8CountNews sat down with undefeated heavyweight contender Donnell Holmes and got his thoughts on his big upcoming fight against the dangerous Brian Minto. Holmes is very confident going into this fight and looks to add one more victory to his undefeated record. A win over Minto will up his stock in a big way, so he's taking this fight extremely serious. This fight is scheduled for August 14th, at Pullman Park in Butler, PA. You can check out this fight on PPV at www.NESportsTV.com
8CN: Your the underdog in this fight. Your fighting in Minto's hometown on his promoters card. Does that give you more motivation to go in and get the upset?
Holmes: No,because its too big of a fight and its getting too much attention. The representatives of the organizations will be there as far as the judging. Even if it comes down to it becoming a close fight. If he should win then he should get the decision. If I should win I want the decision. Thats the only thing I ask for fair judging. Im not even concerned. Regardless of what Minto thinks about me. I really take my hat off to Brian. This is a fight that he really shouldnt take. Its a fight he really will wish he didnt take because he took me for granted. They think Im some guy from North Carolina with a built record. They dont know anything about me. I havent fought hard fights up until now,because i havent made any big money for big fights. I know that I can fight. So why would i take a hard fight. Get beat up and banged up. When I finally have a big opportunity. I took regular guys in fights so I can stay sharp and ready. This is going to be their big mistake.
8CN: Since we are the subject of regular guys youve fought. Your 31 and 0 because you have taken on fighters with bad records. Do you believe taking this Minto fight August 14 and possibly winning will salitify yourself as a heavyweight to watch out for?
Holmes: I know im a heavyweight to watch out for. No one realizes my amateur background. No one in my family ever boxed. Nobody in my area ever boxed. It was something I wanted to do that was put in me from God. I've had to fight for everything in the amateurs and the professionals. I've fought 10 years as a amateur. In 1997 I was ranked number one in the country. I was on the world class elite team for the U.S. I fought in international fights U.S. versus Russia,Cuba,the world championships. People dont realize those fights are like pro fights. I dont even think Brian Minto had a good amateur background. I dont remember him making any noise in the amateurs. Brian cant complain about the guys i fought. If you pull his record. He fought guys that had built records but they havent fought anybody but their cousins or buddies to build a record to make him look good on paper.
8CN: Minto recently switched trainers and now has who is considered the best trainer in boxing Freddie Roach. Now you were telling me before this interview you had some thoughts on Freddie?
Holmes: Freddie "Cock" Roach (laughing). I really like Freddie and I also think hes one of the best trainers out there. Im just joking calling him Freddie "Cock" Roach. This is the difference. I think thats also going to be a major mistake by Minto. I have one of the same amateur coaches ive had since 93. We have chemistry together. That means more than just having a good trainer in your corner. Freddie is not going to make a difference in one fight. Im sure he can point out some things that can help,but i think its going to hurt him. If anything Minto couldve carried his trainer out there with Freddie Roach and they work together. You dont just abandon who got you where you are. Thats why boxing has such a black eye. A lot of guys forget about the people who helped them get to where they are. Freddie Roach is a good trainer but my example is Pacquiao. Pacquiao is a very good fighter. I dont really think Pacquiao would be as good as a fighter without Freddie Roach. Its not that he is that good of a trainer and Pacquiao is that good of a fighter. Its the chemistry those 2 have together.
8CN: What have you added to your training regimen to help you go against such a good but different fighter like Minto?
Holmes: Really he is no different from the guys ive fought with the bad records. Only thing hes been protected and hasnt fought the guys that i have with the losses. My amateur trainers from day one in 93. have always been strict on the basics. Stay on balance,maintaining your stance,moving after you throw a punch and throwing straight punches. Minto doesnt do any of that. He falls forward,hes leaning in squared up. he throws wide punches. If he is going to jump on me. He is really going to regret doing that. Their expecting a reputation of a North Carolina fighter. They think if they put pressure on me ill fold. Thats not gonna happen. Its never happened in the amateurs or on the professional level. This is my coming out fight. Finally im getting a fight where im going to get some credit. I have less pressure on me in this fight then he does. Minto isnt really a good fighter to me.
8CN: Minto also had comments about you. He was quoted as saying. " I think hes going to have his hands full matter a fact I know it." Do you think he is over confident?
Holmes: I dont think he really feels that way. Everybody knows a fighter thats undefeated hasnt lost. They dont know if i have fought easier guys and built my record like he has. They dont know if I really can fight. He doesnt know really what to expect. They havent seen anything of me. He is more of a man than other heavyweights who are getting attention and tv time. I fought for him when the Klitschko fight was up in the air. I was pulling for him to get the fight. He paid his dues. I felt he deserved to get a titile shot. I just dont feel Minto is as good as a fighter as I am, but im not taking him for granted. I really think I will have my hands full for a certain amount of time during this fight.
8CN: In closing what do you want to say to all your fans that will be watching this fight? Especially in your hometown of Ivanhoe,North Carolina?
Holmes: Not only just in Ivanhoe because i come from a really small town. I also want to thank Brian Minto's fans. Minto has a wonderful fan base. Im glad they support him. Just like my hometown supports me. Thats a beautiful thing when you have someone local and you have that much of a following. My hat goes off to everyone that had something to do with this fight. It wasnt a short notice call. Ive had the same amount of time to train as Minto. The best man is going to win. If he does beat me. Which i dont think he will. He will beat the best Donnell ive ever been. Im in the best shape ive ever been in. I wont have any excuses after this fight. I have trained properly and had lots of time. Its a sport im going to compete. Im going to give 110 percent and im sure he is because its his hometown. I hope their not just Brian Minto fans but their boxing fans. I hope the fans want to see a good fight and thats what they are going to see.
8CN: Thanks so much Donnell for joining me tonight to talk to 8count!
Holmes: Yes Maam anytime!
