"I don't think there's any doubt about who's fought the better level of opposition. I got robbed against Felix Sturm, who was considered the 2nd best 160-pounder at the time and is champion again. It was nip and tuck for 10 rounds against a prime Sergio Martinez, and GGG caught me with a great body shot which broke my ribs...I think me and Peter is a great fight; a great fight for the fans. It's a fight I'm very confident of winning. I think it would be a difficult fight and a very tough fight. Peter is good at what he does, but I have a lot more versatility," stated middleweight contender Matthew Macklin, who talked about a potential clash with Peter Quillin, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!
PC: How are you doing, Matthew? How is everything going?
MM: Hey, I'm feeling good. Been back in the gym in Marbella the last 2 weeks just easing back into training.
PC: From what I understand, my interview with Peter Quillin sparked your interest. He is looking to come back in April. Is that a fight you would be interested in around that time?
MM: I'm waiting on a date myself and I saw that Peter Quillin was also. I think it's a great fight between two of the best middleweights in the world. We both have fan-friendly styles; we both have a lot of knockouts. I think it would sell out any venue in New York. I know Peter personally and he's a good guy and I respect him, but it's a fight I'd jump at.
PC: If you would face Quillin, that would be your third straight fight against an undefeated fighter. Do you feel like that is a testament to the type of fighter you are? You recently took Lamar Russ' 0 away from him. Do you feel you could be the guy to give Quillin his first blemish as well?
MM: Yeah, I think it probably is. Nowadays, too many guys only want to take fights where they're a big favorite, but I've always believed to be the best, you have to beat the best. Sometimes it doesn't always go the way you expect, but at least you know you are a real fighter that doesn't duck a challenge. All the great fighters down through the years lost fights to other great fighters, but went back to the gym, learned, adjusted, and bounced back stronger. If you lose to a great fighter, you don't become a bad fighter over night.
PC: When you watch Kid Chocolate fight, what do you think of his skill set? How do you grade him out as a fighter?
MM: I think Peter is a good fighter. He's a good boxer who can punch. He's a little lazy at times and I don't think he likes a fast pace, but he's definitely one of the best middleweights in the world, as am I.
PC: You have faced some of the best middleweights in the world. Do you feel that your experience and level of competition could be the difference in a fight with a guy like Quillin?
MM: I don't think there's any doubt about who's fought the better level of opposition. I got robbed against Felix Sturm, who was considered the 2nd best 160-pounder at the time and is champion again. It was nip and tuck for 10 rounds against a prime Sergio Martinez, and GGG caught me with a great body shot which broke my ribs. And going into that fight, I'd had only one round in 15 months from the Martinez fight. He'd had 2 fights that year. Plus I got injured in training for the fight, so I had to train around it. My preparation was pretty poor going in against the best opponent I'd faced. But I do believe GGG is the best middleweight in the world. And I think that the experience I have from those fights would certainly be a factor in a fight against Peter.
PC: I think a Macklin/Quillin fight would be very interesting. How do you see a fight with Peter Quillin playing out?
MM: I think me and Peter is a great fight; a great fight for the fans. It's a fight I'm very confident of winning. I think it would be a difficult fight and a very tough fight. Peter is good at what he does, but I have a lot more versatility.
PC: How often would you like to fight this year, Matthew?
MM: I mean, ideally I would like to fight 3 times this year. Inactivity has killed my career a little at times. I always performed better when I've been busy. Before the Russ fight, I had less than 4 rounds in almost 2 years. It's impossible to be at your best with that little ring time.
PC: I appreciate your time. I wish you the best of luck this year and I look forward to seeing you in the ring again. Is there anything else you want to say in closing?
MM: I would just like everyone to know, especially Golden Boy Promotions and Peter and his team that I'm here, ready, willing and able to meet him in April wherever they want it. He's beaten some good fighters, but it's time he step up and fight one of the top middleweights out there.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]