THE GLADIATOR RETURNS!!
Posted on | April 11, 2007 | 1 Comment
“The Gladiator” Returns
Philadelphia’s Willie Gibbs Looking to Rebound on ESPN2
By Tony Penecale
For Philadelphia middleweight Willie Gibbs, 2006 carried the highest of highs – a win for the USBA title in dramatic fashion – and the lowest of lows – a knockout loss on HBO to the highly touted Edison Miranda.
Last March, Gibbs ventured to Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket CT to outslug Lenord Pierre in a candidate for Fight-of-the Year. Trailing on two of the three cards, Gibbs rallied to floor and stop Pierre with only seven seconds remaining in the final round.
Gibbs later relinquished the belt and chose to face the dangerous Edison Miranda in an HBO showdown in December. Miranda, coming off a controversial loss in a world title challenge, caught Gibbs cold late in the first round. A follow-up flurry put Gibbs on the canvas with seconds remaining. Although dazed, Gibbs tried to pull himself up as the referee reached the 10 count. It was revealed after the fight that Gibbs suffered damage to his knee when he awkwardly fell to the canvas, an injury that was thought would sideline him for some time.
With the injury not as severe as initially thought, Gibbs (20-2 w/ 16 KOs) returns to face the tough and experienced Raymond Joval at the Paradise Theater, in Bronx NY, on Wednesday, April 11 on ESPN2. Joval, recognizable by his unique blonde-ring hairstyle, was last seen in the ring 16 months ago as he battered Australia’s Shannan Taylor and claimed the IBO middleweight title with a tenth round TKO. Joval (35-4 w/ KOs) was later stripped of the title. Recently, at the Philadelphia National Guard Armory, I had the chance to catch up with Gibbs.
TP – How is the knee? Do you think this is too soon climbing back in the ring?
WG – My knee feels great. The knee twisted when I went down. I had trouble putting weight on it when I first got up. But after that, it was fine. My knee feels strong. I feel strong.
TP – How has training camp?
WG – Training has been excellent. I’ve been running with no problems. I’ve been sparring with “One Punch” (Philadelphia Light Heavyweight Simon Carr) and I feel great! I am ready to fight!
TP – Your fight with Lenord Pierre was a candidate for Fight-of-the-Year. Congratulations! Tell me your thoughts on that bout.
WG – It was a tough fight. Pierre came to fight. It was definitely a big win for me.
TP – The loss to Miranda was an obvious disappointment. What happened?
WG – Miranda is a hard puncher. He has a lot of power. He caught me with a good shot high on the head. I was OK and I was trying to pick up the ref’s count. I got up when he reached 10. I think he stopped it to fast. He should have given me a chance to show that I was OK. I am a gladiator! This is what I do!
TP – The dream match right now is Jermain Taylor vs. Edison Miranda. How do you see that bout unfolding?
WG – Taylor wins that bout. Miranda is a good puncher. But Taylor is a very good boxer. And skill will beat power. Taylor will box him from the outside and not let Miranda land his bombs. Taylor wins!
TP – You are facing a tough opponent in Raymond Joval. He has fought quality opposition. Your thoughts?
WG – Joval is a good fighter. He gave (Fernando) Vargas a difficult bout (March ’05). He won the IBO title and we wanted that title on the line for this bout. They stripped him so we won’t get the title shot.
TP – Final comments on the bout?
WG – As I said, I am a Gladiator! I am coming to win this bout by any means necessary. Make sure you watch on April 11. The Gladiator is Back!