Talking Boxing with JOHNNY NOVAK
by
Julius Stecker
12/22 - Hammond, Indiana's top light welterweight prospect
Johnny Novak, 11-1, has a big-time showcase coming up. "I'm going to be the Main Event on the January 21st "SLUG FEST 2005" card at the Star Plaza Theatre in
Merrillville, IN," said the 24-year old Novak. In his last fight, he scored a 5th round DQ win for the Indiana State Association Lightweight Title and this upcoming fight he will be prepared again. "I just know when he does make it, I will be ready for the task," said Novak referring to his promoter Octavius James, CEO of
One in a Million, Inc.
Johnny Novak
Julius Stecker: How is training going, and when is your next fight is
going to be?
Johnny Novak: So far so good. I have been working real hard in training camp and
getting in some great sparring. I'm going to be the Main Event on the
January 21 "SLUG FEST 2005" card at the Star Plaza Theatre in
Merrillville, IN.
Julius Stecker: Is one of your goals to be a world champion one day;
and if so when will you be ready?
Johnny Novak: (Laughing) Of course Julius. That's what it is all about. It's one
thing
to have a State Title. But it has been a dream of mine since I was a
kid and
saw Marty Jakubowski's belt when he first won his. When, Is up to
Octavius
he makes those decisions. I just know when he does make it. I will be
ready
for the task.
Julius Stecker: Looking at yourself as a fighter, what do you feel is
your greatest strength?
Johnny Novak: Well, I'm my on worst critic. I think you would be better asking my trainer Jack Callahan or Octavius. They could probably give you a better answer.
Julius Stecker: Fighting out of the Chicago area, and being a Jr.
welterweight, how does a fight with you and Al
Gonzales sound?
Johnny Novak: : (Pausing) Julius, I don't see that happening now, for a couple of
reasons. First off Al and Octavius are best friends. Plus I'm fighting
at 135 and he is 140. And I learn at lot from Al he has all ready made it
there. As you know his February fight against Diaz is on Showtime. I'm
1 or 2 fights from that. (Laughing) Now if he has the title when my time
comes that is a different story.
Julius Stecker: What fighters do you look up too and or try to take
things from?
Johnny Novak: There are so many. As you know I've watched Marty Jakubowski my
whole
career. Let me see, Oscar De La Hoya, Marvin Hagler are some of the
others.
My favorites to watch now are Winky Wright, Miguel Cotto and David
Diaz.
Julius Stecker: What is your opinion of the Lightweight division
as a whole?
Johnny Novak: Julius, since Floyd Mayweather Jr. left the division Diego
Corrales has
definitely been dominating and that's for sure. But I think there are
some good fighters in this weight class.
Julius Stecker: Tell us about your relationship with One in a Million
Promotions.
Johnny Novak: (Cutting in) I tell you this much, Octavius James and ONE
IN A
MILLION INC. sure makes my job easier. I can TRUST Octavius, and with
me
being in a bad situation before I signed with ONE IN A MILLION it
helps. I
was with a promoter that didn't have the best interest of me or my
family.
Now all I have to do is train and focus on my fights. So I see a big
difference now being with this team and I plan on being with Octavius
as
long as I can.
Julius Stecker: What can the fans and world of boxing expect from you in the coming
year?
Johnny Novak: I first would like to thank you Julius and TalkingBoxing.com for
giving
me this opportunity. Like I said before Octavius James makes the
decisions.
But we do have big plans I know that. One fight at a time though. We
have
January 21 date in front of us. But I would love to have an Angel
Manfredy
or a Jorge Paez fight in 2005. I will make this a coming out year so
the
boxing world can look for Johnny "Kid One In A Million" Novak.
Discuss this at our Boxing Forum
