When Mike Dallas Jr. enters the ring this Saturday in the main event of Showtime’s first
show of 2013 (10 p.m., ET/PT), he does so as a sizeable underdog against the
man known as “The Machine,” Lucas Matthysse. Not perturbed when he was offered
the fight with less than a month’s notice, he jumped at the chance. Though he
fully understands the size of the task in front of him, Dallas also believes he
has a trick or two up his sleeve that can cause Matthysse, 32-2 (30), problems
in his own right. For Dallas, who turned 26 just before Christmas, it
represents the opportunity to gatecrash the world scene. He lost back-to-back
fights in 2011, firstly to Josesito Lopez and then controversially against
Mauricio Herrera. The Herrera fight was his first working under the auspicious
eye of Virgil Hunter, much feted for his work with Andre Ward. Dallas bounced
back, winning both his fights last year, posting a shutout decision win over
Miguel Gonzalez before stopping Javier Castro in six rounds. Though not known
as a puncher, illustrated in his 19-2-1 (8) record, currently, “The Silent
Assassin” is ranked 10 at junior welterweight by the WBO.
Anson Wainwright - On Saturday, 26th January, you meet Lucas Matthysse. He's coming
into the fight with you as a pretty big favourite and with a big reputation. What
are your thoughts on him?
Mike
Dallas - He’s one of the best in the division and I can’t take anything away
from him but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the challenge and I feel
like it brings the best out of me. He’s a big puncher, sure, but he’s got flaws
that I’m capable of exploiting. You’ll see come fight night that my natural
skills will play out well against Matthysse. My hand speed will be the
equalizer and he’s going to have to find a way to put the big leather on me,
which will be difficult to do when I get into my rhythm.
AW - The fight only came about a few weeks back when Hank Lundy had to back
out. What has your preparation been like?
MD - They call me “Little Caesar’s Pizza” because I’m always “Hot and Ready”;
you know? Well, I was supposed to fight on December 8th and I was helping Amir Khan in his camp, so I stayed in shape. I’m
able to spend more time adjusting to our opponent and fundamentals. I feel so
comfortable with the team I got behind me and when you can go into the gym and
know you’re preparing the right way, it gives you an extra confidence. It’s a
feeling of being in the right position at the right time, feels great and I
know a lot of guys couldn’t prepare for a big challenge like this in the time I
have but when you’ve been waiting as long as I have for this shot, then you do
the necessary things and keep focus.
AW - You rebounded from two losses in 2011 with two wins last year. Can you
tell us about those fights and how you feel you've improved and learned from
the two losses?
MD – Well, I feel like I did good things in both my losses in 2011 and even
though I came up short, I was able to learn from each fight and understand that
those were my fights to win. The most important thing about those fights is I
got valuable learning experiences. I’ve learned to not get taken out of my game
plan and I was able to mature in a way that other fighters wouldn’t have. Since
then, I’ve grown into a much more disciplined fighter and I know that I have
the ability to dictate a fight. I won’t let a fighter take me out of my comfort
zone when I’m dangerous in my zone.
AW - While you'll be very much focused on Matthysse, the 140-pound division
is pretty stacked with talent at the moment. What are your thoughts on the
division and where do you feel you fit in?
MD – Well, I’m not even concerned with the rest of the division right now.
I feel like after Matthysse, the rest of the division will have to be concerned
with me. You’re right; it’s a stacked division and I have what it takes to
compete with anyone. As for where I fit in, I think that is best left to the
rest of boxing and all I ask is they give me my credit when I shock the world.
That’s a question that will have a much different answer after January 26th.
AW - There are some interesting match-ups between the fighters at 140. What
are your thoughts and how do you feel some of these fights play out: Danny
Garcia vs. Zab Judah, Lamont Peterson vs. Kendall Holt and maybe your new gym mate,
Amir Khan, possibly fighting your former opponent, Josesito Lopez?
MD - Yeah, well, like you said, the division is filled with great fighters
and with that come interesting match-ups. Garcia had a great 2012 but you have
to give Judah his dues because the guy has been around and seen it all. Judah
is crafty and that can’t be taken for granted. It should be a good fight.
Peterson-Holt is a great fight and I think it’s a perfect fight for both with
Peterson coming off his layoff and Holt has great momentum coming off of his last
fight. It’s a style match-up and I think they’ll bring out the best in each
other. As for Khan-Lopez, I know both fighters and I think that Khan has a new
sense of urgency about him. Khan is a dangerous dude to fight right now because
he is hungrier than ever before and his skills are sharper than ever.
AW - You train with Virgil Hunter who's done such a great job with Andre
Ward. Could you tell us a little about how he's helped you and the relationship
you guys share?
MD - Virgil is the man; he really knows this game and he adds to my
confidence. He knows how to bring the best out of his fighters and he works
from within a fighter’s attributes. Virgil doesn’t try to change his fighters;
he works with us in a way that highlights our abilities. He doesn’t just train
me; he knows how to connect with a fighter and that helps to guide an
individual. The strategy we’ve come up with is solid and he is a master at his
craft; he’s not a dictator. Virgil makes you into a believer.
AW - Could you tell us about your early years growing up in Bakersfield,
California and how you became interested in boxing?
MD - My dad was a professional boxer and he brought me up in the sport. I
remember going to his fights as a kid and I knew I would one day become a boxer
at an early age. He recently passed away, so I’m dedicating this fight to him.
I know he’s watching over me.
AW - You have a very good grounding as an amateur. Can you tell us about
those days and what titles/tournaments you won?
MD - I grew up with boxing and it wasn’t just a sport; it was a lifestyle.
I think boxing helped me stay on the right path in life and it taught me
valuable life lessons at an early age. People have to go through trials and
tribulations throughout their life and I learned all about the importance of
dedication and discipline in my teens. I won gold at the International Junior
Olympics, a bronze medal at the U.S. National Silver Gloves championships and a
silver medal at the 2006 National Golden Gloves to name a few.
AW - Tell us about yourself as a person and what you enjoy doing away from
boxing.
MD - Well, being a father is the most important role I play in life. My son
is everything to me and he fuels the intensity I have to succeed. It’s
important to have a strong motivation and a child is the strongest motivation
you can have. I just want to live up to the kind of father I had. If I can give
my kid the kind of attention and care that my father gave me, then I’m already
a success. My dad was a big part of my life and when he passed away last year,
it made me reflect on all the sacrifices he made for me and I just want to give
that to my son.
AW - In closing, do you have a message
for Matthysse and the boxing world ahead of your fight?
MD - I’m going to pull off the upset and shock the world. It won’t be a
shock to me and my team because we know what we’re capable of doing. I’m
confident but I know that I have to prove myself to the audience that doubts me
and reassure the ones that don’t. I’m thankful to Lucas for giving me the
opportunity and I’m excited to be on Showtime. I’ll be prepared come fight
night and I hope everyone is paying attention because I’m going to redefine
myself to the boxing community and introduce myself to a new audience.
