Exclusive Interview: John “Action” Jackson

At only 23 years old, John “Action” Jackson has been in the ring for over ten years and you can see that he has the potential to be world champion simply by taking one look at him in the ring.  Jackson possesses lightning quick speed and dominating power while fighting in the lightweight division, but it’s his heart and the drive to succeed which truly makes him stand out as a great fighter.  While fighting out of the legendary Kronk Gym, the Detroit native had a stellar amateur career that included winning a silver medal in the 2003 U.S. Boxing Championship and capturing first place in the 2004 Ringside World Championship.  Since turning pro in the summer of 2005, Jackson has reeled off 13 wins, all coming by way of knockout. This Saturday night will be “Action” Jackson’s first appearance in the ring for 2009, when he takes on tough veteran Ricardo Medina as part of Don King’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre HBO tripleheader.  Jackson took time out from his training camp to talk to 8countnews.com.

8 COUNT: It is always an honor to talk to one of the top prospects in boxing. How is your training camp going?

JACKSON:  Thanks for having me. Training camp is going great. I was actually scheduled to fight on the Berto-Collazo card in Tennessee a couple weeks ago, but that fell through. So the following Monday, I was back in Miami training at Xtreme Boxing with Breidis Prescott and Antwone Smith ready to go for my next fight.

8 COUNT: Before we get too far, how did you get into boxing?

JACKSON: I have always been a fan and watched boxing growing up as a kid. I got into boxing when I was twelve years old.  A friend of mine had gotten into some trouble and was arrested a couple times. It was the same cop who arrested him both times, and he told my friend that he should go over to the Kronk Gym and start boxing. My friend had told me about it and I went with him. I fell in love with it right then. It just came natural to me. Less than a month later I had my first fight. Even though I lost that fight, I had the determination to come back and fight and I beat him a month later. I was up there for seven years before I moved to Miami and turned pro.

8 COUNT: Why did you decide to turn pro in Miami instead of Detroit?

JACKSON: I grew up my entire life in Detroit and it is a hard place to live. My father died in 1997. I had a couple problems up there and my family had financial problems.  I am one of seven kids. I needed a change and a different environment. I had to separate myself from negative things that were going on around me. I was ready to turn pro and a friend introduced me to Armando Fernandez, who became my manager. I really didn’t know anything about him except from what other people said and I took a chance with them and they took a chance with me.  I always trained hard in the amateurs but not as hard as I knew I could.  I won two Ringside National Championships and could have easily been a U.S. National champion too but that is the way amateur boxing is.

8 COUNT:  After being a pro for a couple years, you signed on with Don King. Tell us what that has been like?

JACKSON: It has been great. It came at the right time in my career. I couldn’t really get a fight and I had a few month layoff. I really needed a promoter and who is better to be with than Don King?

8 COUNT: This coming Saturday, you have a big fight on the HBO tripleheader undercard against Ricardo Medina. Do you know anything about him?

JACKSON: I really don’t know much about him. I know he is a tough veteran who has had a lot of fights. I am ready for a tough fight. I have been in there with several veterans like Marteze Logan and Reynaldo Hurtado. I don’t train for any walkovers. I train for the toughest fight it can be. I treat every fight as a big fight. That is why I have my knockouts. I have my speed, I use my skills and I don’t take anybody lightly.

8 COUNT: Your first loss was against a veteran Armando Cordoba in an 8 round split decision. It was a pretty controversial decision (NOTE: I scored the fight 77-75 for Jackson)

JACKSON: Well for one, I learned not to leave it in the judges’ hands. I learned I always have to be prepared.  I didn’t train 110% like I should have. I had some issues going on outside of boxing .That was my 8^th fight and my first 8 rounder, while Cordoba had over 50 fights. There are no excuses though. A lot of people thought I won but I can’t let that get to me. I had to go back in the gym and train even harder. I said to myself that that fight could either make me or break me and I didn’t come to Florida for nothing. I left my family at 19 to do this as a living. Boxing is my life. I have to win.

8 COUNT: After this fight Saturday night, what are your plans for the rest of the year?

JACKSON:  Every fight I take I want to be a step up against tougher competition. I just train to fight. I don’t decide who they put in front of me. By the end of the year, I would like to fight for a small title and work my way into the rankings. My goal is to fight for the WBC belt. Everyone wants that green belt.  That is what I really want. I understand it is a long process to get there and I have to keep working hard to work my way up the rankings. I’m not into calling people out. Whoever is in front of me is who I want to fight. Whoever I have to beat to get to the top is who I want.

8 COUNT: Any last comments

JACKSON: Well for those who haven’t seen my fight make sure you check out John “Action” Jackson. I bring a lot of speed and excitement when I fight. I will be a new face in the future of boxing. If anyone wants to contact me hit me up on my MySpace page. Everything is going to be good. Thanks to the people who have been following me and expect big things from me soon.

Check out John “Action” Jackson here on youtube.com and at  myspace.com/actionjacksonpak.