"I know he's a big guy that can box, but it's gonna be able to showcase my talent and help me. I'm glad they are bringing in somebody that's sturdy and can hold their own. I know I'm bringing a lot to the table and it takes a lot to be able to withstand what I bring. He can be the biggest and strongest guy, it doesn't matter. I got skills and I'm going to dance around this guy. I'm ready to show the world... I'm way stronger then any of these guys ever thought about being. So when I get in the ring, I feel dominant and strong and I'm ready to blast this dude," stated undefeated heavyweight contender Gerald Washington, who talked about his upcoming clash this Thursday with Skipp Scott. Check out what else he had to say!
PC: Big fight on Thursday against Skipp Scott. How do you feel?
GW: I'm over here getting ready, man. I'm working hard and I'm ready to go 10 rounds if need be. I'm working with the best people, looking good, feeling good, and just ready, man, to finally be able to showcase myself and let the world see it. I got a big body in front of me too. He's 6'8", 270 pounds, or however big he is, so it's gonna look good. It's not gonna be like I'm beating up on some small, little dude, so it's gonna look good.
PC: He hasn't lost since his pro debut and you are undefeated, so both of you are accustomed to winning. What do you feel will separate you two on Thursday night?
GW: I think my skills and my athleticism and all this hard work and preparation that me and my trainer, John Pullman, putting in; we just smart, man. We're smarter than all of these guys. Everybody working harder; we working smarter over here. I'm excited, man. Every interview I see from this guy, I just love it. I hope he's prepared and he packs his lunch because it's gonna be a good one.
PC: He's got a lot of attention leading up to this fight and you are the undefeated fighter. Do you feel slighted or disrespected by that?
GW: Ah man, I'm not worried about that, man. I know he's a big guy that can box, but it's gonna be able to showcase my talent and help me. I'm glad they are bringing in somebody that's sturdy and can hold their own. I know I'm bringing a lot to the table and it takes a lot to be able to withstand what I bring. He can be the biggest and strongest guy, it doesn't matter. I got skills and I'm going to dance around this guy. I'm ready to show the world.
PC: You are a big guy in your own right...
GW: (Cutting in) I'm 6'5 ¾", you know what I'm saying. People say that I'm 6'6", but I'm 6'5 ¾" and I'm a master at using my distance and using my range and my recognition; that's what I use for defense. People are always worried about me, but I'm more athletic than all of these guys, so I can get in and out on these guys. These guys are big and clumsy. I went against guys 6'6", 350 pounds playing football and have the strength that no man in boxing has ever seen before. I was squatting 630 pounds and benching 430 pounds, so I'm way stronger then any of these guys ever thought about being. So when I get in the ring, I feel dominant and strong and I'm ready to blast this dude.
PC: You have been a much busier fighter than he has been lately. Do you plan to use that to your advantage by jumping right on him?
GW: I hate when people say he hasn't been beaten. He's got 17 fights in 7 years...get out of here, man; he's lame. I'm gonna do the same thing that I always do. I'm gonna see what he's got, see what he's giving me, and take advantage of it and take him out. I learned early in my career that you gotta be patient and take your time. I'm not in no rush; I'm just gonna box him and then when I clip him and I see I got him hurt, then I'm gonna take him out. We gonna have another good night.
PC: How much do you feel your athleticism helps you out, especially being that a lot of heavyweights, like you said, are big, but not as fluent on their feet?
GW: Ah man, I played tennis, so I'm constantly on my toes and swaying back and forth, and these guys...I change directions on these guys and they still looking the other way. I love boxing in and out and letting these guys try to catch up and get frustrated and they... hold up man, I'm not trying to give up all of my game plan.
PC: (Laughing) Save some for fight night, man. But I do have to say, your timing on the scene is perfect because a lot of people talking about the heavyweight division again.
GW: Every step of the way, I've been blessed. From Dominic Breazeale walking into my gym and working with us and me going to a sparring session with him and working with Malik and sparring Malik, and then them seeing me in the ring and asking, "Who is that?" And them being like, "That's Gerald Washington." And then I got signed by Al Haymon like that. So from then on, my career has been a blessing. They put me in position to do my thing and they put me up against tough guys. When I fought Sherman Williams, I had 7 fights, man. I wasn't no seasoned vet. I'm young in the game. I don't have all the amateur experience in the world. I started boxing when I was younger. Everybody think I'm just a football player. I grew up boxing. I love boxing. I have a passion for this sport. This is what I do. So they can think whatever they want to; that's good because if they think they going in there to fight a football player, they gonna be real sad, man. They gonna be upset when they find out the truth because I'm bringing stuff that not a lot of people can bring. I'm taking my time and they getting me up there to the top to be competing with the guys that's gonna actually bring out the best in me.
I'm looking forward to fighting with these big guys; the Deontay Wilder's, the Tyson Fury's, and the Klitschko's. I'm looking for all of these guys. And Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne fighting at my school, USC, for the heavyweight championship. I'm excited about that fight for them. That's awesome, man; it's right here in California. I hope either one of them do their thing because both representing their respective countries, but they are also both claiming to bring the belt back to the United States. I'm just happy for them to have that opportunity and that's cool because I see those guys and I aspire to be the champion of the world, so when I see those guys getting it, I feel I can get it. It's right there in my grasp and I'm moving up. I'm happy to be healthy and strong and I'm thankful. I appreciate all of the support. Man, I got people around me now and we starting to rally up and my name is starting to get out there and it's wonderful. I'm starting to build my fan base and it feels good. It drives me to work hard every day and I love it.
PC: Your last 3 opponents didn't see the final bell. Do you feel Scott will have the same fate as them?
GW: I can't say what's going to happen to him because I don't know how he prepared. I just know he better be prepared. I know how to manage the ring and I know how to manage the time now. That's the only reason the few opponents that got away from me was able to because I was still learning. With Sherman Williams, I was so upset that I didn't give more in that performance, but I was like, "Man, I'm on TV for the first time, it's a big fight for me, and this guy got a ton of experience." I'm believing all of the hype that I'm hearing in the interviews and all that stuff and I'm like, "Man, I coulda knocked that dude out." I won every round; I dropped him for the first time in his career. This guy is a beast, man, and I only had 7 fights. I was still a baby, a lil' pup, but just wait. Every fight, I get better and just watch...man...owww, I'm taking this thing over.
PC: I look forward to the fight and speaking with you often, man; best of luck and we will talk soon. Is there anything else you want to add?
GW: Just keep your eyes on "The Gentleman" Gerald "El Gallo" Washington, a champion on the rise. I'm doing my thing and I fight for the United States, I fight for Mexico, the US Navy, and USC. I wanna bring the whole world together and unite everyone. I'm fighting to be the best!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]