Interview: Ray Austin
Ike Enwereuzor / Jacboxing.com
16.11.01 - This is an interview
with heavyweight contender Ray Austin of Cleveland,
OH now (16-3) 13KO's who I ran into at Kingsway
Boxing in New York City as he help Jameel McCline
get ready for Goofi Whitaker. Austin never had any
amateur experience and began his .In his last fight
July 20, on the heavyweight Explosion at Caesars
Palace, in Las Vegas, Austin suffered a ninth round
from Attila Levin. He floored Levin in first round
but he recovered from the first round knock down
to win Austin. Austin climbs into the ring again
on November 30 against heavyweight Jimmy Thunder
in Reno, NV. This is what Autin had to say....
How is training coming along?
Things are going great.
Your impression of Jimmy Thunder?
Only seen him fight a few times. I don't underestimate
any fighter. He's popular so he must be doing something
right if he's that known. Everybody knows him.
How is your sparring with Jameel
McCline going?
It's going great. I have been working with him for
about 5 weeks now. Jameel is a very god fighter,
he can move like a 135 pounder not stiff like other
big heavyweights looking for one punch. He's in
shape and has various skills that will take him
a long way. You'll feel his power when you get hit.
Not just jab or right hand, he got it all. He'll
surprise Whitaker.
What made you decide to Box?
When I was young I was always around friends in
the game. I use to go into the gym to mess around
and stuff. I use to fight a lot on Streets. When
I was 16 years old I decided to . There was a guy
in the neigborhood who use to he can beat me. I
had to prepare training hard he was tough but I
stepped up the challenge. About three punches I
knocked him out, It felt was really a good feeling.
The trainers started to teach me how to take my
time. I tried a lot of gyms and watching fights
on TV. I said to myself I can do this so I started
to pursue my dreams. I was into a lot of games like
basketball, football, gymastics.
What can you tell us about your
first fight in the ring?
I had no amateur experience. I lost my first first,
the guy I fought was more active and had a lot of
experience but I just came out of the Streets. I
was close to winning that fight. I said if I can
get in shape then I can do better so that motivated
me.
Please, tell us about your sparring
with former WBO heavyweight champ Herbie Hide?
We had for sure some wars. I got out of the plane
they wanted me to spar, he caught me with a good
shot and I got dropped by him. Next time, I came
back and revenge. We had a wonderful workout together
Describe your last fight against
Levin?
I was very disappointed, I hurt my hand in the first
round so I couldn't finish him when I dropped him
in one. I have been having this hand problem for
over a year. When I sparred it felt better untill
the real fight. I would have stopped him if I had
a good hand. I think the Ref. Corez was bias on
that fight too. I felt very uncomfortable. He hurt
me with body shots at the end but Ref. stopped the
fight even though I wasn't in trouble.
What do you want fans to know
about your upcoming fight with Thunder?
I'll put things in prospective. I'm doing better
now.
Your favorite fighter out there?
Myself
