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Leo Nolan, 20-0 |
Leo Nolan:
TalkingBoxing: With Bates being in with Kirk Johnson in his last fight, what did you take away from the fight with him?
Nolan: Bates was real strong. He caught me a couple of times and I had never been hit that hard before. They was glancing blows to the head and not the chin. I was surprised at the strength. But I rely on my boxing ability and my defense to avoid close calls on those wild shots. I suppose I just came out of that fight hungry for a fight with a top twenty heavyweight. I haven't lost more than five rounds in twenty fights and I want to step it up.
TalkingBoxing: Was this your most meaningful fight as a pro?
Nolan: No. Not to take anything away from Jeremy Bates, but my fight with Julius Long was the most meaningful fight for me. Julius doesn't have the skills of most of my opponents, but he is 7 foot two! I'm a small heavyweight and when my manager set that fight up, I didn't like it. I thought he was just too big. My manager said that size wouldn't matter no more after that fight...He was right.
TalkingBoxing: Does Team Cannon have any plans of fighting on ESPN again?
Nolan: That's up to ESPN and my manager. I hope so.
TalkingBoxing: How do you feel you are progressing as a fighter?
Nolan: I think I'm ready. I will not become much better at boxing than I am right now. My manager keeps talking about strength and experience, but I think I'm ready for anyone.
TalkingBoxing: What's up next for Leo Nolan? Is there any fight out there you would like to make?
Nolan: I'd like to kick Joe Mesi's ass just for the fun of it. But then I'd like Tyson. Just to get the recognition that my boxing skills deserve. Of course, I won't get Tyson and I'm sure Mesi doesn't want his ass kicked. So, I'll wait on my manager to keep things going.
TalkingBoxing: Any thoughts on Team Cannon losing Rubin Williams as a member?
Nolan: I still haven't been told what's up with that. I see Rubin's picture is gone from the website, but (manager) John Carlisle hasn't told us what he's going to do. I'm ready to move on with or without the team.
Rydell Booker, 20-0 |
Rydell Booker:
TalkingBoxing: How would you grade your last performance against Arthur Williams on ESPN?
Booker: Better than you would have thought after hearing Max Kellerman. He's a funny guy. Boxrec has me as the # 21 cruiserweight in the world. There are no young guys ahead of me! 14 of the 20 ahead of me are either in their 30's or 40's! How can I be criticized for fighting a 37 year old former champ? I watched the tape and heard Teddy say that Williams was going to drag me into the later rounds and drown me. After the fight Max says I shouldn't have paced myself in the middle rounds! Can't win for losing! I heard them talk about my physique....well I'd like to be Michael Grant.....NOT, well thanks anyway, Teddy. I just want to be me.
TalkingBoxing: You came out strong in the first three rounds and then you began throwing less punches as the fight went on until the last couple of rounds, was it something Williams was doing or did you tire in the mid rounds?
Booker: Like I said, I'm 22 years old and I'm fighting a former world champ who knocked O'Neil Bell down three or four months ago and won every round before the ref stopped the fight. I'm up three rounds after three rounds and I decide to be careful. I'd rather be criticized for the way I win than how I lose!
TalkingBoxing: Now that you fought in front of a national audience, do you want to make this a habit?
Booker: Of course! Gimme James Toney!!
TalkingBoxing: Do you plan to stay at 190 or move up or down?
Booker: Whatever my manager says. I got to 20-0 listening to him.
TalkingBoxing: Are there any fights plans on the table?
Booker: I want O'Neil Bell, Wayne Braithewaite and James Toney. In that order.
TalkingBoxing: Any thoughts on losing Rubin Williams from TeamCannon?
Booker: We haven't heard what's going on with that. Mr. Carlisle is supposed to tell us next week.
TalkingBoxing.com would like to thank both Leo Nolan and Rydell Booker for finding time for this interview. We wish you guys success in your upcoming fights!