RASHEEM BROWN INTERVIEW
Posted on | November 10, 2007 | No Comments
Interview with Rasheem “The Untouchable” Brown
Philadelphia Middleweight Set For Return to the Ring
By Tony Penecale
Almost like an under-cover superhero, Rasheem Brown is a mild-manner surgical technician by day. By night, he is “The Untouchable”, a power-punching middleweight from “The City of Brotherly Love.”
Several years ago, it seemed that Brown was on the fast track to superstardom. He was undefeated and appeared several times on the undercard of Arturo Gatti, impressing the packed house at Boardwalk Hall with several spectacular knockouts.
Then Brown hit a rough spot. He lost two bouts in 2004, one of them a close split decision loss, and he walked away from the sport. He came back a short while later and is now trying to gear up for one final run at the division’s elite.
I have known Rasheem for the last seven years. I’ve seen him train, watched him spar, and interacted with him at several local cards. He is a true boxing student and he knows the sport very well. Rasheem Brown the man is a very quiet, soft-spoken gentleman. Rashem Brown the “Untouchable” is a terror in the ring.
I had a chance recently to speak with him, discussing his future in the ring, what made him walk away a few years back, the politics of the sport, and his opinion of some upcoming superfights.
TP: There has been mention of a fight in December. What is the status of that?
RB: We were hoping to get a fight for December. At this point I doubt it will come off in December. Right now, we’re getting back into negotiations to get a fight for early 2008. I’m 17-3 with 14 knockouts. I just want to get back in there and prove myself.
TP: Is there any preference to where or against whom you would fight?
RB: I would love to fight in Philadelphia. Get a tune up and then step it up from there. In 3rd fight, I’d like to fight anybody in middleweight division.
TP: You haven’t fought in 21 months (decision loss to Darnell Boone), is there any concern of ring rust?
RB: No, I’ve been in the gym the whole time. I’ve been working hard. I’ve been sparring and I am in great shape.
TP: A potential fight with Jonathan Reid fell through. Then you were mentioned as a possible comeback opponent for Edison Miranda after his loss to Kelly Pavlik. What happened?
RB: I don’t handle the business side. That is handled by Aaron (manager and trainer Aaron Ford). I haven’t heard much of that one. Right now, I’m just trying to come back. I don’t want it to seem like I am calling anybody out or trash talking. Get a win and move forward from there.
TP: You had retired a few years back. What was the reason behind that?
RB: Deciding to retire was said out of frustration. I had lost 2 straight fights in 2004 and I was very frustrated. Did you see the second loss? (a split decision loss to Jose Spearman with two judges favoring Spearman 76-75 while the other favored Brown 77-74)
TP: No, I didn’t. I know it was a split decision loss.
RB: The loss was a robbery. I scored a knockdown in the one round and it wasn’t called. I tripped over his foot and it was called a knockdown. That is 2 points and the difference between winning and losing. It hurts to lose like that.
TP: How do you feel now?
RB: I feel as strong as ever. I feel great and I can’t wait to fight again.
TP: At 31, do you think this will be your last run?
RB: To be honest, yes I do. I am going to optimistic. I am going to go all out and give it a good two-year run and then call it a career.
TP: In your last few bouts, you weighed in 162-163. You spoke about fighting back at middleweight. Are you open to take bouts at middleweight or supermiddlweight?
RB: It all depends on the opponent. If the fight is right, it is right for me!!!
TP: You fought in Atlantic City on the undercards of Gatti-Ward III (1 round KO over Joshua Onyango) and Gatti-Branco (3 round TKO over Shakir Ashanti). What was the atmosphere like for those bouts?
RB: Wow!!! I’m here!! I’m coming up the ranks and proving myself. I didn’t realize it then but thinking back, it was amazing. That was when boxing was fun. It was a business but it wasn’t a business then. I was just having fun.
TP: Do you think it will ever be fun for you again?
RB: It will never be fun again. It’s all business now. The only thing that makes boxing fun is beating guys up. Just getting in there and doing my job! The business side is crazy. You wouldn’t understand. I was in tip-top shape in January ‘07, supposed to fight every month, in top shape the whole time. But I couldn’t get a fight. That’s not fun. I was working with Anthony Thompson and Demetrius Hopkins. I was in shape with them. They were fighting and I wasn’t. It’s very frustrating. Running with them. Sparring with them. Getting them ready to fight on PPV cards. There are getting paid and I’m not. How does that make me feel?
TP: What was your inspiration to get into boxing?
RB: I was in High School and I had no extra circular activities to do. I really had nothing to do so I went to a local boxing gym to see if my athletic ability would make it as a good boxer. Fortunately it did.
TP: Who are some of your role models in the sport?
RB: Ha ha! I knew you were gonna go there. I would have to say (former super middleweight champion) Charles “The Hatchet” Brewer. Man, working in gym and learning from him. It was a privilege.
TP: Fans may not know this but you work full time as a surgical technician. What is that like?
RB: I work at Presbyterian Medical Center. I assist in the operating room during surgical procedures. To me, it is just like an every day job. Just like I am going to the office. It’s not like people think.
TP: Really? Wow! I don’t know if I could do that!
RB: Sure you can! C’mon. It’s not really that hard. You could definitely do it!
TP: I would like to get your opinion on several big name bouts that are signed or rumored coming up.
RB: OK
TP: Mosley-Cotto
RB: Shane wins that one. He has too much experience and speed.
TP: Mayweather-Hatton
RB: Floyd all day. It’s Floyd vs Gatti all over again. There is heat in the kitchen Hatton won’t be able to stay in there Floyd is 10 times faster. He will beat him dancing. He’ll be dancing with the stars all night. He is quicker and he is a harder puncher than people think. He is not a feather puncher at all. He picked Zab Judah apart. He was losing. And then he dominated. He beat him worse and worse and worse. He felt him out and picked him apart. HE walked him down and beat him. Ricky won’t be able to stand in there with him. He’ll get carved up!
TP: Jones-Trinidad
RB: Man, I got to ride with Roy and that. He is the physically bigger man. Trinidad is heavier but it is out-shape weight. If Tito lands one on the whiskers it’s GOOD NIGHT ROY. But I don’t think he will. He hasn’t been the same fighter the last few years. Winky beat Tito. He beat Tito worse than Bernard did.
TP: Pavlik-Taylor II @ 166 lbs
RB: Weight wouldn’t make different. The rematch can go either way. Jermain was talking about having to make weight but Kelly had to make the weight too. Jermain had Kelly in the 2nd round but he was head hunting and wild. He didn’t touch the body at all. Kelly is big. If they fought 10 times, they would split 5-5. Jermain was fighting smaller guys like Ouma and Spinks, guys that were 5’8” and 5’9”. It is difference when you fight guy who is 6’3”. You can do things to smaller guys that you can’t do to bigger guys. Back in the day, you would see tall and skinny guys who were not real strong. These days, guys today are big and not skinny. They are just as strong and you can’t walk them down. It would be a long night if you tried to. A guy 5’9” has got to work to hit Jermain. Kelly is 6’3”. That threw Jermain off. He was walking into jabs and punches.
TP: Hopkins-Calzaghe
RB: That’s a hard one. Joe is best supermiddleweight in world today. He fought (Charles) Brewer when Brewer was still at his best and he beat him. He got my respect right there. Bernard looked a big older in his last fight but he is still a rough and tricky fighter. I can’t go against Bernard. He’s a Philly boy. But Joe is a bad dude. Styles make fights. Joe throws a lot of punches and is tough fight for anybody. Bernard is not stronger than Joe. If he is, I’m surprised. It would be a toss-up fight. Whoever can get their style going will win that one.
TP: Thank you for your time today. It has been a pleasure speaking with you. I wish you the best of luck in your return to the ring.
RB: Thank you for the opportunity. Just let everybody know that I am coming back and to get ready.