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ADRIAN CLARK: "LOOK OUT FOR A NEW JERRY BELMONTES...EXPECT JAMES TO BE A KILLER COME DECEMBER 6TH"

By Percy Crawford | November 25, 2014
ADRIAN CLARK:

"This has been an amazing year of boxing for me. Two pay per-view cards, a world title bout, and a HBO fight next month. I can't complain about much these days. Well, I can, but I'll stay mum for now. Really looking forward to what 2015 brings for my guys and the sport of boxing...Look out for a new Jerry Belmontes in 2015...Centeno is going to look to box from the outside only in my opinion. That's what he does; no risk, just 1 or 2 shots and relocate. J.Rock laid the blueprint on how to beat this guy and I expect James to be a killer come December 6th," stated manager Adrian Clark, who gave us an update on a number of his fighters, like James De La Rosa and Jerry Belmontes, their future plans, and more. Check it out!

PC: AC, how is everything going?

AC: Everything is great, man. This has been an amazing year of boxing for me. Two pay per-view cards, a world title bout, and a HBO fight next month. I can't complain about much these days. Well, I can, but I'll stay mum for now. Really looking forward to what 2015 brings for my guys and the sport of boxing.

PC: So you have been managing fighters for a little bit now. Is it about what you were expecting, more challenging than you expected, or what?

AC: I started at 24 years old. Literally 6 months removed from undergrad, I began managing a then 11-0 Jerry Belmontes. I didn't know what the hell I was doing, but Jerry didn't know that. I expected things to be incredibly difficult, and they were in the beginning, but like anything else in this world, it's what you make it out to be. I made it fun, I made it comfortably challenging and I valued building and maintaining great relationships with the bosses in the sport. It's been very good to me.

PC: Does it help you in managing these guys being that you were an amateur fighter?

AC:  It really does. I hit it off with guys from the introduction once they learn that I fought. It gives me credibility over a lot of other managers that can't sit and swap amateur stories, or for that matter, get in the ring with their guys and go some rounds. I have sparred Jerry before. He stopped me in 4 rounds, but I know it meant something to him that his manager could step in with him and hold his own. I'm truly a fighter's manager. I have guys stay with me during training camp. I'm at sparring sessions, I show them how I work and help groom them as businessmen. I'm a sports agent/boxing manager 24/7.

PC: Before we go further into the boxing thing, give us a little background on yourself. Where are you from, your background, education, etc.?

AC: Born and raised in Dallas, Texas where I currently reside. I graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a B.A. in Communications (Public Relations/Media). I fought 3 years in the amateurs while finishing my undergraduate studies. Although I love boxing, basketball was my first love. I walked-on to play at Howard Payne University my freshman year (2004). I started my own company (AC Sports Management, LLC) at age 26.

PC: It had to be hard to have Jerry Belmontes have to pull out of the fight with Edner Cherry.

AC: Jerry had a great 2014. He demolished former IBO champion Will Tomlinson March 8th then fought and honestly beat Omar Figueroa for his WBC title on April 26th, even though they had him losing a split decision.  August 7th was supposed to be the win that brought forth the rematch with Omar, but Jerry dropped one to Abner Cotto. He suffered a setback in camp a couple of weeks before the Cherry fight, ending his year, but even with that, it was one to remember! Look out for a new Jerry Belmontes in 2015.

PC: Jerry is now working with Ronnie Shields if I'm not mistaken, right?

AC: Yes, finally! Mr. Shields is legendary and Jerry has deep respect for him and what he has done for this sport. Mr. Shields is going to force the excitement out of Jerry and add the "fight" element to his game. We all know Jerry can box, but that added excitement and punch output is what Jerry is missing to be a star in this sport. I'm not looking at the 5 losses. You look at guys like Soto Karass, Ray Beltran, Gabe Rosado; guys with 5 plus losses, but they all are constantly called upon because they are exciting to watch and they bring the fight. Jerry has to be that guy now. At 25, he is still young and will make a lot more money in this sport before retiring.

PC: What prompted that move?

AC: Honestly, Jolene Mizzone from Main Events told us in 2012 we needed to make that move. Jerry felt now was the time and I agreed. With respects to his father and brother, who did an amazing job training him to a world title shot, he knew if he wanted to stay relevant in this sport, he had to make a move. We thank Mr. Shields for welcoming us with open arms.

PC: You also have James De La Rosa coming up against Hugo Centeno. As a manager, are you nervous of a letdown in the Hugo Centeno fight or do you feel that it's James' time right now?

AC:  I'm not nervous of a letdown. James has been working with Erislandy Lara and the Charlo brothers to prepare for Hugo, so I feel James' time is right now. Centeno is going to look to box from the outside only in my opinion. That's what he does; no risk, just 1 or 2 shots and relocate. J.Rock laid the blueprint on how to beat this guy and I expect James to be a killer come December 6th.

PC: You guys are dedicating the Centeno fight to Emanuel Augustus. Is there a connection there or just a respect thing?

AC: James grew up sparring against Augustus. We have old photos of a 14-year-old James after sparring Emanuel. He learned a great deal from him and it shows in his style today. He doesn't dance though (laughing). I think Emanuel will be the only one that will be able to get away with doing that. It just came natural and it worked amazing for him. Winning this fight for Emanuel is important to James.

PC: You have a good young group of fighters on your roster. Tell us a little bit about your stable.

AC: Man, I am fortunate to have this amazing group of guys. At 118, I have this kid Oscar Mojica, 5-0 (1 KO) of Dallas, Texas. He is a soft-spoken, shy guy until he steps in between the ropes. Then he is a relentless technician. At 122, I got 11-0 (3 KOs) Ray Ximenez Jr., also from Dallas, Texas. Handspeed is all that needs to be said about Ray. He and Oscar will be the main/co-main event on January 10th in Ft. Worth, Texas under the banner of Jesse Rodriguez, CKO Promotions. You know what you get with Jerry Belmontes and James De la Rosa, those are the mainstream guys. Lastly is a bad man in Stevie Belmontes, or just call him, 'Jerry's little brother'. He fights at 140 and that dude can fight. He is currently 1-0 and is back in the ring December 6th. I work for an amazing group of guys. I plan to spar them all next year. I plan on giving each guy1 round each; 5 rounds.

PC: You have a few big things in the works. Not sure how in-depth you can speak about any of these ventures, but there are big things in store. I'm sure you are entertaining a lot of offers and ideas right now.

AC: My top priority is to have every guy active for 2015. I would like to sign my younger guys to promotional companies, but like anything else, it has to make sense. In regards to myself, I have some interesting developments and upcoming meetings. I'm just keeping an open mind and preparing to listen and make sure I understand what is going on. I'm building a respectable name and it's flattering every phone call or e-mail I get from power players in the industry that recognize me. I feel I'm the best manager in boxing. That's no disrespect to anyone, but I'm a competitor.

PC: You have some NBA and NFL connections. How did you start linking with guys like that?

AC: My childhood friend is CJ Miles (Indiana Pacers). He walked me to the door of the sports industry, gave it two knocks, patted me on the back and said, "Good luck". It was on me to find a way in. I lived in Utah with CJ when he was with the Jazz and from there, I was able to meet and become friends with guys like Chris 'Bleek' Greene, who is the creator of the clothing line 'Living Above Society's Tent' (L.A.S.T), Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets), Ray Rice, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, and Utah Jazz assistant coach Johnnie Bryant. If your network is really your net worth, then I'm a multimillionaire, right (laughing)?

PC: Definitely! Before I let you go, Marvin Williams of the Charlotte Hornets has been a big supporter of yours. I just wanted to let you speak on his contributions and dedication to you.

AC: Crazy story! I met Marv when he was first dealt to Utah and he was working out at the team's facility. He had a break in between workouts and he came over to introduce himself. The moment I knew Marv was my boy was when he recognized me from the court and signaled to me saying, "What's up," during a game. I felt like an 8-year-old, like, "Yo, he pointed at me. He was talking to me (laughing)". He funded Jerry Belmontes training camp for the Omar Figueroa fight. The commentators from Showtime actually shouted him out during the fight. Marv is my guy! Big congrats to him being one of the few guys that left college after 1 year to enter the NBA Draft and then go back and finish college and get that degree.

PC: I wish you and your guys the best of luck, thanks for always supporting FightHype. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?

AC: I want to thank my guys. I have to thank my Dallas boxing family, Derrick James and Errol Spence Jr. "EJ"… You weak bro (laughing). It wouldn't be right without thanking Golden Boy's Rob Diaz and Main Events Jolene Mizzone. Without those two, you aren't interviewing me right now. Lastly, I gotta thank you Percy. Every guy that I've signed, you've featured on FightHype.com. Fighters have nothing but great things to say about you and the interviews you conduct. Its a surreal feeling. I used to read your interviews with other guys and here I am being a part of the Fight Hype history. I look forward to watching you guys continue to grow! Follow me and my guys on Twitter @THEAdrianClark @Jerry_Belmontes @KingJamesDLR @Ray_V_Ximenez @Oengar.



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

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