In PART TWO of this exclusive interview, Freddie discusses James Toney?s last fight with Sam Peter, Peter Manfredo?s preparation for his title fight with Joe Calzaghe, and Israel Vasquez?s upcoming fight with Rafael Marquez. Tune in to the Audio, and remember you heard it on FightFan.com!
FF: Changing things up a bit, what went wrong for James Toney in the last fight with Sam Peter?
FR: He was just really flat in the fight and had no energy whatsoever. Even in the dressing room before the fight I was worried about him because he seemed flat and it really showed in the fight. I think it was just one of those nights. He had a bad night and Sam Peter fought a great fight. He fought a much better fight than he did the first time and made some adjustments. He was in better shape than he was the first time and I have to give it to him, he fought well.
FF: Aside from being flat were you pleased with the shape James was in for the fight? It was obvious is was better than the last fight but was it good enough and where you?d wanted to see it?
FR: It was still too heavy in my mind. We weighed him his last day in the gym and he was 223 lbs and by fight time he was 233 and had put on ten pounds in the final week. I don?t know, it?s just too much weight and I like James at 217 ? 220 lbs. Just like his weight when he fought Holyfield which was his best fight as a Heavyweight, that?s his best weight. He looks to bulk up to fight a big guy like Peter but his speed is his best asset. I like him to get down in weight and use quickness. But it didn?t happen and he had a tough night.
FF: As recently as the fight with Guinn, Toney came in soft shape but managed to throw almost 1000 punches in the fight. Does he no longer have it in him to summon that kind of activity? Is that to do with age?
FR: Possibly. I recently spoke to James and John Arthur about that and I said it might be time. If James comes back to the gym and starts working again, if I don?t see the things I want to see? if he?s getting hit too much? I will tell him I think it?s over. He?s had a lot of pro fights and a long career and dealing with those heavyweights? I don?t want to see James get beat up in there.
FF: Freddie how much improvement have you seen in Sam Peter over the course of the last two fights with James?
FR: Tremendous. He fought a much better fight in the rematch. They studied tape everyday they tell me, and he made some adjustments and he was in much better condition. He learned in the first one that he couldn?t be lazy and in the second one he fought a much better fight.
FF: Do you like what the future has in store for Peter? How does he match up against the other top Heavyweights?
FR: If he doesn?t get lazy and stays in shape I think he?s got a great future. He?s a young man and he can make some noise, definitely.
FF: Freddie how is Peter Manfredo in LA with you yet? How is he doing and are you liking his chances in this fight with Calzaghe?
FR: Yes, he was sparring today, in with Craig McEwan who fights very similar to Joe Calzaghe. His sparring is pretty good and we?re looking forward to the fight.
FF: We talked to Peter last month and he sounded very hungry. It sounds like he?s not going over there to lose..
FR: A lot of people think he?s stepping up in class and some think it may be too big a step, but I think he?s ready. Peter?s looked great in his last few fights and he?s a pretty accurate puncher. Calzaghe looked great in that one fight with Lacy, but against Bika he didn?t look that great.
I?ve know Calzaghe a long time because way back when I was getting Stevie Collins ready to fight him when he won the title from Chris Eubank, but Collins retired and decided not to take the fight. Calzaghe?s been around for a long time and he?s a crafty fighter, but he?s not unbeatable. I think Peter has a good shot.
FF: Israel Vasquez is set to face Rafael Marquez in a blockbuster fight for the lower weight classes. What are your thoughts on that match up?
FR: That?s fight of the year on paper. It looks like a great fight with two game guys. It?s going to be a give and take type of fight. It?s obviously going to be a great fight and Israel?s training really hard for it. He boxed well today and has some good sparring partners, so he?s doing well.
FF: Is he pretty excited about this opportunity?
FF: Marquez is regarded as one of the top fighters in the lower classes, will this be one of Israel?s toughest fights to date?
FF: How is Israel looking in camp?
FR: Yes, it?s a great fight for us and a fight Israel is looking forward to. It?s going to be a helluva fight, that?s for sure.
FF: Marquez has fought his whole career at 118, with that being said is Israel the bigger man and will that play a role for him in the fight?
FR: I think so. Marquez gets wobbled and while he doesn?t go down I have seen him hurt a few times. If Israel hits him I do believe he can hurt him but he?s a big puncher too. Those guys are really good at their weights but I think Israel has a bit of an advantage being at 122 lbs. Israel is having a little bit of trouble making that weight and this could be his last fight at 122. We?ll be moving up to 126 very soon.
FF: Well it?s a great choice for a last fight in that division. I think that?s all we?ve got for you Freddie. Thanks for taking the time to talk with FightFan.com. All the best and we?ll catch up soon.
FR: Alright, no problem man.
