Interview with "Iceman" John Scully

By Ed Ludwig

26.10.01 - I had the pleasure of speaking with veteran Light Heavyweight contender John Scully (38-11-0 21 KO’s). We discussed his career and future plans plus his rematch in January against Cleveland Nelson that will be the main event on a boxing card on January 26th 2002 in Canada. John spends much of his time working with kids and training young fighters. He is also a spokesman for AIDS Awareness which has him visiting schools to give children information about the disease as well as how it is contracted and ways to keep safe.

Ed Ludwig: What did you think about the comments made by Anthony Mundine regarding his support of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11th?

John Scully: Well, just like anybody I was very disturbed about what he had said. Lou DiBella and Jose Sulaiman were very angry and rightfully so but I did not like Mundine being dropped from the WBC rankings. Guys have done a lot worse and there would only be a top five if all the bad ones were dropped. If Roy Jones said it he would still be rated. Publicity will help Anthony Mundine get his name out as not many people have heard of him.

EL: Anthony Mundine has now apologized, saying he does not support violence. Has the damage been done and how will this affect his career?

JS: It’s like someone being accused of a crime and then finding out he was innocent. There will always be a stigma attached to it. He will always be associated with what he said. I believe he meant what he said regarding the attacks.

EL: You have been a professional fighter for thirteen years, how long will you continue in the ring?

JS: To tell you the truth, I am always healthy and in good shape. I sparred yesterday with a young undefeated fighter for 8 rounds and I was very much
in control. I am thirty-four but I feel much younger. I will keep going as
long as the opportunities are there. I have had forty-nine fights and I am
still very motivated.

EL: In 1996 you went to Germany to challenge Henry Maske for the IBF title did you feel that you had to knock him out to win?

JS: I was talking about this yesterday with someone. I fought Michael Nunn here at home just before the Maske fight. I fought well but still lost the decision and after that my motivation was not there for the Maske fight. I never gave it much thought. I realized that you are at the mercy of the judges and their allegiances to promoters in most cases. As for Michael Nunn, Bob Arum was hyping him for a fight with Roy Jones so it was hard to beat him because a win by me would have derailed those plans.

EL: Many champions from Europe stay in their homeland and never travel abroad to defend their titles, why is that?

JS: In England and Germany boxing is huge. They have no football or basketball to compete with so there is a lot of money to be made. When I fought Graciano Rocchigiani he was paid one million dollars and if we had the fight in the States he would have made forty thousand dollars. They make more in Europe so there is no need to come here.

EL: How long have you known your trainer Russ Anber?

JS: I’ve known Russ since 1988. We met after I beat Otis Grant in the amateurs. We became good friends and I would eventually spar and work with Otis and his brother Howard. Everything just seemed to click between Russ and I and we ended up working together. He knows a lot about the business of boxing.

EL: You fought in Canada this past June, defeating Cleveland Nelson by decision. Did you like Canada?

JS: I really liked it. It was different for some reason. Boxing is more of an event in Canada, not just a show. My fight with Nelson was the best one of the night. I will be having a rematch with him on January 26th at the Hershey Center.

EL: You are a spokesman for AIDS Awareness and you work with kids, how did you get involved with this?

JS: Pretty much as kids go, I’ve always helped them out and I could relate to them. With AIDS Awareness, I had fought Lamar Parks twice as an amateur and we became very good friends. He found out that he had the disease during training for his bout with Gerald McClellan. When Lamar contracted the disease I had to do something.

EL: What are your plans once you hang up the gloves?

JS: I will continue to work with kids and train pro boxers. I am training Liz Mueller and working as an advisor. I will be involved with the sport forever.

EL: You spend a great deal of time working on your website and communicating with your fans. What is the feeling like when you receive e-mail from your fans?

JS: It is an amazing thing. I remember when I was young this fan approached me for an autograph and it felt incredible. I always answer everybody who writes. Once in awhile I get fan letters in the mail and I save them all. They all go into a scrapbook.

EL: Many boxers use their websites more for an advertising tool then actually being involved and communicating with fans, your thoughts on this?

JS: I don’t want to name names but I know guys who are not the same people anymore. Once they make it big they forget where they came from. The spotlight does not last forever. It is hard to respect people like that. Fans make people famous. Part of the reason I got involved in boxing was to be recognized and not just the money.

EL: Your website is conducting a poll, who is the best Heavyweight of all time. Who do you think is the best?

JS: I would say Muhammad Ali. I look at how each fighter would do against the other. It would be sac religious to say Joe Louis could beat Ali. People say Jack Johnson was one of the all time greats. I could see fifty different fighters crushing him.

EL: Boxing writers are saying that Felix Trinidad should retire. Why would they say that considering what he has accomplished?

JS: Reporters do not box so they often don’t understand. Some think that when you lose that there is no point in going on. People say to me, why keep fighting? It’s because I like it. Losing might make Tito want it more the next time around. Reporters say one thing but it’s up to the individual to view himself and decide whether to continue or not. Before each fight I pray that no one gets hurt and that my opponent is at peace with himself. Fighters decide when to quit and they do it on there own terms.

EL: In 1988 you spent a lot of time sparring with Roy Jones preparing for the 1988 Olympic trials. Did you ever think that Roy would become a star?

JS: The first time I saw him I knew he would be. I told my dad that he is going to be a champ one day. He was my dark horse pick. Frankie Liles and Tim Littles were getting most of the press back then and Roy did not get much at all.

EL: Recently there have been new promotions popping up, SRL, Ten Goose and Let’s Get It On, to name a few. Will this make it easier for fighters to sign and get the exposure they need to make themselves known?

JS: I think it will help but the problem is that the USA Network does not have Tuesday Night Fights. ESPN2 has fifty-two dates a year and a promoter has to get their fighter on television to have a chance. SRL has twelve dates booked with ESPN2 but without a contract it will be difficult to succeed. Boxers will end up fighting in arenas with three thousand people and no television exposure. Even being with Don King has no guarantees. He has many fighters that people have never heard of because many of them are way down the totem pole and will never get a chance.

EL: Would you like to say something to your fans?

JS: I am happy to have my fans that support and follow me. Another three or four fights then I hope to be ranked and get a big money fight. Thank you.

Check out the Official Site of John Scully