Talking Boxing with RONALD 'WINKY' WRIGHT
"I love the fans because without them, the press would've overlooked me"
by
Coyote Duran
10/27 - For years the 154 pound division has been a passing proving ground for many of "The Sweet Science's" biggest names. Champions and titlists with names like Hearns, Leonard, Duran (No relation, obviously.), Norris, Trinidad, Vargas, De La Hoya and Mosley have come and gone but today, one particular, oft-overlooked name sits at the top of the list:
Ronald "Winky" Wright. Wright (47-3, 25 KOs), after long years of paying his dues and submitting to an unequalled workman-like ethic, finally secured his dream this past March, defeating former pound-for-pound boss, "Sugar" Shane Mosley to unify the jr. middleweight division.
I spoke with the undisputed champ, via telephone, about how he feels about the IBF stripping him of their respective portion of the title, his preparation for his upcoming rematch defense against Mosley in November, Roy Jones Jr.' and about his plans for the future. Albeit very busy at this time, the champ was warm, accomodating and absolutely candid. Here's what Winky Wright, Undisputed 154 Pound Champion of the World had to say...
RONALD 'WINKY' WRIGHT
Coyote Duran: Firsthand, I'd like to thank you for accomodating me. I know you've been really busy preparing for your upcoming fight against Shane Mosley. How's your training coming along?
Winky Wright: Training's coming along great. Training hard everyday. Everything's falling into place.
Coyote Duran: Three years ago this month, you defeated Robert Frazier to fill the vacant IBF slot. You also went on to defend five more times, the latest being against Shane Mosley this past March. You've been a model representative for the IBF time and time again without fail. How to you feel about the IBF turning around and stripping you of their version of the title, for not taking on Kassim Ouma, when you've satisfied all other mandatories?
It's about proving myself as one of the greatest fighters that ever did it ... I need to fight other great fighters so that's what I'm trying to do right now  |
| Winky Wright |
Winky Wright: I'm disappointed because, like you said, I've satisfied my mandatories sometimes before they were due, you know what I'm saying, before it was even time for me to fight my mandatories. But you know what I'm saying, they knew that this fight was a big fight for me and for them to strip me was....you know. I didn't like that because I thought they'd be behind me for all the stuff I did for them but they did what they did. But it's about becoming a legend now, you know what I mean? I won every belt there is out there, you know what I'm saying? I won the NABF belt, the USBA, the WBO, the WBA, WBC, IBF belts. The belts ain't what it's about for me anymore. It's about proving myself as one of the greatest fighters that ever did it, you know what I mean? And to do that, I need to fight other great fighters so that's what I'm trying to do right now.
Coyote Duran: In regards to the last fight with Shane, how did you handle him so easily?
Winky Wright: I told people that I was a better fighter than Shane, a bigger fighter than Shane, a stronger fighter, but Shane had an opportunity to fight De La Hoya though. You know, he stepped up and beat De la Hoya, ok? That's De La Hoya! De La Hoya's been running from me for a long time. You know, everybody kept dodging me, dipping and dodging me, and wanting to fight everybody else. Shane, I've gotta give him his credit. He stepped up like nobody else would, fought me and he lost, but he still showed the heart of a champion and stepped up.
Coyote Duran: Are you expecting a dramatic change in Mosley's style with Joe Goossen in his corner now?
Winky Wright: You know, I expect him to try a different and dramatic change but you know, Shane Mosley's been a professional for a long time and I don't think Joe Goossen can change a man back to do the things he did as a lightweight, throwing more combinations, in and out. Pretty much, you can't get a man to do more than he can do.
Coyote Duran: For the longest time, you've spoken with confidence as to how, someday, you would be the undisputed champ at 154. You've climbed that mountain successfully. What are your goals now?
Winky Wright: My goals now are to go to 160 after Shane. Hopefully, after I fight Shane Mosley, I could get "Tito" Trinidad. "Tito" looked great coming back against Mayorga and I think that'd be a great fight for the fans 'cause, like I said, De La Hoya don't want to fight me and you know, me and (Undisputed World Middleweight Champion) Bernard (Hopkins) talked about it, but it ain't happening so I think that's the main thing, like I told you, I want to fight "Tito" and then, you know, Hopkins and De la Hoya, if they want!
Coyote Duran: A while ago, we were treated to some of the discussions regarding you, perhaps, taking on Hopkins for his undisputed middleweight title. I understand that you'd still love to make this happen. Is this still an option for the Hopkins camp?
Winky Wright: Well, I think so, but right now, I understand, you know, they're trying to make their money, you know what I mean? And they, you know, if they could get to De La Hoya or "Tito", they could make 10, 15 million then, I don't blame 'em! This is a sport where we're supposed to make the most money we can and fight the best fighters we can. You know, I feel that I am one of the best fighters out there and if me and Bernard can do it than it would be great! And I think it would be good for the fans.
Coyote Duran: In your incredibly excellent record, you only have 3 losses, one of them being to Fernando Vargas. Since your long term plans are to, perhaps, go to 160, would you be interested in avenging your loss to him at that weight?
Winky Wright: I was thinking about fighting Fernando Vargas but now I have no interest in fighting Fernando Vargas now. I was thinking about it, but you know, Fernando Vargas kept dipping and dodging me and saying this and saying that about me but really, he just kept dodging me! But now that I am The Man, now he's wanting to come back and maybe do it like we did, but now, I don't wanna touch him.
Coyote Duran: How many more years does Winky Wright plan on fighting?
Winky Wright: It depends. As long as I'm on top, then I'm staying in the game.As long as there's a challenge out there for me. If not, then I can go on, you know what I'm saying?
Coyote Duran: In the now, putting aside any monetary considerations, if you could ask for any fighter, today, as your ultimate and ideal opponent, who would that be?
|
I was thinking about fighting Fernando Vargas but now I have no interest ... I want to fight "Tito"! Like I said, I like "Tito". You know, I like his style |
| Winky Wright |
Winky Wright: I want to fight "Tito"! Like I said, I like "Tito". You know, I like his style. You know, I'd want that fight but I'd also want Oscar De La Hoya because of the name, you know what I mean? It's his legend, you know? But right now, my biggest fight for me, I think I'd rather have "Tito" first.
Coyote Duran: I hope this isn't a sensitive topic, but since your promotional arrangement with Roy Jones Jr. has lapsed, how has your relationship with Roy been lately?
Winky Wright: Well, Roy is still my man, you know what I'm saying? You know, friends are friends, no matter what. When you are on top or when you're on the bottom. You know that Roy had 2 bad losses, but by the way, he's still my man. He's still part of my team and , you know, we'll always be friends. I love Roy and, you know, without Roy, I wouldn't be here.
Coyote Duran: With that, I think we'll draw this one to a close. This last question is all yours. Do you have any parting words for your fans?
Winky Wright: Alright. Just keep supporting me. I love the fans because without them, the press would've overlooked me. But the fans made the writers and made the people acknowledge Winky Wright and if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be anywhere. So keep supporting me and I'm gonna keep making 'em proud.
Coyote Duran: As I'll keep supporting you as well, Champ. I love your work and you've been very underappreciated in the past and I'm very glad that you're finally getting your just due. I'd like to thank you for your time, Wink. I know you're very, very busy with your training so I'll let you get back to it! Good luck in November!
Winky Wright: Thank you, man! I appreciate it!
I along with TalkingBoxing.com would like to thank the very generous Winky Wright for taking the time to chat and for this terrific opportunity to speak to a fantastic champion!
Coyote Duran can be reached at theboxingguy@yahoo.com
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