"The only thing I'm thinking about right now is putting my hands on that title. As a matter of fact, to me, I'm going to the ring like I'm defending my title. This title is mine. It's my title, you know what I'm saying; they just didn't give it to me yet. I'm going in there to defend my title... I feel like I'm ready already. I feel great, I look great and I just can't wait, man. I can't wait to make history, so everybody look out for that fight. It's gonna be a fantastic performance and a lot of pain and a knockout," stated top heavyweight contender Bermane Stiverne, who talked about his anticipated rematch with Chris Arreola and his own desire to be crowned the new WBC heavyweight champion of the world. Check it out!
PC: It's been a long rough process for you. How have you held it all together, man?
BS: I feel great about where I'm at right now. The process was a little headache, but we pulled it off. We got it now and that's all that matters.
PC: I know you really wanted to face Vitali for the title. Are you a little disappointed that he decided to step away or are you just glad you're finally getting the opportunity to fight for that belt?
BS: I'm happy that I finally get to fight for the title. I'm not disappointed that I'm not fighting Vitali; I'm just happy that he's not gonna be holding the belt and undecided. Now a fighter like myself can compete for the title. Him being gone is good for boxing right now, especially for the heavyweight division.
PC: From what I hear, you have remained in the gym and you look smooth in there, as if you haven't been as inactive as you have been.
BS: The gym is my home, man; that's what I do. Even though sometimes I be fighting once a year, I'm not rusty or anything like that. Personally, I don't know why people think that when you don't fight, often you get that rust. Obviously if you don't train and you take breaks between fights, you probably get a little bit of rust, but I'm always in the gym. I'm always doing something. When I'm in the gym, if I'm not boxing, I'm doing something. But I feel great. I haven't been getting beat up or knocked out, even with that loss on my record (laughing). Just to put it out there, it's not a knockout. But I feel great and when I chose to do what I do, it comes with dedication. Even when I'm not active, I gotta pay attention to what I'm doing and more than anything respect the sport. Being out of shape is not an option for me.
PC: It looks like it will be a rematch between you and Chris Arreola. Did you want an opponent that you haven't already faced or it didn't matter who they put in front of you?
BS: At this point, I don't care. The only thing I'm thinking about right now is putting my hands on that title. As a matter of fact, to me, I'm going to the ring like I'm defending my title. This title is mine. It's my title, you know what I'm saying; they just didn't give it to me yet. I'm going in there to defend my title.
PC: You have really been talking about becoming the first Haitian-born heavyweight champion. What would that mean to you to capture that honor?
BS: A lot! Where I come from, man, it speaks for itself. What is it like? 80% of the population don't have shit. Growing up, I was a part of that. Today, I'm in a good position to make it happen and get this title for my country and fight for my people. It's a good motivation for me, especially where I come from. I came from the hood and even when I moved to America, I was still in the hood, you know what I'm saying? It's not like we got it good when I left Haiti; we went straight to the hood. I been through some fucked up situations in my life; excuse my language, but I'm proud of myself. I got back up and turned my life around and I'm happy. I'm happy to be a role model for the kids out there in Haiti. So what better way to appreciate the things I've bee through than to win that title even though I've been through so much bullshit. I'm just excited to be the first Haitian-born heavyweight champion of the world and I'm also excited about bringing the title back to America because this is where I live now.
PC: Have you heard anything on a date for the rematch or is that still in the works?
BS: When it comes to that, I don't really get involved in that. I have people for that that's supposed to handle that matter. I got a promoter and a manager that do what they do and that's what they do best, so I'll be in the gym and whenever it comes out, I'll be ready. I'm just waiting right now for a date, and in the meantime, I'll be in the gym. Once we get the date, I'll be looking forward to it.
PC: I think the rematch will be just as good as the first fight. I look forward to it and best of luck to you. Is there anything else you want to say before I let you go?
BS: It's gon be... I won't say it's going to be a good fight; I will say it's going to be a good performance. Look out for my performance because I got some shit, boy (laughing). Man, I mean it's gonna be the best I have ever looked. This is the first camp in my life where I am happy and in good spirits with no issues. I've been blessed thanks to the Man above, so I'm just happy to be happy, you know what I'm saying, and I feel like I'm ready already. I feel great, I look great and I just can't wait, man. I can't wait to make history, so everybody look out for that fight. It's gonna be a fantastic performance and a lot of pain and a knockout!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]