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08.08.2003
Interview with Moose Lewis
Julius Stecker: How long has the IBU been active?
Moose Lewis: Since 1996
Julius Stecker: How does the IBU compete with some of the bigger more well known sanctioning bodies?
Moose Lewis: After 7 years, we are just beginning to get respect. One thing we do is try to have the most competitive fights we can for the titles and champions that will defend them regularly. Our rules state that a champion must defend a minimum of 3 times in a 12 month period to keep the title. It keeps the IBU name out there and keeps with our trademark slogan - "Where true champions fight!". We are getting some great champions now and the other sanctioning bodies champions will have to notice us. We have Shannon Briggs as heavyweight champion, Scott Pemberton (interview) as super middlewieght champion (who will be having a rematch with Omar Sheika), Gary Balletto (interview) as lightweight champion, just to name a few. And these are fighters who are ready and able to take on the other champs. Briggs is looking for a Tyson, Holyfield, Byrd or Klitscko fight-and he is ready. Pemberton is deserves a shot to unify our belt with the WBO or WBC belt. We feel the fighter makes the belt and as long as we have fighting champions, we will get our share fo the best fighters. Look before the end of the year, a major former world champion will be fighting for one of our world titles if he wins his next tv fight.
Julius Stecker: What efforts does the IBU make to get legitimate contenders and champions?
Moose Lewis: We make every possible effort to get "legitimate" contenders and champions, however, boxing politics sometimes gets in the way. We will keep trying and sooner or later, we will unify titles with the other sanctioning bodies. However, we do have a policy that is a "king of the hill" mentality, where we think the title should be available at all times to a qualified boxer to fight for regardless of affiliation. We have worked with other sanctioning bodies in the past ans will continue to do so in the future. One thing that helps us is our championship belt, which is the most expensively made one in the business. Fighters love it and actually push their management for the opportunity to fight for our belt. It is handmade, engraved-not cast like the others, genuine gold with double leather and five plates. Nothing like it in the business.
Julius Stecker: The IBU was part of a pretty impressive card on July 25th, was that a step in right direction for the IBU?
Moose Lewis: Absolutely. Sheika/Pemberton was the fight of the year and there is a rematch clause. I think that this will be a money fight and on HBO or Showtime. This will help us out tremenduosly with getting more high profiled fights and the best possible fighters for our titles.
Julius Stecker: What would you say to the naysayers in regards to the IBU organization?
Moose Lewis: We are the boxers sanctioning body. We do everything we can to get the fights together. No other organization does that. The fighters love us and every venue we have gone to loves us. Watch our fights and see the competitiveness. See the honest dealings we have with all parties. Look at our reasonable fees. We are the rising star in boxing.
Julius Stecker: What are the positives that the IBU exemplifies?
Moose Lewis: Low sanctioning fees, a hardworking office that works with the venues, tv, promoters, managers, etc to make the best possible fight happen. We even work with promoters to have a strong undercard so that the fans get the best possible show. finally, the biggest postive is that the door is open to ALL qualified boxers to fight for our titles.
Julius Stecker: Do you feel the IBU does not get a fair shake in the boxing community in regards to its legitmacy?
Moose Lewis: Not from the media. Depending on the writer or announcer, half the time we are ignored. Most referess and judges and commissions know of us and what we try to do and give us an unbiased opportunity but it is a daily struggle. We always try to work with the neysayers and hope to at least get them to keep an open mind and mention us and things are slowly improving. We will eventually get a fair shake.
Julius Stecker: Where do you see the IBU within the next 10 years?
Moose Lewis: Well, if i could see the future, I would be a very rich man (laughing) but if we continue with the same direction, working with promoters like Bobby Hitz, Jimmy Burchfield, American Top Team and others, we will be mentioned with the upper tier of sanctioning bodies. In europe a poll was taken and we came in 6th place as far as sanctioning bodies, so I was pleased with that. I think we will be a household name in boxing and a time with title fights on a weekly basis.
TalkingBoxing.com would like to thank IBU President, Moose Lewis for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with
us.
