Shamone Alvarez; “The audience won’t be disappointed in this fight”

Shamone Alvarez; “The audience won’t be disappointed in this fight”

INTERVIEW By Rob Scott (Aug 27, 2007) Doghouse Boxing

I’ve watched the progression of Atlantic City native, Shamone Alvarez, 18-0 (11), for sometime now. He has had his definite ups, but is fully aware that the sky is the limit. In his last outing on the Shannon Briggs/Sultan Ibragimov undercard, Alvarez won the NABO welterweight title, giving him a definite shot at a future shot for world title laurels.

I spoke with Alvarez about his upcoming headlining title defense in his hometown of Atlantic City, his fight plans and what’s motivating him to be one of the best in the world.

Rob Scott: What’s going on Shamone?

Shamone Alvarez: Everything is going good, I can’t complain.

RS: You’re fighting in front of your hometown in Atlantic City on the 31st; you’ve fought in front of them before, but this time you are the headliner at Boardwalk Hall; tell us how it feels.

SA: It feels great. I mean to fight in front of my home town at Boardwalk Hall feels great; I’ve come a long way. It always feels great fighting at home because I don’t have to be on the road and travel so far; I can be here with my family and kids. I’m not on the road fighting in other spots and traveling where some can’t come.

RS: As far as the whole Atlantic City scene, how do you expect the turnout to be?

SA: Oh I expect a good turnout; it better be (chuckles). The fans have always treated me well, so I expect a decent

turnout.

RS: You won the NABO welterweight title in front of the AC crowd in your last outing. It was your first professional title, how did that feel?

SA: Really, I didn’t really realize what I accomplished until later. I see where it puts me rank wise. It made me feel real good. I mean I accomplished something by putting my name with others who had accomplished this before me.

RS: Not only showcasing your talents in front of your home town, you also make another television appearance, headlining on ESPN Friday Night Fights; has there been any pressure there?

SA: To be honest, half the time I forget that I’m going to be on television. I just train and then later on I see the lights and the mics. I do realize how much the media has helped and will help, and thus far it’s been good.

RS: A lot of outlets have you fighting Ben Tackie, but you aren’t fighting him. How did that mix-up come about?

SA: Well his name was mentioned, but it was never signed. My company and his couldn’t see eye to eye contractually I believe, so now I’m fighting a tough kid named Germaine Sanders.

RS: Your new promotional company is Seminole Warriors Boxing; how did that come about?

SA: Well when my contract with my last promoter expired, my advisor was in contact with Warriors. He realized that we needed to get with a company that will move us. I just believe it was perfect timing.

RS: Seminole Warriors has definitely made a name for themselves in recent years. How has it been working with them?

SA: Oh it’s been good. They’ve done what they have said. I’m doing my part and they are doing theirs, so all is coming to pass. It’s been like my third fight with them, with the last one being my fight where I won the title, and now I’m defending it at home.

RS: There were rumors that Kermit Cintron needed someone to fight and they mentioned you as a possible opponent in the future. I know you guys are friends, did you hear of this rumor?

SA: It was never said to me, meaning no contracts were ever sent for me to sign. He is a good friend of mine, and I would fight anybody, but it’s not like I’m campaigning to fight him or anyone for that matter. I’m trying to go the way of my advisors; meaning if they say jump, then I’ll jump. If they say walk, then I’ll walk. I’m all for what’s good for our team.

RS: Well you are in a talented weight division, with some good champions. Being the NABO champion puts you right in line for a world title shot, when is your team’s time frame for that shot?

SA: Once I get past my fight on the 31st, we want to fight two more fights between October and December, and then look for our world title shot in March or April.

RS: Any champion in particular?

SA: You know seriously, I don’t even think about it. I’ll fight anyone. I’ll just sit back, be patient and let things happen.

RS: Well it’s funny, different people fight for different reasons. Some people fight for money, while others fight for fame; and it depends on which guy you fight, that will get you more of each.

SA: Yeah but I feel it will all come in due time. People always try and tell me what to do with my boxing career, but I let things manifest; and as long as everyone from my team does their job and I keep winning, it will all happen. The fighters that some think I should be calling out, trust me, they will happen eventually.

RS: So what’s your motivation?

SA: My family and kids are my motivation. That’s why I want things to happen when they are supposed to, not before. It’s going to come. I just know it will be the best time. I’ve fought amongst somebodies, and soon I will fight those somebodies. When I was 18, 19, 20 years old, I didn’t know what I was going to do. Now I’m at a level of knowing what I want to do. I can also make it easier for my kids; and if they can use my name and sacrifices to do things with their lives, then I did something, you know what I mean?

RS: Well it continues on August 31st at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Again, you headline in a fight against Germaine Sanders on ESPN.

SA: Yes. He is a pretty decent boxer who’ll give me a good fight. I know he uses his legs, boxes and he can punch. He’s 27-3-1, with 17 knockouts and he’s a game fighter. Trust me, the audience won’t be disappointed in this fight.

RS: Thanks again Shamone for taking the time to talk with our readers, and best of luck to you in the fight and your career.

SA: Thank you – anytime.

I’d like to thank Shamone yet again for taking the time to talk with me before his fight. Tune in to ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights live on August 31st when Seminole Warriors Boxing brings you Shamone Alvarez defending his NABO welterweight title against Germaine Sanders; also former IBF 140 pound champion, Juan Urango, 17-1-1 (13), makes his return to the ring when he takes on Nasser Athmani, 20-4-1 (16), in a junior welterweight clash.

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Rob at: Robscottxl@msn.com