“What Manny possesses, a lot of fighters don’t have. He gives angles and he has awkward movement…His velocity and speed is hard to pick up and it’s a lot to read, especially with his speed and the angles they are coming in at. So his speed and his footwork, and ability to get in and out, are difficult to deal with. He has decent defense, but the main thing that separates Manny is his angles…I let it be known that I didn’t come in to be no punching bag at all. I came in to give Pacquiao high-caliber competition. I’m definitely very competitive and I’m giving him what he needs to go in there and fight Shane,” stated undefeated rising welterweight Karim Mayfield, who talked about his experience helping Manny Pacquiao prepare for his upcoming showdown with Shane Mosley. Check out what else he had to say about Pacquiao, the fight, his own future plans and much more.
PC: How are you, man? How is everything going?
KM: Ah, cool man. I’m just looking at a few different moves and trying to make something happen one way or the other.
PC: You’ve been idle so far this year. What has been the main hold-up for you?
KM: Shit, for the most part, I had two opponents pull out of my last two fucking fights, but shit, I’m trying to work things out now. I got a couple of contracts from different promoters and I’m trying to work it out and make sure it’s right. This last look that I got was better than the previous two anyway. I’m just weighing a few things right now, but within the next few weeks, I’m gonna be signed by a promoter.
PC: What was it like for you to receive the call to spar with Manny Pacquiao to help him prepare for his fight against Shane Mosley?
KM: Ah shit, it was good. That’s how boxing is; you gotta be ready. Even though I ain’t fought in like 9 months or something like that, I was pretty much in good, decent shape to go up there. It was a great opportunity and I definitely wanted to cease the moment.
PC: Manny is on top of the world right now. What was that experience like for you to get to go and put in work with him?
KM: It is a great experience being around an icon like Manny and just being around a dude with such superior athletic ability. I’m one of those types of people that definitely adapt to my surroundings; with him and his speed, it didn’t do nothing but make me pick my game up and become a little bit more extraordinary. It’s a great experience to get the exposure and shit, and it’s a good look overall.
PC: You’ve worked with Zab Judah and Shane Mosley before prior to working with Manny. Is there anything about Manny that has surprised you during this camp?
KM: I would say his angles. Certain people possess certain things, but what Manny possesses, a lot of fighters don’t have. He gives angles and he has awkward movement. His punches come from these particular angles and the human body can only do so many things, but he comes with new things and new punches. Most of the time, it’s angles that the average fighter hasn’t seen before. His velocity and speed is hard to pick up and it’s a lot to read, especially with his speed and the angles they are coming in at. So his speed and his footwork, and ability to get in and out, are difficult to deal with. He has decent defense, but the main thing that separates Manny is his angles.
PC: What are some of the things you feel like you’ve improved on since being in camp with Manny?
KM: The main thing is the exposure as far as me as a fighter. I’m still a free agent at the moment and I have a few contract offers out there, like I said. Me being the type of guy to adapt to my surroundings physically, his level and his speed, you’re either going to adapt or you’re going to get your ass handed to you. I happened to adapt and it put my skill level on a whole different level. That’s a good look overall for me to elevate my game.
PC: The fight is right around the corner. Give me a prediction, man. How do you see this fight going?
KM: I see the fight going Pacquiao’s way by decision. It’s going to be a tough fight, and that’s why I see it going to a decision, but I see Pacquiao winning.
PC: When would you like to be back in the ring fighting?
KM: As soon as possible. I’m looking at possibly getting on the Andre Ward card, but anything can happen and shit, if I can get on this Pacquiao card, I will fight on that card; the sooner the better for me. I’m definitely ready to go. I see I’m able to compete at the top echelon level and that’s another thing I’m walking away from this camp thinking. I let it be known that I didn’t come in to be no punching bag at all. I came in to give Pacquiao high-caliber competition. I’m definitely very competitive and I’m giving him what he needs to go in there and fight Shane, man, for sure.
