Kronk Gym's Ali Bashir Talks About Andre Purlett and Lennox Lewis

By Elisa Harrison
BraggingRightsCorner.com

09.09 - On the eve of Andre Purlett's fight against Lionel Butler at Level Nightclub in trendy South Beach, Miami, Florida, we had an opportunity to speak with Kronk Gym's trainer James Ali Bashir regarding the Guyanese heavyweight's development. We also asked how the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world was doing these days.

This is what Ali Bashir had to say...

QUESTION: What made Emanuel Steward notice Andre Purlett and want to get involved with his training?

ALI BASHIR: It happened when Andre came to Lennox Lewis' camp for a period of two days, that's when Manny took notice of Andre and the connection was made. It was his willingness to learn; his willingness to listen and follow instructions that captured Manny's attention. He took an interest in Purlett and here we are today...

QUESTION: What has it been like working with Purlett?

ALI BASHIR: Well, we have only had two fights together, but we feel Andre is a work in progress. He has gotten as far as he has on raw talent... We have been working on his balance, a lot of other technical adjustments that we have been working on, he will only get better.

QUESTION: Andre was telling me how much it means to him to have Manny in his corner...

ALI BASHIR: Yes, it is a definite plus to have a man like Emanuel Steward in your corner. I know first hand, because I have been a trainer for thirty years, with Manny for the last eight, and I know what it has done for my career to be associated with him... So yes, having Steward in one's corner is a big plus...

QUESTION: How is Lennox Lewis doing these days?

ALI BASHIR: Lennox is cooling his heels, trying to decide what his next move will be...

QUESTION: Is it going to be Vitali Klitschko on December 6th? Is that fight a done deal?

ALI BASHIR: I really don't see that fight happening December 6th... The fight will take place, but I don't see it happening on that date.. Early 2004 is more like it.

QUESTION: There's been talk of Lewis retiring. Do you see that happening?

ALI BASHIR: I don't think he will.. He is a fighter and I feel that as such, he will continue to fight. He has never ducked anyone, he has always satisfied his mandatories... Lennox Lewis is a fighter, can't deny him that.

QUESTION: There were flaws exposed against Vitali, do you agree?

ALI BASHIR: Well, yes, there were flaws... But you must keep in mind that Lennox was told Kirk Johnson was out, (on an injury), and there would be no fight. He was under that impression for three days, during which time, he went back to living a "normal" life... It was three days later that the Vitali fight was worked out and I feel that those three days might have thrown him off balance... But he still won, and convincingly in our eyes. Vitali and his corner knew when the doctor came to check his eye, that things looked bad, they were real docile about it, and then when the fight was stopped they got all excited, that was all show...

QUESTION: Back to Andre ... what is the plan for him?

ALI BASHIR: We feel he will be ready for a world title shot within the next year and a half or two years. He should definitely be ready then. Tomorrow we will take another step in his development and towards a championship shot.

Stay tuned for Andre Purlett (36-2, 33 KOs) vs Lionel Butler (39-11, 35 KOs) and Audley Harrison (11-0, 7 KOs) vs Quinn Navarre (30-10-1, 20 KOs) ... ESPN2 Tuesday Night Fights Edition, September 6, live at 10 PM from Level Nightclub in trendy South Beach, Miami, Florida.

We wish to thank Mr. Ali Bashir and we extend our best wishes to Andre Purlett and his team, as well as the rest of the cast of this evening's extravaganza.