"Whenever someone says to me about fighting on the Manny Pacquiao undercard, I can't stop smiling, can't stop thinking about it. I'm doing my best to prepare and win and that's why I'm training so hard right now...He's got a lot of amateur experience, but not a lot of pro experience. He's really patient. He's got good footwork and he fast, but he don't throw a lot of punches, so like I said before, we're gonna keep the pressure on him, move him backwards, and don't allow him time to think about what he wants to do...This would be a life-changer. Bigger fights, I'd be more well-known, and I could pick who I want to fight. It's going to be a life-changer when I win," stated super bantamweight Teon Kennedy, who talked about his June 9th clash with champion Guillermo Rigondeaux on the undercard of Pacquiao vs. Bradley. Check it out!
DK: What's going on Teon?
TK: I'm doing alright; just leaving the gym right now.
DK: You've got a fight coming up on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley pay-per-view in June. You're fighting WBA super bantamweight champ Guillermo Rigondeaux. Tell us about it.
TK: Um, ain't much I can say now. I'm very excited about this fight. I've been wanting this since I was 6 years old. It's unreal right now. I'm finally getting my world title shot.
DK: Did you watch Rigondeaux's last fight against Rico Ramos? If so, what did you think?
TK: Yeah, I seen the last fight. With Ramos, I thought Ramos was giving him too much respect and thought Ramos was scared of him.
DK: Rigondeaux is fast and quick, but seems methodical and likes to pick his spots. You like to mix it up a bit. What are you going to bring to the ring?
TK: I'm gonna try to put a lot of pressure on him, use the jab and don't give him time to think about what he's gonna do. I'm gonna keep him working.
DK: A lot of people in the Northeast have followed your career, but you're not as well-known on the national stage. Tell the fans what they can expect from Teon Kennedy come fight night.
TK: A lot of people saw me on ESPN, but if they didn't, they're gonna see me coming forward, pressuring him, and make him make mistakes, and I'm going to capitalize on those mistakes.
DK: Your last two fights have been a loss and a draw. What do you think was the issue in the last two fights?
TK: Well, I know the fight I lost, it was a legal issue I was thinking about, and the fight with a draw, it wasn't a problem. I thought I won, but the two judges didn't see it my way.
DK: Have you started training camp already?
TK: Yeah, yeah. I stay in the gym all the time, but I started training camp about two or three weeks ago. I'm doing about a 12-week camp, including strength and conditioning.
DK: Talk about what it means to get your first world title shot, and not only that, but on such a big stage with millions of people watching around the world.
TK: Man, it means the world to me. Like I said before, it's unreal. Whenever someone says to me about fighting on the Manny Pacquiao undercard, I can't stop smiling, can't stop thinking about it. I'm doing my best to prepare and win and that's why I'm training so hard right now.
DK: What do you think of Rigondeaux as a fighter?
TK: He's got a lot of amateur experience, but not a lot of pro experience. He's really patient. He's got good footwork and he fast, but he don't throw a lot of punches, so like I said before, we're gonna keep the pressure on him, move him backwards, and don't allow him time to think about what he wants to do.
DK: What would a win do for your career?
TK: This would be a life-changer. Bigger fights, I'd be more well-known, and I could pick who I want to fight. It's going to be a life-changer when I win.
DK: Alright Teon, I won't keep you any longer. I appreciate the time. Any final thoughts out there for the fans?
TK: I just want to thank my fans for supporting me and watching the fights. Keep watching the fights, and make sure to watch the fight because you're going to see an exciting fight and watch me walk out as champion.
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