On Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to speak with middleweight prospect, Jesse Nicklow. Nicklow (20-2-3, 7 KOs) just fought to a MD draw with Julius Kennedy (7-1-1, 3 KOs). The fight was a great one, as many ringsiders described it as Maryland?s fight of the year. Nicklow talked about the September 17 bout, and his feelings about the disappointing decision.
8CN: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me, Jesse. How are you doing?
JN: I?m doing good.
8CN: You fought Julius Kennedy on September 17th, and the decision was a majority draw. First of all, tell me a little bit about Kennedy. What were his strong points?
JN: He?s efficient, he?s a tough guy, he moves forward, he throws a lot of punches. You know, he tries to stay busy.
8CN: I know a lot of ringsiders felt that you should have won the fight. How did you feel about the decision?
JN: Well, I watched the fight. After the fight, I clearly felt like I won the fight. I felt like I?not dominated, but I feel like I controlled the fight. It was definitely a competitive fight, but by no means was it close. You know, everybody?s saying that it was a close fight. There?s a huge different between being competitive and being close, and the fight wasn?t close. I felt like I only lost maybe the 5th round and the 9th round. I wanted a rematch. They said they aint takin? a rematch. If you go to the interview that?s on YouTube, they interviewed me, and they interviewed him, and you clearly see who looks like they been in a fight and who looks like it?s been a breeze in the park.
8CN: I?ve heard that it was a tremendous fight. Some are already calling it Maryland?s fight of the year. It?s a shame they don?t want a rematch.
JN: Yes sir. I would love to have a rematch. I actually told my fianc? that I was gonna take the rest of the year off, but uh, you know, if he would fight me in October or, you know, whenever. If he would fight me next week, I?d be more than happy to fight him. I?m just really upset that things like this happen in boxing. It seems that judges can be persuaded on many different counts, you know what I mean? I clearly won the fight. It?s not right, but I give my hat off to him for goin? 10 hard rounds with me. It was definitely a good competitive fight, but it wasn?t close. I pretty much did what I wanted.
8CN: I know you feel like you got the win, but would you do anything differently if you had it to do over again?
JN: Uh? (long pause) I can honestly say no. I mean, I did everything perfect, you know what I mean? My punches were landing. I was moving my head. I wasn?t getting hit. It was just one of them things.
8CN: Name some boxers who inspire you. JN: I?ve always been a fan of Kostya Tszyu, Marvin Hagler and I guess I would say Tomasz Adamek.
8CN: Do you take anything from those guys, or do you feel that you completely have your own style?
JN: I just have my own style. If I have to, I can box. If I need to put pressure on, I?ll put the pressure on. You know, I can do everything. I guess Tomasz Adamek. He?s known as a pressure fighter, but if he has to, he can box. Same with Ricky Hatton and Kostya Tszyu.
8CN: You?re only 23. You have a lot of time left to fight. What?s next for you?
JN: I was in a fight in March with Scott Sigmon. That was a close fight. It was a hard, 10 rounder. It was grueling. I don?t wanna get too much wear and tear on my body. I need a little break. You know, just because I?ve only fought in boxing 2 times this year, it doesn?t mean I haven?t been training all year. I also had an MMA fight in June, so I?ve been pretty busy all year.
8CN: Ok, Jesse. What would you like to say to your fans out there?
JN: I?d just like to thank everybody for supporting me, and if you ever get a chance to buy a ticket, or whatever, I can guarantee you you?re gonna get your money?s worth.
8CN: Thanks for the interview, Jesse. God bless you.
JN: God bless you, and thank you for having me.
