"Training is going good. I'm just working real hard and getting everything ready for Michael Davis…They can expect to see versatility, excitement and entertainment. I come to put on a show any time I get into that ring, so it's going to be exciting," stated up-and-coming middleweight Cerresso Fort (8-0, 7 KOs) as he talked about his upcoming bout this Friday against Michael Davis and much more. Check it out!

PC: How has everything been going for you?

CF: Everything is going good.

PC: You have a big fight coming up on Friday against Michael Davis. How has training been going for you?

CF: Training is going good. I'm just working real hard and getting everything ready for Michael Davis.

PC: What do you know about him as a fighter and what type of fight are you expecting from him?

CF: I know he's won all of his fights by knockout, but he's been knocked out as well. He's been stopped 4 times and he has 4 wins by knockout as well, so it's going to be a fight. I'm going to go in there and give it all that I got because all I know is his record.

PC: Minnesota is not a melting pot for boxers. Is it tough to get recognized there or do you think if you just keep winning, everything will take care of itself?

CF: Exactly; in due time, its going to come. I just have to keep winning and keep taking it one fight at a time. I don't plan on being in Minnesota for long. I'm going to branch out and live somewhere else where boxing is more popular.

PC: You had a hard life coming up. You have a very inspirational story to tell. How did you find boxing?

CF: I got into the gym when I was 13 and I was in there with a lot of older guys. And with them being older than me, it was basically a gym full of guys trying to get respect. I was like a guy…I would spar with them and they were much bigger and older than I was and they had a lot of experience, so I took a lot of abuse around that time. It made me become the fighter I am today and I'm glad I was around then because those guys were pretty good.

PC: Your mom went to jail when you were really young and you had a strained relationship with your dad, but you stay in contact with them now. Was it tough for you to forgive your parents?

CF: It wasn't tough to forgive them at all. It wasn't tough once I acknowledged that it was my mom and my dad. I never had any bad feelings towards them.

PC: You also had a friend killed not too long ago and from what I understand, you were supposed to be with him the night he was killed. How tough was that to deal with?

CF: It was tough to deal with, but I had to move forward and stay strong because I know that's what he would have wanted for me. I found out right before I walked in and fought the #1 guy from Canada in an amateur bout. I didn't get reception in the basement of the boxing gym so I didn't get the call until right before I walked in the door and my phone rings and I got the bad news call. I thought it was a joke man. I was hurt. I went in there and fought that fight the same night within an hour of hearing that. It was hurtful, but I dedicate my fights to him. I look at it like he's with me. When I'm going to the ring and when I'm in their fighting, he's watching and when I come out of the ring victorious, he's happy.

PC: Who are some of the fighters you idolize, past and present?

CF: I like Sugar Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather. Growing up though, I have a list of guys. Aaron Pryor is one of my favorites. Aaron Pryor is a living legend and he was good man. He had it all pretty much; he can punch and take a punch. I like both Mosley and Mayweather's work ethic. They have been around for awhile and I think that's partly due to the way they work in the gym. Shane never ducked anybody. That's one guy who has fought everybody, whether it was beneficial to him or not. He lost to both Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright, who were 2 fighters no one wanted to fight, and I think his fight with Cotto was a draw. Floyd has an amazing work ethic and I think Floyd edges Shane out because he's made the better decision. I don't think the draw gets used as much as it should get used in professional boxing. I think the Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez fight should have been called a draw and even Andre Dirrell's fight with Carl Froch. I think the guy that lost won the fight, but it was close and I just think judges should not be afraid to give even rounds.

PC: What can the fans in St. Paul expect to see from Cerresso Fort on December 18th?

CF: They can expect to see versatility, excitement and entertainment. I come to put on a show any time I get into that ring, so it's going to be exciting.

PC: Keep me posted on how the fight goes. Good luck on Friday night. Is there anything you want to say in closing?

CF: I want to thank you for the interview and thank all of my sponsors and God bless.