Training With Wladimir - Boxing News, Tips And Picks

Training With Wladimir
By Carlos Guzman
Posted: 5:00 am PDT 2006-11-01

Up in the mountains, where the air is thin and only the best conditioned athletes dare to run, the IBF heavyweight champion of the world, Wladimir Klitschko, prepares for the first defense of his title against the formidable Calvin Brock. After a brisk early morning run, the champ opened his doors for a select group of media.

"I love running up in the Poconos, it's great up here" said Klitschko. "Well, except for this one hill that is really tough. I don't remember the official name, but believe me I've come up with a few names of my own."

The media laughed as a confident and gracious champion fielded all kinds of questions. From politics to science, Klitschiko flexed his mental power like if he was running in New York's senate race.

I also had lunch with Emmanuel Steward, Klitschko's legendary trainer, and questioned him about Klitschko's confidence after his previous devastating losses. Steward answered like he heard that one before:

"Wladimir never lost confidence, ever," said Steward in a stern tone. "When Wladimir took on Samuel Peter, fans mistook Wladimir's tactics as a sign of weakness, a lack of confidence. That's absolutely incorrect. That was the game plan, to stand in there, and do what we did. In the end, Wladimir almost knocked him out."

Whether I agreed with the game plan or not, it was successful.

If you recall, Shannon Briggs was the original opponent slated for Klitschko. Rumor had it that Steward felt a fight with Brock was an easier fight. Again, a mistake Steward quickly corrected:

"I never said fighting Brock is an easy fighter. What I said is that it's easier to prepare for someone like Brock who's a good, basic boxer over someone like Shannon with his kamikaze tactics," said Steward.

I agree. Not only does Briggs show that freakish power early, he's very quick and can KO anybody when he's in shape. Corey Sanders did it to Wladimir in two rounds with quick hands and his unorthodox style.

Yes, in the past I've shown disdain for Wladimir, or at least the excuses that were fabricated to cover up Wladimir's losses. But meeting the man and studying him has made me come to like him. He's good for boxing, he's an ambassador for goodwill, and he even can fight. I'm expecting Wladimir, the heavy sportsbook favorite, to demolish Brock in 4-6 rounds of action next Saturday.

Opposites Attract

"Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather and Carlos "Tata" Baldomir share a little insight into their personal lives in this Q&A:

Who is your role model?

BALDOMIR: Carlos Monzon is one of my role models, but I always looked up to myself too.

MAYWEATHER: My mother, grandmother and my Uncle Roger.

Where's your favorite vacation spot?

BALDOMIR: I've never vacationed. Too busy training. I guess I like Universal Studios because that's the only place I've had the chance to visit

MAYWEATHER: Jamaica . I've been there many times.

What was your first car?

BALDOMIR: Old Toyota pickup truck.

MAYWEATHER: Yellow Indy Beretta.

What kind of car do you drive now

BALDOMIR: Nissan Frontier

MAYWEATHER: 2006 Bentley GT; 2006 Ferrari; 2006 Rolls Royce Phantom; 2006 Mercedes S550; 2006 Mercedes CL65; 2006 Maybach 62; Mercedes CL 65 Black

What was your favorite Christmas present

BALDOMIR: Last year, seeing the looks on my children's faces when I could finally afford to give them big presents.

MAYWEATHER: Beating (Angel) Manfredy ( 12/19/98 ).

How did you spend your first BIG boxing paycheck?

BALDOMIR: Bought a truck, a house and gambling.

MAYWEATHER: Didn't spend it, still got it.

What is your favorite moment in your career?

BALDOMIR: Beating (Zab) Judah ( 1/7/06 ) and finally getting recognition after fighting so many years in obscurity.

MAYWEATHER: Signing with HBO.

Describe one of your unique training weapons?

BALDOMIR: I don't eat three days before a fight so I can get really pissed off.

MAYWEATHER: All are unique, that's why I'm the best.

If you weren't a professional boxer, what would you be?

BALDOMIR: Everyone knows my previous career -- I'd still be selling feather dusters on the streets.

MAYWEATHER: Boxing promoter.

What music do you have on your iPod

BALDOMIR: I don't own or know what an iPod is.

MAYWEATHER: 50 Cent; Ray J; Mary J; Justin Timberlake.

What is your favorite meal that you do NOT eat when you are training?

BALDOMIR: Pork chops or pork sausages.

MAYWEATHER: Steak and a baked potato.

What is the most touching thing your children have done for you?

BALDOMIR: To be with me while I'm training, giving me confidence and determination to win.

MAYWEATHER: Doing great in school.

What is your favorite thing to do after a fight

BALDOMIR: Relax, enjoy time with friends and family, drinking and eating.

MAYWEATHER: Spend some time with my kids.

Weighty Issues

Boxing fans, experts, historians, all have one thing in common: a pound-for-pound list they are willing to debate to death. Talking to D.C./Virginia sports writer Joon Lee, the question came up regarding Jose Luis Castillo's recent debacle at the scales for his rubber match with Diego Corrales, and whether he buys into a pound-for-pound rating. He wasn't feeling it:

"I wonder, having never seen Castillo against a legitimate opponent north of 135, why would ANYONE, including the Ring Magazine, rate Castillo at No. 2? Why would anyone rate this guy on their fantasy pound-for-pound rankings?

"How about employing my new philosophy: if you can't make weight, you can't make the list. To be honest, if you can't make weight, you shouldn't be ranked anywhere. Diego Corrales did right in suing this clown for not making weight and deceiving the public!"

I'm not sure if the weight issues erase Castillo's performance against Mayweather, or his brutal KO of Corrales, but I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Hit me up in the comments section.

10 Seconds

It was recently announced that Cedrick Kushner found a new opponent for David Tua: it's Ross Puritty.

Kushner said that Puritty is a veteran who has never been stopped, and let's not forget that he did beat the current heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko.

In his past 10 fights, Purrity has pulled out three wins. Puritty doesn't even have a world ranking. If there was any fighter who could've benefited from enlisting in that Superfighter tournament, it's Tua.

Fortunately for fans, the undercard is chock full of top prospects from both New York City and Puerto Rico . The undefeated invaders from Puerto Rico are Jose Nieves (15-0-2, 8 KOs) and Hector Sanchez (7-0, 2 KOs). The Big Apple cast includes: "Mean" Joe Greene (14-0, 8 KOs), Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (7-0, 6 KOs), Jorge Teron (12-0-1, 8 KOs), Cindy Serrano (13-0-1, 7 KOs), Joel Castillo (1-0-0, 1 KO), John Schneider (1-0, 1 KO) and Darrel Madison (pro debut).

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