Talking Boxing with JAMEEL 'BIG TIME' McCLINE
"I would say I am in the best shape of my life"
by
Julius Stecker
11/2 - Coming off a April 15th knockout of Wayne Llewelyn on Showtime, top rated IBF heavyweight contender
Jameel McCline wants to make an even bigger splash, this time on HBO PPV's "Struggle for Supremacy" card, November 13th. McCline, 31-3-3, will get a second title shot, this time against IBF champ Chris Byrd. Unlike his first attempt, a loss at the hands of WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2002, McCline hasn't over-trained and is more confident about his chances for a world title this time around. "Anytime you get a chance to fight for the heavyweight title it is special. I will be bringing extreme confidence into this fight," said McCline. Since 2002, McCline has been on a tear taking out contenders Cedric Boswell and Charles Shufford by knockout. With a 6 foot, 6 inch frame, McCline wants to impose his power on Byrd, who is a slickster giving up five inches and a possible 60 pounds. "I will try to impose my size and my skill on him," said McCline. Read on for our quick one-on-one with the IBF #1 contender!
JAMEEL "BIG TIME" McCLINE
Julius Stecker: How is training going?
Jameel McCline: Training is going excellent; I would say I am in
the best shape of my life.
I would say I am in
the best shape of my life  |
| Jameel McCline |
Julius Stecker: Personally tell us what this fight means to you?
Jameel McCline: Personally, I would say this fight means a lot.
Anytime you get a chance to fight for the Heavyweight
Title it is special. I will be bringing extreme
confidence into this fight.
Julius Stecker: With Chris Byrd being a defensive southpaw
fighter, do you think his style will present any kind
of problems?
Jameel McCline: I don’t think his style will play a part in what
happens, but if it does I have done everything in my
power to prepare and be ready for whatever he brings.
Julius Stecker: Do you feel your size and strength will be the
difference in the fight?
Jameel McCline: Obviously I think it will, I will try to impose
my size and my skill on him.
Julius Stecker: If you win the title will you unify the title?
Jameel McCline: That is not my goal right now; my focus is on
Chris Byrd. He is too good of an opponent to look
past.
Julius Stecker: Is it one of your goals to be considered one of
the best Heavyweights of recent memory?
Jameel McCline: You know I never really thought of it, but it
should be everybody’s goal to be the best at anything
they get into.
Julius Stecker: What can we expect from you on Nov 13th against
Chris Byrd?
Jameel McCline: The beast is here and the beast is going to
be taking the Title!
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