|
‘When are you going to fight
Ruiz?’
WBA president calls out Lamon Brewster
By
Mark Dodge
Fightbeat Senior Staff Writer
In a
rare, spontaneous meeting between the president of one organization and the
champ of another, longtime WBA president Gilberto Mendoza talked boxing with WBO
heavyweight king Lamon Brewster backstage at the United Center Saturday night
before the Rahman-Barrett post-fight news conference.
Surprisingly, Mendoza called Brewster over specifically to ask him when he was
going to face the WBA heavyweight champ John Ruiz – who wasn’t in attendance.
The
question seemed to catch Brewster off guard. Pointing to Don King, who was at
the podium to begin the session, Brewster politely said, “I’d love to fight John
Ruiz. But he’s the one who makes the fights.”
Then
Mendoza complimented Brewster on his win over Golota, and Lamon smiled and said:
“Well, my trainer Bill Slayton always told me that they pay you the same whether
you fight one round or twelve.”
At that
moment, Brewster’s cell phone rang and he quickly told the person on the other
end that he’d call them back.
“That
was my wife checking up on me,” the embarrassed champ told Mendoza. “I’m alone
baby,” he said, as the two men laughed.
Actually, Brewster wasn’t alone. He’d spent the evening with his cousin, Chris
Byrd, posing for photos with fans and basically hamming it up. Byrd has an
upcoming IBF title defense against Davarryl Williamson, tentatively scheduled
for October, while Brewster is flying to Germany to take on Luan Krasniqi on
Sept, 28.
When
asked about his next fight in Hamburg, Brewster didn’t seem too concerned.
“Not to
underestimate him, but Krasniqi’s just a stepping stone for me,” he said. “The
fans can’t get in the ring and fight for him. I know he’s a crafty boxer. He’s
got a lot of experience from the amateurs. I believe he was ranked number two
in the world back then. But I fought him in a dual meet years ago and I beat
him. So I’m looking forward to this opportunity because it gives me the chance
to travel outside the United States and show the world that I’m not just an
American champ. I’m a world champion.”
****
Comments?
[back to top]
|
