"Whenever I get on the scene, y'all gonna see fireworks and then some more fireworks. I'm bringing explosiveness and some speed and power. It's been a long time coming, so once I get on this stage, I'm not falling off and going back down. I'm gonna go ahead and make sure everybody know my name and see my face and make sure I stay on the scene and elevate," stated lightweight contender Lydell Rhodes, who talked about his upcoming April 12 return to the ring on the undercard of Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2. Check out what else he had to say!
PC: You were out there in the Philippines in the heart of camp with Manny Pacquiao. What was that experience like for you?
LR: It was mind-blowing and it just broadened my horizon. Most young people wanna go out and go to the club and hang out and do this and that, and this just took me to a whole 'nother level because now I wanna go and see the world. There is stuff out there that I wanna see that I've never seen, and it's crazy and mind-blowing.
PC: You passed on the opportunity to fight in your hometown of Oklahoma to fight on the Pacquiao/Bradley card. Do you feel like it was time for you to get out of Oklahoma? Because we used to talk about that; that eventually, the day would come.
LR: Yeah man. I think the time was overdue. Well, really I can't say overdue because everything is God's plan, so I guess it's right on time. I'm ready, man. That's all I can say. I know I'm 100% ready.
PC: What has the work with Manny been like?
LR: He picked up the intensity when we got to California and it's been real intense training; from mountain runs early in the morning to strength and conditioning work and explosiveness. We have been doing everything and I will be in top shape because I have been doing everything that Pacquiao's been doing, so we will both be in top shape. So man, I'm feeling ripped up like I should be posing in a magazine or entering a bodybuilding competition or something. We been going hard.
PC: When you see someone on Manny's level putting in that work, how motivating is that to you?
LR: It's most definitely motivation because me, I'm soaking it all in, but at the same time, I'm a boxer and a fighter as well and I like to compete on every level, and I hear the stories of how hard he trains and I've seen how hard Floyd trains, but when you get to sit there and train right beside them, you wanna push and be able to do everything that they want to do. It's showing me what it's like if I wanna take that next step and be a champion. They showing me what it takes and the work I have to put in to get a belt out of this game.
PC: You were like a celebrity over in the Philippines. What was that like, man?
LR: Ah man, I can't even put it into words. I felt like a rock star, man. Everywhere I went, it was people everywhere wanting to take pictures and doing this and that; it was just crazy. That's how I can sum it all up as just crazy. Some of the food didn't agree with my stomach, but I'm from Oklahoma, so we eat anything (laughing).
PC: You are not training with Floyd Mayweather Sr. anymore. Who will be in your corner on April 12th?
LR: Me and Yoel Judah coming together. He just came out here and he will be my trainer and working my corner and everything. It's been a process for me to just learn what I can from everyone.
PC: Was it hurtful to see some of the things Floyd Sr. said about you or are you just focusing on you and the positive things going on for you?
LR: It hurts because we were close, but if that's his opinion, there is nothing I can do to change it. I'm gonna keep on rolling and doing my thing and just enjoy this life that I'm living and learn and get better everyday. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
PC: Did you feel like you had the style or physical ability to ever be emulating Timothy Bradley in a training camp or was it a shock when they wanted to use you?
LR: I felt like, more than style, I have the mindset of Timothy Bradley. I will do whatever it takes to win, where sometimes, you might see me going forward and banging, sometimes you might see me jabbing and using angles and everything. I have good footwork, so I can do lateral movement real good like we believe Tim Bradley is gonna do. So in a sense, I can see myself doing the Tim Bradley thing, but on the other hand, I don't think I'm just like him. I think our winning attitude, where we will do whatever it takes to win, is what I bring to the table.
PC: What can we expect from you in your fight on April 12th?
LR: Ah man, what I been saying since day one. Whenever I get on the scene, y'all gonna see fireworks and then some more fireworks. I'm bringing explosiveness and some speed and power. It's been a long time coming, so once I get on this stage, I'm not falling off and going back down. I'm gonna go ahead and make sure everybody know my name and see my face and make sure I stay on the scene and elevate.
PC: What do you feel is the biggest thing you have taken away from being in this camp with Manny Pacquiao?
LR: Man, of course the main thing is experience in getting this many rounds. I think we've gone like 50 or more rounds with each other. The thing that he's helped me do is just get rid of a lot of my flaws. Sometimes I fight in spurts or get lackadaisical, but he just made it to where if I relax too much, he gonna put it on you. If you have any weaknesses, he gonna expose it. If you don't stay on your jab or stay moving your head, he's gonna hit you. His offense is great and he's just made me tighten things up. He's so fast, he just punches between your guard, so all of the little holes in my game, he's made me tighten everything up and he's made me strengthen my boxing game as well as my mental game. You gotta have mental stamina with him because you might can do one round or two rounds well with him, but he just keeps coming. He is just so fast and explosive, the mindset every time you spar with him has to be on point. So that's the biggest thing I would have to say is that my mental stamina increased from sparring with him and staying on top of my game.
PC: I wish you the best on the 12th and we will talk again soon my man. Is there anything else you want to add?
LR: I want to give a big shout out to, you know, my dude, Percy Crawford, man. He's been with me and helping me out since day one when I first moved out to Vegas, man. I remember when I was just a lil' dude from Oklahoma and nobody knew about me. Not everybody know about me yet, but they will. But I appreciate you and everybody back home in Oklahoma, and of course my man Manny Pacquiao for helping me and putting me on. Thanks to everybody, and as always, AGTG [All Glory To God].
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]