GL: After Boxingtalk first broke the news of Floyd Mayweather possibly fighting you next, we got a quick no comment from Richard Schaefer and pretty much the same from De La Hoya, who did confirm that the fight was in discussion, but nothing had been signed. Is there anything more than a no comment you can give us? “The sad part about it is, you probably know more about what’s going on than I do. I just know that there’s talks. No offers have been made, no dates have been talked about, no weights have been talked about. I’m doing what I do on a regular. I’m up running, I’m training and doing what I have to do. There’s nothing I can tell you that you probably don’t know.”
GL: Can you give us some thoughts on this possibility?
NC: “I’m thrilled about it. Dealing with more than the fact that he can fight anybody he wants I’m happy my name is being mentioned. I think that I should be mentioned, but I’m just happy and I want the fight more than anything at this point. It’s not because Nate Campbell wants to cash out, I want to fight him. I’ve always wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather. Not because I felt disrespected by him. I’m from the old school and if they say he’s the best, that’s who I want to fight. I’m out to prove myself and people who aren’t out.”
GL: Everybody wants to fight the best, so obviously you’re hoping the fight comes to fruition. Pacquiao’s next fight will take place against Joshua Clottey. Do you believe you pose more of a threat to Mayweather than Clottey does to Pacquiao? In your opinion are the fights on the same level?
NC: “Hell no. Joshua, who I love to death as a fighter, but we have totally different styles and everybody knows styles make fights. I’m going to get mine. I’m not going to wait for you to get yours, I’m going to get mine at this point, that’s just the way I am. Everybody knows when push comes to shove I can throw as many as the next guy can. I heard somebody say something I don’t totally agree with, but it is what it is. I heard somebody say Clottey is Ben Tackie 2.0. I don’t agree with that and I don’t see it that way, but nobody can say that about me.”
GL: What do you think your chances of landing this fight are at this preliminary stage?
NC: “Ain’t like I can just say I want it to be over now and it’s going to happen, but I’m a very patient man. Floyd Mayweather will be ready to move when he’s ready to move. I’m just a guy willing to make the fight. I’m not going to make it hard to make the fight and the fight could be made with one phone call as far as I’m concerned.”
GL: Floyd is the A+ player, so whoever lands the fight will be happy for the opportunity.
NC: “Most definitely.”
GL: If Not Mayweather when could expect you back in the ring?
NC: “At this point I’m not thinking, if not Mayweather, I’m just hoping it’s Mayweather. I’m hoping it’s Mayweather and I’m not thinking about anything else.”
GL: Closing thoughts?
NC: “I want to thank the fans who have consistently been down with me for this long. Thank you.”
