For most fighters, it is
the story of what could have been. All too often we see fighters with
potential have their careers ruined by boxing politics and they never
get the chances they deserve. They lose hope and desire to continue
chasing their dreams of becoming a champion. Raymond Charles could
have been just like those guys. As an amateur standout, Charles has
fought through bad management and long layoffs, but still has his
eyes on the dream of becoming a champion. With a record of 11-0-2,
the Texas native, Charles never lost hope since turning pro a decade
ago. Recently Charles got the chance he has always wanted, by signing
with former world champion Nate Campbell. Earlier this year, Charles’
career got back on path with a superb showing after an 18 month
layoff. On Saturday night in Tampa, he looks to continue his rise to
the top and turn his dreams into reality. Earlier this week, Raymond
Charles took time out to talk to 8 Count News.
8CN:Thanks for taking
time out to talk Ray. How is your training camp going?
RC: Camp is going good
and I’ve been working hard. Most of the camp has been in Tampa
working with Nate Campbell but we also spent some time in
Jacksonville.
8CN: You fight this
weekend in Tampa. What can you tell us about your opponent?
RC: I am fighting Louie
Lejia. He is 20-11 and getting beat September 19th. Other
than that I don’t know a whole lot about him. He has fought a bunch
of veterans like Floyd [Mayweather], [Ben] Tackie, and Emmanuel
Augustus. He is an experienced fighter and I’m just looking forward
to stepping up.
8CN: Is this fight going
to be at 147 or 140?
RC: It is actually going
to be at 145. My last fight was at 142. I can fight at either class
though. It depends on how my body reacts, but I can fight at either
class. For the time being though I will most likely be at 147.
8CN:Before we get to far,
how did you get into boxing?
RC: When I was a kid,
they didn’t let me play football. I saw these kids who boxed coming
in with trophies and I wanted one too. I felt like I wasted my
mother’s money because she had paid for my physical and I wanted to
do something with that instead of sit around. I kept working hard and
it paid off. I had a great amateur career with 103 fights and only
losing 10 or 11. I was the 1996 Junior Olympic silver medalist,
1997Golden Glove state champion and bronze medalist at the national
level, 1997 under 19 National Champion. I also represented Team USA
in Azerbaijan Baku at a world Tournament against all countries in
1997, and represented Team USA in a USA vs Finland Dual in San Diego.
8CN: You fought a couple
months ago in Tampa also. Can you give us your thoughts on your
previous fight?
RC: Well I am always my
toughest critic. I felt good and thought I did okay. It was pretty
much a shutout but there are still some things I want to improve on.
Most people thought it was the fight of the night.
8CN: Before your last
fight, you went through a pretty lengthy layoff. Why was that?
RC: We’ll I had a lack
of fights. I would have things scheduled and then opponents would
pull out. My last fight and this fight, I have had to deal with guys
pulling out and I end up fighting late replacements. So it is still a
problem I have. I don’t know why guys keep ducking me. Honestly, I
also had bad management problems. I was always working hard at home,
trying to be the best I can be and I never gave up faith, but the guy
on the other end didn’t give a shit about me and was only looking
to make money and wasn’t doing what he should be.
8CN: Speaking of
managers, how did you get in contact with Nate [Campbell] to become
your manager and talk about experience with him?
RC: Nate is a really good
guy. He is very honest and upfront and I respect that. That is what I
needed was someone to be honest with me. He isn’t going to sugar
coat anything. He is a fighter too and has been through it all and
can relate to what I have been going through. I feel that he has my
best interest and is going to help me improve and I appreciate
everything he has done for me.
8CN: What are your plans
and goals for the rest of the year and beyond?
RC: Well I can’t look
past this upcoming fight Saturday. Once this is over with, then I am
looking at fighting again November 6th, also in Tampa on
Terry’s [One Punch Production] card. The goal is to try to get to
14-0 by the end of the year, which we will be pretty close to. If we
don’t reach that, I will at least be 13-0 and set myself up for
some big things next year. I want to continue to work my way up and
hopefully get a shot at the NABF or NABO title sometime next year.
8CN: Any last thoughts?
RC: Don’t miss the show
this Saturday in Tampa. I am going to keep working hard and doing my
thing. My time has come and it has been long overdue. There is going
to be big things ahead.
8CN: Thanks a lot Ray.
I’m looking forward to the fight.
RC: Thanks a lot. I
appreciate it Aaron.
> BOXING SCHEDULE > ROY JONES JR. TORNADO FUNDRAISER > FIGHT LIFE MAGAZINE 
