TalkingBoxing with "CONTENDER" JESSE BRINKLEY
"You can expect to see me knocking people out and winning a world title"
by
Julius Stecker
3/16 - NBC’s “The Contender” has been rated a success by numerous fight enthusiasts, clearly and easily outdistancing its predecessor FOX’s The Next Great Champ, in appeal and in quality. The difference that has made this show truly special has been its ensemble of talented fighters such as middleweight contender
Jesse Brinkley, 24-1 with 16KOs.
Brinkley was last seen this past Thursday beating seasoned veteran Jonathan Reid in a very entertaining scrap. Early on in the show Brinkley has won over numerous fight fans world wide with his toughness and guile. Brinkley is hoping this show will be a spring board to bigger and better things in his career. "I’m probably going to stay at Middleweight, but I can’t say for certain," Brinkley said. "I want to be where the action is and I want to win a title. So, I guess it kind of depends on where I get the shot." TalkingBoxing.com caught up with this exciting Contender to get his take on the show, his career, and much more.
JESSE BRINKLEY
TalkingBoxing.com: Jesse, how has the whole Contender experience been?
Jesse Brinkley: Being a part of the Contender on NBC is a great experience. This is really a dream come true. You never dream in a million years that you are going to work with people like Stallone and Sugar Ray. You know, when you go to bed at night something like this never crosses your mind. It is really like a dream come true.
TalkingBoxing.com: You are pretty accomplished as a fighter already, what in your opinion was your biggest win in your career so far?
Jesse Brinkley: Winning the APBA Western U.S. middleweight title by knocking out Cleveland Corder (who was 28-1) at the Coeur d’Alene Casino in Corder’s home town of Worley, Idaho, was my biggest win so far.
TalkingBoxing.com: You have fought at Middleweight and Jr. Middleweight much of your career, where do you see yourself in the future?
"I want to be where the action is and I want to win a title"
Jesse Brinkley: I’m probably going to stay at Middleweight, but I can’t say for certain. I want to be where the action is and I want to win a title. So, I guess it kind of depends on where I get the shot.
TalkingBoxing.com: Speaking of Middleweight/Jr. Middleweight, who will win between Winky Wright and Felix Trinidad?
Jesse Brinkley: Hard to say, they are both great fighters.
TalkingBoxing.com: Would you want to fight the winner?
"all bravado aside I think I would win"
Jesse Brinkley: Of course. I’d take that fight in a minute, and all bravado aside I think I would win.
TalkingBoxing.com: You mentioned you would like to fight Oscar De La Hoya, is that still a dream fight for you?
Jesse Brinkley: Yea, I mean Oscar is a legend and I would love to fight him. Oscar remains one of the best fighters in the world, and I’d like to fight him while he is still at that level.
TalkingBoxing.com: What was your opinion of the other contestants fighting abilities?
Jesse Brinkley: There are some really great fighters on the Contender. And, these guys are really hungry and they know they are fighting in front of the whole world. This kind of situation makes guys really dig deep. I’m certain there will be some incredible battles in the course of this show.
TalkingBoxing.com: What will be the difference between this show and Oscar's show?
Jesse Brinkley: You know, I don’t know because I didn’t watch Oscar’s show. But, I can tell you that Mark Burnett and team do everything first class. The Contender is in a league of its own. Nobody has ever seen this kind of boxing mixed with the true stories behind the fighters. I think America is going to love the Contender.
TalkingBoxing.com: What can boxing expect from Jesse Brinkley in the future?
Jesse Brinkley: You can expect to see me knocking people out and winning a world title.
Talkingboxing.com would like to wish a special thanks to Mark D. Schopper for helping with this interview!
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