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Top Contender, Verno Phillips
Julius Stecker: How is training going right now Verno
Verno Phillips: Training is going good
Julius Stecker: When is your next fight and who are you fighting?
Verno Phillips: I am fighting on September 5th in Las Vegas on ESPN 2, against Michael Lerma.
Julius Stecker: You are coming off a dominate win over Bronco McKart, how did that victory make you feel?
Verno Phillips: Well it made me feel that I am not getting the respect that I should be getting, I have been in the game a while and I have not been getting my just due. When I beat McKart (ESPN2 analyst) Max Kellerman said he felt sorry for Bronco, which implied to me that I get no credit for beating a good opponent, I get no credit when I blow top contenders out, and for as long as I have been in the game I should be receiving some respect.
Julius Stecker: Would you want a fight against Winky Wright?
Verno Phillips: I will fight who ever they put in front of me, give me Winky Wright, give me anybody.
Julius Stecker: How many more years do you plan on continuing fighting?
Verno Phillips: I don't know, I have never been knocked out, and I am still very healthy, so I really don't know.
Julius Stecker: You are a former world champion and you have beaten some very good tough fighters, do you feel sometimes the boxing public underrates your talents as a boxer?
Verno Phillips: I have a thing, I believe I am somebody, I am former 2-time world champion but I never had the right people to blow me up, now I have Sugar Ray Leonard promoting me so I hope that will change. But I have always been underrated and the underdog, so it doesn't really bother me.
Julius Stecker: What do you think makes you an effective fighter?
Verno Phillips: My natural ability, I was gifted to be able to beat somebody fighting wise inside the ring.
Julius Stecker: Do you want a rematch vs Kassim Ouma?
Verno Phillips: If it is money fight or a 12 rounder. When I first fought him I did not know who he was, and I wasn't really prepared. I wasn't active for like 2 years, and my promoter then Ron Katz told me to go in there and fight this guy, I had no film, or anything like that. I just wanted to get back in the ring at that time, I was willing to take on anybody.
Julius Stecker: What is your take on De La Hoya-Mosley II, who wins and why, and would you like to fight the winner?
Verno Phillips: May the best man win, they are both great fighters. I would love a shot at the winner, I feel I have more then earned it, De La Hoya fights a guy like Yori Boy Campas and makes like 10 million and who has Campas fought and beat over the last few years to earn that fight.
Julius Stecker: What can boxing fans expect from Verno Phillips over the next few years?
Verno Phillips: Hopefully, the champion of the world again.
As always, TalkingBoxing.com would like to thank Verno Phillips for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with us and we will be rooting for a big win in his next fight over Micheal Lerma.