Talking Boxing with RUBIN WILLIAMS
Williams plans to, "box his ears off and crack him hard every now and then"
by Luke Callahan
2/23 - Persistence and winning. It's a simple formula that has paid off for a talented youngster named Rubin Williams. The Detroit, Michigan native gets a shot at IBF super middleweight champ Jeff Lacy, March 5th on SHOWTIME. When Rubin's manager John Carlisle told him about the title shot after a seventh win in a row in late-January, Williams took it in stride. "I'm working real hard even though I just came off a fight. Four weeks notice is not a whole bunch of notice for a world title fight against Jeff Lacy."

When asked about holding any advantages over the champ, Williams, who owns a 1-2 amateur mark against Lacy, realizes he had the most resistance in comparison. Williams doesn't want that as a crutch, but wants it noted. "I don't have any major advantages," Williams said. "Lacy had no money or personal problems as a pro and that makes training a lot easier. He's been brought along by big business boxing and has gotten everything he's needed."

Having seemingly gone that extra mile, this could be the seed that will drive this young man to upset the champion on March 5th. If not, maybe his sole loss back in June of 2003 will light his 'fire'. "I know how bad it feels to get my ass kicked in public. He's thinking that he's never going to find out. That's what I thought too, Williams said. "He doesn't know and he probably believes all the hype about him. I know better. I'm going to share my worst nightmare with him."

TalkingBoxing.com caught up with the IBU champion for his thoughts on his upcoming showdown!

RUBIN "MR. HOLLYWOOD" WILLIAMS

TalkingBoxing: Hey Rubin, thanks for taking time to answer a few questions...

Rubin Williams: No problem, Luke.

TalkingBoxing: How are things going in general...

Rubin Williams: Everything is going good, man. I've been working hard and fighting pretty often. I feel good.

TalkingBoxing: You landed this big fight..When did you find out and were you already in camp for your January 28th bout with Aaron Norwood, or was this something you found out afterwards?

Rubin Williams: Oh man, I found out after the Norwood fight! My manager had done the deal the week before but didn't tell me because he didn't want me looking ahead. I guess that's cool, but now I gotta wonder what he might sign me up for before I fight Lacy! [Laughs]

TalkingBoxing: Take us through some of your preperations for your IBF title fight with Jeff Lacy in March...What does your workout consist of and how much road work are you doing?

Rubin Williams: I'm here in Phoenix and got here the 5th of February. I'm working real hard even though I just came off a fight. Four weeks notice is not a whole bunch of notice for a world title fight against Jeff Lacy. I run five miles in the morning and then I go to the gym for a couple of hours. In the afternoon I work the bags and spar.

TalkingBoxing: Who have you been sparring with and who will be in your corner the night of the fight?

Rubin Williams: I got Karl Willis in camp and he's a good motivator cause he works right along side of me. I get some rounds from Karl and Jermaine Woods. Next week I have Darnell Wilson coming in for about 10 days. Sparring is a big part of my training but I'm working on conditioning more than ever. I haven't talked to Emanuel since I been down here, but last I heard he was working the corner.

TalkingBoxing: Boxers begin to slow it down before the fight at different times...What will your schedule be the week before the fight, considering you had only a month in between your last fight and this title fight?

Rubin Williams: Of course I'll stop sparring and start slowing down and building up strength. But I'll still be working on my wind.

TalkingBoxing: Lacy fought in December and had a difficult time with Omar Sheika...Is there anything you can pull out of that fight to help you prepare or even help you in the ring on March 5th?

Rubin Williams: Omar is a scrapper and gave Jeff more than he wanted. I think Omar would have done better if he had boxed more. I'm a boxer first and that's what I'm bringing to the fight. I got to show some of my power early so that Lacy knows better than to just try and walk me down.

"Box his ears off and crack him hard every now and then"

TalkingBoxing: Lacy has some serious power, what do you plan on doing to neutralize it...

Rubin Williams: Box his ears off and crack him hard every now and then.

TalkingBoxing: Lacy has also been known to brawl a bit, would you stay out of that situation and box from the outside or would you engage with him?

Rubin Williams: I'm bringing my boxing skills to this fight but I know I'll have to dig in at times. No big deal.

TalkingBoxing: You fought him three times as a youngster, winning once, what kind of changes have you both made since then and tell us about those three fights and how you think they went...

Rubin Williams: Lacy looks like a tough guy and in the amateurs that can affect the judging. Jeff was going to go to the Olympics pretty much guaranteed. I thought I was a better boxer than Jeff Lacy then and I feel the same way now. I'm just too good looking. That's why they call me 'Hollywood'. [Laughs] This time it will be seen worldwide on SHOWTIME and the truth will be known. I hope to shine.

TalkingBoxing: I know you got a few inches on Lacy and are roughly the same age, but in your eyes, what is your biggest advantage over Lacy in this fight?

Rubin Williams: I don't have any major advantages. He's had no money or personal problems as a pro and that makes training a lot easier. He's been brought along by big business boxing and has gotten everything he's needed. I got my God given talent and I'm bringing it all to the ring. I know he's got the confidence just by the way he's been managed and promoted. Our opponents have been similar as far as our last five, at least record wise. The only edge I might have is the fact I know how bad it feels to get my ass kicked in public. I have a real bad loss on my record and I can make all the excuses I can think of, but he can't imagine how bad it feels. He's thinking that he's never going to find out. That's what I thought too. But I don't want to experience that again. I'm going to hope that this gives me an edge 'cause I been there and don't like it. He doesn't know and he probably believes all the hype about him. I know better. I'm going to share my worst nightmare with him.

TalkingBoxing: Now I didn't see your last fight with Aaron Norwood, but I read your post-fight comments and you were very harsh for taking a 100-89 unanimous decision. Why is that? Most would be happy with a wide decision win, but you graded yourself, I believe, a "C"...

Rubin Williams: I dropped Norwood in the first round and should have jumped on him and finished him off. We both knew who was going to win the fight as soon as his butt hit the canvass. I let him go into survival mode and that made it tough for me to get him out of there. My corner kept calling for me to box and that made for an ugly fight. Nobody wants to see a fighter box a runner. So it wasn't so much the fight as it was the style. It was a very long 10 rounds, man.

"I am excited about this opportunity and I'll be ready to take advantage of it"

TalkingBoxing: Anything you want to add that I haven't asked you about?

Rubin Williams: Only that I am excited about this opportunity and I'll be ready to take advantage of it. There will be no style problems because Jeff isn't going to run. He'll be right there to hit. And I plan to hit him hard and often.

TalkingBoxing: Thanks a bunch Rubin and best wishes on March 5th!!!

Rubin Williams: Thanks man.

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