"I kind of peeped out his whole game and it was a cake walk, man...If we ever get a shot at a Jarrett Hurd, who just picked up a belt, I'd definitely like to see DeLoach get a shot at him before he leaves...We're pretty much ready for anybody. Like I said, if you give us the time to prepare, we're going to do what we gotta do...we're going to try and get that title. That's all we're focused on, getting him a world title and bringing everybody behind him along the way," stated Lucius Robinson, world-class trainer of jr. middleweight contender Justin DeLoach, who talked about their recent win over Chris Pearson, their future plans, and more. Check it out!
PC: Congratulations on Justin DeLoach's 2nd round knockout win over Chris Pearson. What did you think of his performance?
LR: I thought it was exceptional, but I expected it. I thought it would have happened around rounds 4 or 5, but he kind of surprised me. He does that from time to time, but I was impressed by it.
PC: How did you link up with Justin?
LR: I've always been in Justin's life. He came to the gym when he was about 7 or 8 years old; maybe a little bit older. I was training my son at the time when I met him. They knew each other because they came up through the amateurs together. I've always been in the background throughout his life; I just gave him little jewels from time to time and just laid the foundation for I guess today and he just came back to what he knew and we linked back up.
PC: You said you expected him to put on that type of performance, you just thought it would take a little more time for him to execute it. Was your confidence in that type of performance more of what you saw in the gym from Justin or what you watched on film from Chris?
LR: It was a combination of both. I gave him a little more credit, meaning Chris. And not to belittle him in any way, my heart goes out to the guy, but I could kind of see that he was playing boxing. When I see that, it's just a green light at that point and I just tell Justin to just mash the gas.
PC: James Toney used to use that phrase a lot that you can't play boxing. When you see a young kid like Chris Pearson playing boxing and having one foot in the game and one out, this is the hurt business and I'm sure it makes the instruction easier for you.
LR: It is definitely the hurt business. It's the only sport where, and I hate to say it, but you can kill a man, get paid, and walk away and nothing happen to you. A lot of these young fighters need to go in there and understand that. It's not all hype. They see some of these mega stars and, not to do any name dropping, but these guys work hard for what they have. If you really don't see the ins and outs of that, you might need to leave this game alone and go play football or something, man.
PC: A guy like me may not be able to draw a whole lot from a 2-round fight, but I'm sure when you watch those rounds, you're able to see the things that Justin did well, things he needs to work on, and more.
LR: He paid attention throughout camp and some of the holes that Chris had, I seen him jump on them right away; the game plan that we had, I give him a plan to kind of see things through two or three times and then attack those weaknesses, but if you see it right away, then go ahead. Only fools rush in and that night was just a really good night for Justin. He was really no threat at all and he was really able to do whatever he wanted to do and I'm just really proud of him, man.
PC: Was the game plan to back Chris up and use pressure to see if he would give, because Eric Walker had success with that style of attack?
LR: No, the plan was to come in and stay neutral to neutral with this guy. He kept his left hand right on target with Justin's right hand and I told Justin that I would take his right hand over Chris Pearson's left hand any old day. For anybody who is a southpaw in the game, I'll take that any old day. If that plan wouldn't have worked, we had a backup plan and another plan to that plan for Chris. But like I said, I kind of peeped out his whole game and it was a cake walk, man.
PC: Do you have a gym and a stable of fighters out there in Georgia?
LR: Well, right now, I sort of got kicked out of the gym that I was in. I don't know if it's because of some of the success we've gotten, but we're trying to work this thing out. Right now, I'm in the market for a gym and Justin and I are doing it. I have 5 other fighters that's in the stable that's under my tutelage as well as his and we're trying to get the east coast popping, man. We're just staying humble and positive and trying to get some world titles out here on the east coast.
PC: Justin's last 4 opponents have a combined record of 57-1-1. He is earning it the old school way and I have actually talked to other trainers that said, for whatever reason, Justin DeLoach is matched super hard and never gets an easy go. Is that by design?
LR: I'm starting to believe that it's by design. But a true champion is always tested that way. I've always told him by him being a young guy at 23 years old, you're able to get in the ring with guys who are 26-27 years old, and I can't even imagine when this kid is that age. He doesn't even have his grown man strength yet. I believe in testing a fighter. You just have to be mentally prepared to do it and I tell him all the time, most boxing is played with that 6 inches between your head. I'm not sure on the measurements, but I know that's where that mental game is played. If you get in the ring with my guy and you not prepared mentally to deal with what we're going to throw at you, it's going to be a long night. I can tell you that, so boxing should get ready for that coming from DeLoach in the not so distant future.
PC: He came in relatively light at 151.5 or something like that, which is light for a 154-pounder, so he doesn't have trouble making the weight. It's a crowded division and it seems like he's trying to elbow his way in.
LR: Yeah! He's definitely trying to do that. I see maybe by the summer, trying to get a shot at a world title. I don't see anybody beating him, provided we have the proper time to train. We are definitely taking things more serious down the road. If we ever get a shot at a Jarrett Hurd, who just picked up a belt, I'd definitely like to see DeLoach get a shot at him before he leaves. It doesn't look like he'll be able to hold that weight long. I'd like to get that fight just to show that this kid is very talented, he's up and coming, and he's not to be overlooked at all. We're pretty much ready for anybody. Like I said, if you give us the time to prepare, we're going to do what we gotta do. So anybody they throw at DeLoach, I'm going to be right there for him and we're going to try and get that title. That's all we're focused on, getting him a world title and bringing everybody behind him along the way. That's all we're looking to do.
PC: I look forward to keeping up with you and your fighters. I appreciate the time and you are another great boxing mind. Thanks for your time.
LR: I would just like to tell you thanks, man, and keep doing what you're doing. I love you and we are going to keep watching you and God speed to you brother.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]