"Whether I start beating him to the punch every time or if he starts beating me to the punch, it's going to be a fight. From one to twelve, if it goes that long, it's going to be a fight. I see someone going down in this fight. I don't think it's going to be me. If I do, I will get right back up. If he goes down, I will finish him," super middleweight contender Peter Manfredo Jr. as he talked about his upcoming title clash with Sakio Bika. Check out what else he had to say about the fight and much more.
JA: You're very focused for your second title shot against Bika. Do you look at this fight as a way to make up for all the times that you fell short in your career?
PM: Yeah, I think it will make up for all the times that I disappointed myself and the fans and that's who it really was for. It's an opportunity to become a world champion; it's something that I've dreamed about since I was seven years old. That's what everybody dreams when they start boxing. There's nothing that is going to stand in my way that night to take advantage of that opportunity. I've matured more mentally and physically as a person. I think Sakio will make it a good fight. but I think no matter what he does that night, it ain't going to be enough. I'm faster than him, I'm going to have more balls than him that night, I got my fans and family there and the place is going to go crazy and I'm going to be the new world champion. No matter what he does.
JA: Your going do it in your hometown in front of your fans. I have been fallowing your career for a while and you have almost like an old school aura about you in that you always make time for you fans to sign autographs. Is that added pressure for you to perform in front of your fans or does it make it easier?
PM: I think it makes it easier. I don't have any pressure when I fight here; it's weird. A lot of people ask if I'm anxious or nervous. Not at all. I'm very focused; very relaxed. When I fight at home, I have nothing to worry about but to get the job done. Say you get tired after 6 or 7 rounds; you have the fans bringing you through all of that. It's like why were the Celtics undefeated in the playoffs at home? It's that little extra that sometimes you need. Was I lobbying for the fight in Providence? No! I would have fought him in Australia. It's an opportunity for a world title, but it's going to happen here which is more of an incentive for me to win. It's a big opportunity for me. I'll die in there that night; whatever I have to do to win. I know a lot of people say it all of the time, but this is it; this is my last shot. Either I win or I lose, but if I lose, it's the end of my career. If win, it goes on and obviously I'm going to try to get all of the titles. This is definitely a big opportunity and I'm not letting this one go.
JA: So basically, it's all on the line for you in this fight. Would you say that?
PM: Yeah, it's all on the line. If I lose, time for someone else to step up and I was just not cut out to be a world champion. If I win, I accomplish everything that I have ever wanted. I was on a reality TV show, I fought the best in the world, I fought in front 35,000 people
boxing has allowed me to buy a nice house, I have a beautiful wife and kids; the only thing that's missing is a world title. So this is it. This will be everything I've ever wanted. I don't see myself losing this fight, believe me. He's big, he is strong, but he is going to have to catch me with more than one shot to knock me out. I don't think that he is capable of doing that so I'm not even looking at defeat right now. There's no such thing in my mind right now.
JA: It's a good thing and a bad thing with Bika in that you know exactly what he is going to do in the fight and that's a good thing, but at the same time, you know that he is going to come out and swing for the fences and try to take your head off so you have to prepare for that. In your mind, how do you see the fight going?
PM: I see the first round as a feel out round for a little bit, but we will catch each other with some blows and it's going to be on from there. Whether I start beating him to the punch every time or if he starts beating me to the punch, it's going to be a fight. From one to twelve, if it goes that long, it's going to be a fight. I see someone going down in this fight. I don't think it's going to be me. If I do, I will get right back up. If he goes down, I will finish him. Jaidon Codrington had him out, but he didn't have the experience to finish him. I've seen that fight once. My father has seen the fight every night since we took this fight about ten times every night. I know what I have to do. This guy, like you said, you know what he is going to do. It's good and bad, but I just don't think that he has the talent to beat me. I think that I'm a better fighter than him and I am going show it that night.
JA: Speaking of the Jaidon Codrington fight, was there anything that you noticed right off that Jaidon did or didn't do that you can apply to this fight?
PM: Jaidon kept the earmuffs up the whole fight and tried to bang with Bika too much. Jaidon doesn't move as much as I do and I think that's going to be the difference in my fight with Bika.
JA: With a fighter like Bika that just has that physically imposing style, he basically just wants to put his body on you and bully you. Is your training more focused and more intense than usual knowing that you are going to be fighting a guy like that?
PM: Yes, definitely. That's why I've been sparring with heavyweights and big cruiserweights in the gym and they have been bullying me on the inside and I have been bullying them right back. I'm not going to be bullied on that night. I'm going to be prepared for anything this guy does, big wide shots and every thing that he throws. When I get on the inside, he is going to try to bully me. Whatever he does, I'm going to do right back to him. My punches are just sharper and stronger. I don't know if I'm physically stronger, but with my punches being sharp and connecting at the right spot, it doesn't matter how strong you are, you're going to go. He kind of reminds me of someone like Joey Spina. Someone asked me If could compare him to anybody else that I have fought and I said, "yeah, he reminds me of Spina". He's big, he's strong, but he is a little more focused and a little more determined and he is more hungrier than Spina, but height-wise with the ripped out muscles, he swings for the fences and if he catches you, he can knock you out like Spina.
JA: Is there anything that you want to say to the fans to get them pumped up for this fight.
PM: I just want them all to come out and enjoy themselves. It's been 17 years since we had a world title fight in Providence and we don't know if we will get another one. I just want everybody to come out to support me. I know they will anyway, but I just want to sell the place (Dunkin Donut Center) out like when Vinny Paz did it. The ticket prices are reasonable so there really is no excuse. Hopefully I can share this world title with them at the end.
JA: It's always a pleasure speaking with you Peter. The best of luck to you!
PM: Thank you very much.