Paul Thorn Talks Music, Mayweather/Pacquiao, Roberto Duran and more…

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By "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr., Doghouse Boxing (March 28, 2015)

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Paul Thorn

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Singer / Songwriter Paul Thorn has been entertaining the masses for years now, with his brand of rockabilly, mixed with some heart felt rhythm and blues, he captivates the audiences with his honest approach to his music, and amusing story telling. In the mid-eighties Paul embarked on a professional boxing career that lasted about three years. He compiled up a 10-3-1 (5 KO’s) record, with a Mid-South Middleweight title. His biggest fight came in 1988 against the hard hitting legend Roberto Duran. Although out gunned and not at the level that Duran was on, a bloodied and bruised Thorn, went six grueling rounds with Duran in a whole hearted effort. The bout was stopped by the doctor because of a gash inside Paul’s mouth that would not stop bleeding.

Paul hung up the gloves and grabbed the guitar and debuted his first album in 1997. Paul began touring with the likes of Sting, Huey Lewis and the News, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler and Bonni Raitt, just to name a few. And to date has released seven studio albums, including his latest entitled, “To Blessed to be Stressed”, which is a collection of positive anthem songs. In this exclusive interview, Paul Thorn speaks out on his latest record, his tour, touches a bit on his former career as a boxer, and gives his thoughts and prediction on the upcoming Mayweather/Pacquiao fight, enjoy.

Benny Henderson Jr. First off I would like to thank you for taking the time to speak with Doghouse Boxing again. Here you are in the middle of your tour, “To blessed to be stressed”, your thoughts on what has been going down and the success of the album.

Paul Thorn I am out here touring the country and singing songs off my new record. They are some up lifting songs on this album and right now I feel this world can use them.

BH Your thoughts on writing the songs and laying down the tracks in the materialization of this album.

PT The album is like anthems. Things that people say and do, no story telling songs, but songs that can lift you up and put you in a better mood.

BH We know you were as former boxer, your biggest moment was against Roberto Duran. So I have to ask, what was it like stepping in the ring with such a legend?

PT It was a mixture of fear, and fear. (He laughs) I was afraid, every fighter is afraid, if they are telling you the truth. I guarantee Duran was afraid too, he just had a whole lot more experience than me. He was the better fighter. The main thing that held me back was that I had self-doubt. I was in great shape, but mentally I do not think I had that little extra something that people like Roberto Duran had. Confidence based on experience and the repetition of doing it some many times. If you do something over and over again you can prefect it, and he had perfected it. That was what made him special.

BH Speaking of confidence, when fighting you are stripped down to nothing but trunks, the fans see every punch you take and make, the same for being up on stage, the fans see and hear every chord, every key, off or not. You ever get up on stage and doubt yourself?

PT I have a lot more confidence on stage then I do in the ring, I feel like I am better at this than I was boxing. There is no comparison; I do not have any real fear when I get on stage. Maybe a little butterflies every once and a while, but nothing like boxing, boxing is like walking to the guillotine. It is very real walking to the ring. The worst on stage is that you can be booed off stage, but in the ring you can get knocked out. (He Laughs) I would rather be booed off stage then knocked out. And being a former boxer, I could probably whip there ass, but they do not boo me anyway. (He laughs) Even though I could not whip Duran I could probably whip them.

BH The big fight coming up is Mayweather versus Pacquiao, your thoughts and prediction.

PT Floyd Mayweather will tell you that he is the greatest fighter of all time, but I disagree, he may be the greatest fighter of his era in his weight class. He has a pretty inflated ego. Apparently he has never watched taped of Wilfred Benitez, Alexis Arguello or Aaron Pryor. He needs to go back and watch some of those films, and I am not taking anything away from him, he is great, but he is not the greatest of all time like he says he is. But, he is great for his time. Keep in mind, this is only my opinion, I think he has slightly slowed down a little bit, he has so many gifts and talent, he is still a force to be dealt with. In reality, my heart wants Pacquiao to win, he is a great champion. Mayweather fights like a champion, but does not act like a champion. I think a champion should not be as arrogant and self-centered as he is. To where Pacquiao has all the qualities of a champion, he is a humble person, donates his money to his country, he is a great fighter. But, he does have a tall task ahead of him trying to land punches on Mayweather. I do not count Pacquiao out, if Mayweather has truly slowed down as I believe he has, as fast handed as Pacquiao is, he could land something big and hurt Floyd like Shane Moseley did. Moseley almost knocked him out, but after that Mayweather made some adjustments and went into a defensive shell. My heart wants Pacquiao to win, but my brain tells me Mayweather by decision. Mayweather is a defensive wizard. It is such a pick’em fight, any man could win.

BH Be sides entertainment value, what do you want people to get out of your music.

PT You know, people will come up to me and tell me they got something out of certain songs, on this new record, some say a few of these songs have helped them, and that’s the best pay off you can get. That sure means something to me.

For more info on Paul Thorn check out www.paulthorn.com

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