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Boxing Legend, Vinny Paz
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Julius Stecker: How is training going?
Vinny Paz: Man, everything is going great.
Julius Stecker: What do you know about your next opponent?
Vinny Paz: Pudwill is a good all-around fighter. I just got a tape of his fight against Sven Ottke. We all know that Ottke is a tough guy to beat, and this guy gave him a tough fight. I would say he is a good, not great fighter.
Julius Stecker: Looking back at your past, tell me what it was like, when you won the Lightweight Championship with your victory over Greg Haugen?
Vinny Paz: At that time, winning that world title was the greatest thing in the world. It was not about money at all. I felt as if I had just reached the top of the Mount Everest after that fight.
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Vinny Paz: That was real special, because I was killing myself to make Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight. All of the boxing people were writing me off, saying I could not do it. Saying I was knocking on the inside of the coffin, but looking back, Dele was a tough strong fighter and I managed to beat him.
Obviously after that, I had the car accident of which I broke my neck, and that was quite serious to say the least, but to me, fighters get knocked down, but real champions get up. That is what I am a champion. It was special for me to come back and go on to be an inspiration to so many people.
Julius Stecker: Looking back at that injury, I mean doctors said you may not walk again much less fight, how did you overcome such odds?
Vinny Paz: One thing I have always said and I really truly meant it, is that I was going to make my comeback happen or I was going to die trying. I was not going to be denied.
Julius Stecker: You would eventually move on and up in weight and you would beat the great Roberto Duran not once but twice, how was that experience?
Vinny Paz: I have mixed emotions about that. I love Roberto Duran and when I was coming up, I truly looked up to him. He is one of the greatest fighters of all-time. In fact I was at his 50th birthday party in Panama, and that was very special to me. When we fought he was like 42 or 43, at that time I still felt strong and young. The first time I stepped in the ring and I looked across at him, I said to myself, "I am in the ring with the great Roberto Duran." It was pretty crazy. I went on to beat him twice and it really was no big deal. I noticed in our second fight that he definitely was showing his age.
Julius Stecker: You fought Roy Jones Jr. in 1996, tell me about that and what do you think about him as a fighter?
Vinny Paz: I have one thing to say about that, I fought the Heavyweight Champion of the world, what the f*** was I thinking. I am 5'8" on a good day. That said... he is an unbelievable talent and a great fighter.
Julius Stecker: What do you think about your chances of getting into the boxing Hall of Fame?
Vinny Paz: To be honest with you Julius, I don't even think about that stuff. If for any reason I do get in, it will be because I gave my best effort for the people for over 20 years.
Julius Stecker: You have given fight fans great memories for over 20 years, to you what are your greatest moments?
Vinny Paz: It is really hard to narrow it down. There are so many. When I won the US National Title at the age of 18 on ABC Wide World of Sports. When I fought Joe Frazier Jr. in front of 15,000 people at the sold-out Providence Civic Center, my world titles, and coming back from my neck injury. They all have their special place.
Julius Stecker: What can boxing fans expect from Vinny Paz in his last professional fight?
Vinny Paz: Balls to the Wall and if you want to get politically correct, Intestinal Fortitude for the Walls, but I Like Balls to the Walls.
TalkingBoxing.com would like to thank Vinny Paz for taking time out of his busy day and training schedule to talk with us. We wish you the best of luck on March 27th and hope you get your 50th win!!!!