"I know that sometimes his heart is a little bigger than his better thinking, and like I said, if he lasts 10 rounds, it's gonna be 10 rounds of him getting pulverized. I don't think anybody can last the 10 rounds that I have in store for this guy. Like I said man, the only thing I can do is pray that at the end of this fight, everybody walks away okay, but it can get brutal. And it will be brutal if he bring his A game and I bring my A game and he ain't going nowhere and it's a long night; it's gonna get real brutal. Those are the depths that I am willing to go through, so he gonna have to come down with me to the depths of being brutalized," stated heavyweight contender Amir Mansour, who talked about his upcoming April 4 clash with Steve Cunningham. Check out what else he had to say!
PC: The fight with Steve Cunningham is getting closer and closer. How are you feeling?
AM: I feel good, man. I'm really in the best shape I have ever been in preparing for any fight. I'm just ready, man; ready to get it on and pump these guns, you know?
PC: For sure. There was pictures posted on the internet of you training; you look to be in great shape.
AM: Oh, for sure. It's hard work and dedication. I don't underestimate no one. A lot of people think that I be relying on my power all of the time, but I come prepared for war. Whether it goes 1 round or it goes 10 rounds, I'm prepared for whatever happens.
PC: You had a very spirited press conference speech. What was the emotion like being on that podium for the biggest moment of your career?
AM: Ah man, it was very emotional for me coming from where I come from and the road that I took to get where I'm at. It's an overwhelming feeling and I had a lot of people in my corner that kept the faith in me and kept believing in me and they could have walked away. And they would have been justified in doing so. So I had a lot of people there for me and that's very emotional for me as well, knowing that I receive the type of love and support that I have, man.
PC: You have sparred with Steve before, but being face to face with him at the press conference, was that a sizing up period for you?
AM: You already know, man. I done fought bigger guys than him, so I don't really size him up like that. He is a smaller heavyweight than I have ever fought. He is the smallest guy that I have ever fought, but he is the most decorated fighter that I have fought thus far. He is smart. He is not a dummy when it comes to boxing. He is crafty, but if you couldn't keep a slow-footed Adamek off of you, ain't no way in the world you gonna keep Amir Mansour off of you.
PC: The word I keep seeing you use is brutal. You said this will be a brutal fight for Steve. Do you feel like because of his heart and will to not quit that will in turn make this more brutal on him?
AM: Well, I know that sometimes his heart is a little bigger than his better thinking, and like I said, if he lasts 10 rounds, it's gonna be 10 rounds of him getting pulverized. I don't think anybody can last the 10 rounds that I have in store for this guy. Like I said man, the only thing I can do is pray that at the end of this fight, everybody walks away okay, but it can get brutal. And it will be brutal if he bring his A game and I bring my A game and he ain't going nowhere and it's a long night; it's gonna get real brutal. Those are the depths that I am willing to go through, so he gonna have to come down with me to the depths of being brutalized (laughing). And if he ain't ready for that, he gonna have to throw in the towel.
PC: I know you watched the Deontay Wilder and Malik Scott fight. What did you take from the ending of that fight?
AM: Man, everybody and they mother saw that little bullcrap shot that he stopped Malik Scott with. That shot wouldn't have even knocked down my 12-year-old son. Come on, man! Wilder has been protected; he had a padded record. He hasn't really fought anyone with a winning record or anyone who has been relevant in boxing in quite some time. I don't pay no attention to Wilder popping off because he know that, deep down inside, his people ain't gonna let him fight me. So he will sit there and pop all the junk that he want to, but he know that we been tried to make the fight, man. His people not gonna let him fight me and it's almost like he knows that his people not gonna allow him to fight me, so he could sit there and talk all he wants, man. I could make the fight happen if he really wants to fight me, but his people ain't gonna allow it.
PC: Is this the taper down phase for you or are you still hard at training?
AM: Oh, nah man. I go hard to the door, man. I'm like Manny Pacquiao, man; I like training all the way up till my fight. I don't believe in over-training. I think that's an excuse that a lot of boxers use down the line. How the hell can you be in too good of shape? That's bullcrap to me. If you eat right and you take care of yourself, you know where your body is at and your body knows when to go and when to slow down. Right now, my body is fine and I feel good and I'm doing the same thing all the way up to the door.
PC: I wish you the best of luck. I'm happy for you, man because I know what you have been through to get to this point. We will talk soon my man. Is there anything else you want to say?
AM: I thank y'all at FightHype. Y'all are like family to me, man, and I appreciate y'all support over the years and anytime you wanna holla at me, you got the number. I definitely gotta thank all of the fans from Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Baltimore, D.C. and Virginia. They are buying tickets to this fight like crazy. Certain sections are already sold out and it's going to be a good event and I'm glad that I am a part of it, and thanks to everyone for supporting it.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]