LEONARD ELLERBE INTERVIEW

Posted on | November 19, 2007 | No Comments

AN INTERVIEW WITH LEONARD ELLERBE

John Martinez
Boxingrealm.com

(19Nov07) Moments ago, I spoke with WBC welterweight king Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s adviser and co-trainer Mr. Leonard Ellerbe. During the Q&A, he was quick to dispel any thoughts that Ricky Hatton will still be standing for the twelfth and final round. In addition to this prediction, he had a message that Team Mayweather hopes to get out regarding the upcoming Presidential elections.

JM: How do you answer critics that say this fight isn’t worthy of being telecast on HBO PPV due to Mayweather’s decisive edge in height, reach, and all around skill set?

LE: Well first of all, a fight isn’t won on paper. That is why the two combatants have to go into the ring and prove themselves. Floyd is and has been the best fighter in the world for a number of years and December 8 will be no different.

JM: What has the mentality of Team Mayweather been going into training camp and leading into fight night?

LE: You know first of all we have no concern about what Ricky Hatton is doing. We are approaching this fight like all the others. Floyd is always in tiptop shape as he always has been. He never takes any fighter lightly. He always has the same focus for his opponent no matter who it is and come December 8th he is going to show Ricky Hatton why there are different levels of boxing and why Hatton is not on Floyd’s level.

JM: What are Team Mayweather’s tentative plans for 2008?

LE: We aren’t thinking about anyone except for Ricky Hatton. Period. End of discussion. Too many fighters get caught looking ahead and that’s what gets them into trouble. Nothing else matters to us but Ricky Hatton.

JM: What is your prediction for the fight?

LE: I will tell you this fight isn’t going 12 rounds. Period. This fight is country versus country. And I think there is a lot of genuine bad blood between these two fighters and they are going to get the chance to settle that come December 8th.

This fight is the biggest fight that Hatton has ever been in. For Floyd, all he is going to do is be himself and that is the six-time world champion in five different weight classes and undefeated in eight years. Whatever Hatton attempts to do, it won’t be good enough.

JM: Who are some of Floyd’s sparring partners been?

LE: Oh, well we have been working with two former world champions in Lovemore N’dou and Carlos Baldomir along with some other great young fighters. Camp has been going real well.

JM: Can you talk a bit about the meeting that Floyd had with Senator Obama?

LE: It went well and Floyd just has a lot of respect for Obama and all the things that Barack has been able to accomplish in his career. He respects him for being an African American and making something of himself.

They (Floyd and Obama) both have accomplished so much in their respective careers and are at the pinnacle of their careers and Floyd just wants to encourage all the young people to get out and have a voice by picking who they want to run the country.

john@boxingrealm.com