On July 2nd at Atwood Stadium in Flint, Michigan, local boxing star Anthony "The Dog" Dirrell (21-0, 18 KOs) will take on Michi "El Matador" Munoz (23-6, 16 KOs) for the vacant Universal Boxing Organization™ (UBO) Inter-Continental Super Middleweight title.
In the following Q & A, Dirrell speaks, among other things, about his upcoming fight, new promotional company Team Dirrell Promotions and about beating cancer. And would he ever consider the possibility of one day fighting his brother, Super Six participant Andre?
Q: Anthony, It is well known that your brother Andre won an Olympic Bronze medal, but you were also a very good amateur yourself. Please tell me a bit about your own amateur career, and how it came about that you turned professional in 2005?
AD: I had a good amateur career and my record was 170-23. I have won many amateur titles, and also, I was injured but still competed in the 2004 Olympic trials and got 3rd place. Turning pro for me was a big transition, I enjoyed the move to the pros but early on I was cautious about fighting without headgear.
Q: You are fighting Michi Munoz for the UBO Inter-Continental Super Middleweight title on July 2nd. He has fought some big names, is a former NABC champion and has been in several title fights while this will be your first championship fight. Do you feel a lot of pressure ahead of this fight, and how do you expect to handle the challenge that is Michi Munoz?
AD: I don't feel any pressure fighting Michi Munoz. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to step up and fight an opponent with a lot of experience. I expect to handle fighting Munoz well, and I'm working hard in the gym for this fight.
Q: Tell me about Dirrell Promotions?
AD: Other fighters like Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, Oscar De La Hoya & Floyd Mayweather Jr. have started their own promotional companies. Team Dirrell felt it was a good opportunity for us as well. We want to give back to our hometown Flint, Michigan. We want the fans and our city to get behind us and our new boxing promotion company.
Q: The Munoz fight will be your biggest fight so far inside the ring, a title fight in your hometown, but I take it your biggest fight outside the ring was when you were diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2007. Thankfully you beat the disease, but how did it change your life, and did you ever fear that it would end you boxing career?
AD: Cancer was definitely the biggest challenge in my life. With the support of my fans, friends and family I was able to beat cancer and get back in the boxing ring.
Q: The disease did cause for you to be out of the ring for almost two years, but you have won nine straight fights since coming back in late 2008. Do you feel as if your boxing career has a greater purpose now, than just becoming a champion and getting big fights?
AD: Boxing is what I love to do, I'm happy to be fighting for my first pro boxing title and I work hard to provide for my family. Having cancer has definitely made me look different at my life.
Q: The Klitschko brothers have stated many times that they would never fight each other. You and Andre box in the same weight class, but would the two of you ever fight each other if the circumstances were right? Perhaps if both of you become world champions and it's the biggest and most lucrative fight out there for you?
AD: We spar together, but under no circumstances would my brother Andre and I ever fight each other in a real fight.
Q: Please describe how a typical day for you looks when you are preparing for a fight?
AD: A typical day for me when I'm training for a fight is getting up at 6am for breakfast, 8am going for my daily run, then go home to relax, 1pm going to the gym and train. I usually spar 3 times a week, I also make sure I eat healthy and maintain my weight as I prepare for a fight.
Q: What kind of show can the fans expect from you and Dirrell Promotions on July 2nd at Atwood Stadium?
AD: The fans can expect a good boxing show, and we also have a fireworks show for the fans. This is a big event for Team Dirrell Promotions and our city. Flint has gone thru a lot of changes with factories closing and a lack of jobs. Team Dirrell Promotions wants to lift up our city and inspire our community.
Q: Anything you would like to say in closing?
AD: I want the fans to know that Anthony Dirrell is on the rise in the sport of boxing. I'm looking for a world title fight in the near future. I want to thank my fans for their support. I want all my fans to come out and support Team Dirrell Promotions and my fight against Michi Munoz on July 2 at Atwell Stadium.
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