"Don King has been a man of his word so far and he has done everything that he said he was going to do, which was constantly get me fights. It's a good feeling. I've been performing on a world-class level while being rusty as a nail. To be as rusty as I have been in recent fights and still be performing on a world-class level is how I know that people ain't seen the best Tavoris Cloud there is. What they have seen so far is just scratching the surface of what they gonna see in the future...I'm trying to eat man. If they done had 100 fights, they better bring the experience of all 100 fights into the ring with them that night because I'm about to eat. I got a big spoon, a big plate and a big appetite, so they gotta bring it," stated undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud as he talked about his upcoming December 17 clash with Fulgencio Zuniga. Check out what else he had to say about the fight, a potential clash with the winner of Hopkins vs. Pacal, and much more.
PC: How is everything going my man?
TC: Everything going good. I'm down in Fort Lauderdale chillin'.
PC: What kind of work are you putting in and what gym are you training at down there?
TC: I'm here in Florida and, you know, a lot of fighters come to Florida for the cold season because it's a little warmer out here. I'm training at Bonnie Canino's [gym]. She is a former boxing and kickboxing champion. She got a nice gym, so we training there and putting in hard work. We doing the stuff that the average fighter don't want to do; we training and we training hard every day.
PC: You only had one fight in 2009 because of promotional problems. You haven't been signed to Don King for very long and you're lined up to fight your second fight of the year. How good of a feeling is it to only have to worry about being a fighter and not the promotional BS as well?
TC: I mean, it's a real good feeling. When I first signed with Don, they had a lot of articles out saying, "Tavoris Cloud crossed to the bad side. Has he seen Don King's fight schedule lately?" Don wasn't putting on too many fights at the time, but Don King has been a man of his word so far and he has done everything that he said he was going to do, which was constantly get me fights. It's a good feeling. I've been performing on a world-class level while being rusty as a nail. To be as rusty as I have been in recent fights and still be performing on a world-class level is how I know that people ain't seen the best Tavoris Cloud there is. What they have seen so far is just scratching the surface of what they gonna see in the future.
PC: Yeah, you have been fighting tough guys and winning, and that's not even being consistent, so it will be interesting to see you after fighting 3 times a year.
TC: Exactly. And I'm going to give it to you to. I'm going to be like a preacher in the pulpit every time I step in the ring man.
PC: I know you felt like you could have done more in your last fight against Glen Johnson, but you were extremely inactive and Glen is...well...Glen. Now that you have had time to reflect on your performance, how do you feel about it?
TC: My last fight was average. It's a lot of things I could have did different in that fight, but like I said in another interview that I did, it was the way that I fought Glen Johnson. If you look at every other young fighter that ever fought Glen Johnson, they tried to box him. Tavoris Cloud didn't do that. I could have done that, boxed him and ran, but my mentally won't change. I wouldn't move and that's why me and Glen Johnson had that toe-to-toe fight. We kind of cancelled each other out with our styles. I know I can do a lot better, but either way, we still got the win and we got out of there still healthy. Glen Johnson is still out there doing big things and I'm going to still do big things and let's just keep it moving.
PC: Did you get to see his fight against Alan Green, and if so, what did you think?
TC: I didn't get to see the fight because I'm in camp. Glen Johnson is still on a very high level as far as competition. If these young guys get in there and they ain't prepared against Glen, they can prepare to fail.
PC: I spoke to Naazim Richardson and he said you are one of his favorites because you have a throwback fighter's mentality. You are only 21 fights into your career. What is it like to get that praise from Brother Naaz?
TC: I know Naazim way back from the amateurs. I was amateurs with his sons, Tiger and Rock. I was always the same person. I was just quiet and I got in the ring and did my thing. And real recognize real; that's all I can say about that.
PC: December 17th, you are fighting a hard-punching fighter in Fulgencio Zuniga. I don't know how much film you were able to get on him, but is it one of those situations where you just have to be at your best?
TC: Exactly. I mean, I seen a little film on him as of right now, and I know he throws wide and wild punches. I'm just looking to capitalize on that and throw punches straight down the pike. I just have to come to the fight in great shape and in the right state of mind and handle business and move on with my career.
PC: The very next day, they have a light heavyweight fight that I'm sure you will have a close eye on. Although you are only 21 fights into your career, would you be ready to step in against the Hopkins/Pascal winner if all goes well for you on the 17th?
TC: I'm confident! What you say, with only 21 fights?
PC: Yeah!
TC: (Laughing) It don't matter my man. I don't care how many fights a dude had, I'm trying to eat man. If they done had 100 fights, they better bring the experience of all 100 fights into the ring with them that night because I'm about to eat. I got a big spoon, a big plate and a big appetite, so they gotta bring it.
PC: I've been trying to track you down. It's a pleasure to get you on the site again. Thanks for your time and good luck.
TC: Alright. Thank you man hit me up anytime.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]