Another 12 Rounds with Yusaf Mack Author: Mark Phillips

Fights:32 Wins:28 Loss:2 Draws:2 N/C:0

1. Another great win against DeAbrey Abron, that makes 5 in a row, many see you as a genuine title contender now, what’s next?

Yeah Abron is underestimated he is a strong guy, yeah his record is not so good, but we watched a few of his fights over in Europe and he was unlucky to have been stopped in both those fights, and he also took WBO champ Zsolt Erdei the distance, giving him a few problems on the way, so we are very pleased with that win. By all accounts he had good preparation, he was training with Kelly Pavlik’s trainer Jack Loew and he came to fight. I followed the game plan drew him in and then took him out, I am hitting hard these days and there are not going to many who can sit with me, I would have taken Henry out if it wasn’t for my injury to my left arm, the left hook was missing that night, but it is back now as that was the money shot that took out Abron. What’s next, well I would love a title shot, I think Zsolt Erdei is the weak link, he has had the title too long defending against nobodies, it's about time he stepped up and fought a true contender, even if I have to go over to Germany and fight him in his own backyard, fine, bring it on. Unfortunately they probably won’t take the fight, but I would fight anyone in the top 10. I have heard names like Elvir Muriqi and Omar Sheika being talked about as my next opponents, not really the fight I want but I need to stay busy.

2. You and your trainer John Tandy have your camps up at altitude in California, how is that going?

I love it, it is like my second home, J and his family are my family, in regards to the facility it is perfect, the runs are great, no disturbances, the gym is great and has everything we need, obviously the training is still the best, and I get great sparring in LA at the Wild Card and Fortunes gym, and then when all is done I like to go and relax in the hot tub, we use the local hotel resort Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, which has superb facilities, pool, hot tub, and the best massages, great place to relax, and rest them tired muscles.

3. There is a big fight tonight between one of your victims Chris Henry and Shaun George, who is your pick for the fight?

Well Shaun is a friend of mine and also he is signed with DiBella the same as me, so I want Shaun to win, I think he has the ability to out box Henry, but he has to be careful, it should be a great fight. I was talking to my trainer John about it yesterday and he thinks that Henry will win by KO. We will see I am looking forward to it and I am actually going to the fight, I will be shouting for George, but I have also heard Henry wants to have another crack at me, so if he wins I would be glad to hand him out another beating, without an injury I will be putting him down.

4. The light heavyweight division is wide open, how do you see things panning out in the next few months?

Well Chad is having another fight with Johnson, winner of that which will probably be Chad another close call on the cards, Cloud is fighting Woods and I think Cloud will come through that one, I sparred with Woods a few years ago and he is strong but he looks like he is on his way out. Roy will beat Lacy, I hope the German champion Erdei steps up and fights someone and get that title out of their clutches, the new guy who won the WBA I have never even heard of so I am sure it will just be a matter of time before he loses that, I was surprised that Pascal won the WBC, again I doubt he will have it long, so the division is wide open, I would love a fight with any of these guys.

5. What about Hopkins who do you think he will fight next?

Hopefully me in Philly, ha ha, nah I have no clue heard rumours it might be Adamek, which is a fight I see him winning, I sparred with Adamek and he is strong but can be out boxed, Steve should have beat him if he had fought the right fight. He has to be coming to an end soon though, how old is he now like 45 or something, he is still a great but he needs to move aside enjoy his retirement and let us guys get some of the money.

6. I am hearing a lot of good things about Team Mack can you introduce us to your team?

Yeah they have gotten me to where I am now, after the Andrade loss I was very low and they picked me up and now look I am one of the top guys in the division, Rory Donadio is my manager and he is doing a great job of keeping me busy and keeping me on the right track, his partner Greg Cipriano is also in heavily involved they are like fathers to me. I am not going to talk about my trainer John Tandy as he gets enough of his own press haha, nah he has transformed me, I wouldn’t be where I am now without him. Rock is John’s assistant in the corner, he is also my cousin so it is great to have my family involved, he takes the pressure off John, during fights and also in the build up, and finally last but not least Jimmy Eye, the best cut man in the US, I luckily have not needed him yet to deal with any cuts but he is a great guy to have around. Also I have recvently signed with Lou DiBella who are also now part of team Mack.

7. Signing with DiBella, how is that going for you?

Well good so far 1 win from 1, but I am desperate to get back out there, I like the team and I expect big things.

8. What is happening in the life of Yusaf Mack at the moment?

Well I recently got married to my long term partner Shaniqua, and I am just training at Schulers Gym in Philly keeping things ticking over until I go back out to camp, things are good, I just want to get back in there as soon as possible.

9. So the world title shot, when do you think it is coming and if given the choice who would you fight?

I would love it to be my next fight, but it is not looking likely, maybe by the end of the year, I would fight anyone, as I said earlier I would like to bring the WBO back to the US, but I doubt Erdei has the balls to face me, Pascal, Campillo, Cloud, give me any of these guys.

10. If you could change one thing about boxing what would it be?

It has to be the ranking system, it is crazy, guys just pop up from nowhere, I beat Henry who was ranked 4 in WBC, and I get ranked 6, then Pascal pops up from super middle and jumps ahead of me and gets a shot, Danny Green comes out of retirement and jumps ahead of me in the WBA, anyone who fights Erdei seems to get automatic top 10 place in WBO, and Campillo where the hell did he come from he lost at super middleweight, he never even fought at light heavy, suddenly he is WBA champ, come on. Guys like me are working hard for my ranking I have won my last 5 fights but I seem to go down to make room, more than going up, not to mention I won the NABA title and am still the NABF champion.

11. You haven’t really been regarded as a big puncher before, but recently you have been knocking people over and hurting people, how come?

Well I have always hit pretty hard, I knocked over Andrade and remain the only person to do so, but I have worked a lot on technique, strength, speed, and accuracy, this all combined together has just added to the power I already had. The punches that knock you out are the ones you don’t see coming, so the faster I get the more chance of landing one of those.

12. Have you got anything to say to your growing fan base out there?

Yeah there is loads more to come, I am getting better all the time and it is just a matter of time before I am given that chance. Thanks for all the support I love you all.