"I just want to showcase being sharp; me coming for and bringing the fight to this guy and not waiting to counter so much. I want to bring the fight to these guys and break people down," stated...I'm going to be the one coming forward and I'm going to make him feel uncomfortable...I'm going to stop him," stated welterweight Joseph Elegele, who talked about his upcoming return to the ring, after more than a year layoff, to face Alex De Jesus. Check out what else he had to say!
PC: How has everything been with you?
JE: Everything is going good. I'm feeling real good and just ready to take care of business.
PC: You took the entire year of 2015 off. Where have you been and what have you been up to?
JE: I just had to take off to myself and find out who I was. I had some personal issues.
PC: You definitely didn't choose an easy opponent for your comeback fight. Alex De Jesus is 21-1 and his only defeat is to an undefeated fighter. Why such a hard comeback fight?
JE: This is what I want. I feel like I'm ready for anything. The understanding that I have of myself right now, I feel like I'm ready for anything and anybody. This is what I want.
PC: It's fight week for you out there in Florida. Just tell us a little bit about how preparation has been going?
JE: Preparation has been going real good. I came to camp and been sparring with Erickson Lubin. I came to camp with him and everything going good. But I'm expecting him...I really can't say what I'm really expecting from him. I know what I'm going to go out there and do and that's take care of business and fight my fight. However it comes, I done seen it all in sparring and that's how I'm going to handle it.
PC: Have you been in the gym during your layoff or was it all about cleaning up your personal issues?
JE: I been dabbling in the gym here and there, but mostly going back to school and school work; stuff like that. But boxing-wise I have been working on my defense, being more sharp and more elusive.
PC: Anytime you take time away from a sport that's motto is "you're as good as your last fight," you kind of have to get fans familiar with you again. Anything in particular you looking to showcase in this kind of second career for you?
JE: I just want to showcase being sharp; me coming for and bringing the fight to this guy and not waiting to counter so much. I want to bring the fight to these guys and break people down.
PC: Have you been able to gather some footage of him or are you not a big film guy?
JE: I'm not a big film guy, but I did see a little bit of him. I seen a little bit of him. He's a come forward fighter, but I'm going to be the one coming forward and I'm going to make him feel uncomfortable.
PC: Do you see him trying to jump on you to see if there is any rust there or maybe fight a patient fight to see how you handle those late rounds?
JE: If he thinks he's going to test my endurance, I'm definitely ready for that. I'm hoping that he does that. I'm going to stop him. I see that now. He may last in there for a little while, but when it's all said and done, I'm going to stop him in the end.
PC: In your absence, did you regain a love for the sport of boxing?
JE: Ah man, yes. That's exactly what it was, just going through the politics of boxing and I wasn't happy where I was at. I really had to take a step back and get my thoughts together and get everything situated around me. I went to a couple of shows here in Orlando and it really got me wanting to do it again. That's what it took.
PC: It seems like you have the outside of the ring corrected. 16 fights into your career, what have you learned the most about yourself inside of the ring?
JE: I learned how tough I am and how much of a fighter I am. I'm not going to easily break. I'm mentally strong.
PC: Erickson Lubin is one of the hottest guys out there. What has the work been like with him?
JE: Oh yeah, we getting good work. Listen man, this boy is no joke. He's a young kid, but I can definitely say he's like a young Mike Tyson at 154. He's a good kid, man, and he's something special.
PC: What weight class can we expect you to be fighting at?
JE: I'll be at 147. Nothing changed; I'll be at 147.
PC: I look forward to your comeback. Best of luck with it and we will talk soon. Is there anything else you would like to add?
JE: I just want everybody to know to look out for me. I'll be coming soon, man, and I appreciate you for your time.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]