About.... To some of his former opponents, the name Edison Miranda brings back bad memories which has probably left some of them waking up in cold sweats from their time in the ring with him. He is a fearless fighter who enters the ring always determined packed with a powerful punch that feels like a Mack truck hitting you at full speed. Edison was born 1981 in the tough slum of Buenaventura in Colombia. He was abandoned by his mother when he was just a month old and at the age of nine decided that he could take care of himself which led to him escaping his caretaker and hitting the relentless streets of Colombia. Up until the age of 15 he took on a number of jobs that included the likes of construction, plantain fields and finally working as a cattle butcher all while other children his age was studying in school. After his last job due to his skills fighting on the tough streets of Colombia he decided boxing may be a better career path for him. Trainers knew instantly that Edison was a very special fighter and blessed with his determination and power he was able to take to the amateur ranks with ease. Throughout this time he amassed an incredible array of titles,medals and trophy's, taking four Colombian national titles and a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic trials in Argentina but sadly failed in his search for an Olympic medal where he didn’t get the nod to make the Colombian national Olympic team. Leaving the amateur ranks, Edison’s record stood at an impressive 128 wins from a massive 132 bouts. His professional debut landed on March 2001 where he needed just one round to stop his fellow countryman Jose Chiquillo in Barranquilla, Colombia. People ringside were impressed by Edison’s power and aggression but Edison had more to prove, which left another twenty one fighters in his wake and on the canvas in an amazing stoppage / knockout streak before realizing his dream, making his long awaited US debut. Since hitting America his fan base soured in numbers as we got to witness this exciting knockout specialist who could stand with the world’s best and put some much needed excitement back into the sport. He has continued to hold a very impressive knockout / stoppage streak which has left twenty eight of his opponents unable to continue either by way of being unconscious or broken mentally. Facing the world’s best from Howard Eastman to Arthur Abraham to Kelly Pavlik, this man is fearless and with a new trainer behind him, in the shape of the great Joe Goossen, he is again ready to unsettle the current world champions and make a title run of his own starting with the WBO Super Middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz on January 9th 2010. We caught up with Edison last week who was gracious enough to talk to us here at TopClassBoxing:
Interview.... Acura Nsx What is your Favorite Movie? Blade What is your Favorite Music? Salsa What is your Favorite Meal?Whole fried fish What is your Favorite Holiday resort? Universal Studios Who is your Favorite Fighter? Muhammad Ali What is your Favorite Fight of all-time? Ali / Frazier
Can you tell us what it was like for you growing up in Colombia? I grew up on the streets of Barrenquilla since I was 9 years old. Most people don't live long like this even as adults. I was very street smart and was able to find ways to eat and make money. I never knew what it was like to be a child and play. I have worked from as long as I can remember. Being on the streets as a child is a real fight. Being in the ring is easy for me. Being from a hardened country like Colombia did you find it difficult to be given the chance at a professional contract? My childhood made everything seem very easy to me. Going to the gym everyday and working on my boxing skills was a vacation compared to what I had before I found boxing. My first mangers used me and I never made any money. They just gave me food to live. But that was OK because I knew that I would one day be discovered and God had a plan for me. I finally found the right people when I was brought to America. My current managers are the best thing that every happened to me and have given me many opportunities. I heard throughout your younger days that you had a lot of jobs can you tell our readers what jobs you were employed to do? I did whatever I could to make money. Many people in the streets did drugs but I knew there was a better way so I stayed away from them. I did mechanical work on cars, all kinds of construction, worked in a slaughter house and plantain fields. Whoever offered me something to do for money I would work hard for it. You obviously have a gift for boxing but how did you get started in the sport?I had a dream one night of a boxer. But at that point I did not even know what boxing really was. The next day I ask someone where I could learn to box and went to the closest gym. I told the man at the gym I wanted to be a boxer and he laughed at me because he said I was too small. That made be angry and even more of a reason to prove him wrong. I started training the very next day. Who has been your biggest influence throughout your boxing career so far?Muhammad Ali For some of the people who have yet to see you fight could you please describe your fighting style?I'm a stone cold killer (laughing). I don't have a particular style. I can box when I need to box, but I am always looking for the KO. Now I am with Joe Goossen and we are making some great changes. Keep watching! You are known as one of the hardest hitting boxers in the world today but what do you consider to be your best punch? Most people think I am only strong with my right hand. But I am just as strong with my left. We are working hard in the gym to use my left hand more during fights. What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses? My heart is my strength and I continue to work on any weaknesses that I may have. Throughout your Amateur / professional career you have achieved some great things but which of them would be your proudest achievement?My happiest moment was when I knocked out Howard Eastman on ESPN. Before that most people had never heard of Pantera. I knew then that I had finally achieved my goal and had made a name for myself in the sport that I love. Can you take us through a typical training day on a run up to a big fight?I train 6 days a week. 3 hours in the gym and 1 hour of running. Most days are hard sparring and working on skills and game plans for the upcoming fight.
Who in your opinion is the world’s current Pound 4 Pound king? Do you believe Floyd Mayweather Jr had done enough in his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez to merit the top spot or do you still believe Manny is sitting on top or possible someone else as that right? Mayweather is no doubt the P4P king. No question about it.
Andre Dirrell - Fast, decent power, no heart Arthur Abraham - Strong, great defense and a warrior Jermain Taylor - He was finished before the tournament. Andre Ward - All around best athlete of the six. unless he gets caught which will be hard to do, he wins the super six. Mikkel Kessler - He will lose to Andre Ward, too many flaws. (question given before the fight took place) Carl Froch - Entertaining fighter but lacks what it takes to beat Kessler, Ward and Abraham. Even Dirrell would have beat him if he would have actually fought. There are reports that Allan Green is being considered to enter the tournament in place of Jermain Taylor who was viciously knocked out. Have you been approached to enter the tournament and do you think that you have more of a right to enter the tournament knowing you have already beaten Allan Green?I have not heard anything about Jermain Taylor's condition. He is a class act and I wish him the best in his recovery. But if he cant return, there is no doubt I have more right to be in this tournament than Allen Green. Who has Green beaten? My fight with him was not even close and I don't see any reason for a rematch. However if that is what people want to see, I have no problem taking care of Alan one more time. He knows he can never beat me. I assure you that if this fight happens we will continue from the 10th round in our last fight and I will finish him off this time. Did you catch the super six fights between Froch v Dirrel & Abraham v Taylor and what did you think of the fights?It was a close fight that Andre Dirrell could have won if he fought like a man. Froch is not hard to beat, but you need to fight him. I knew Abraham would ko Taylor and I am surprised that the fight last as long as it did. Do you think the knockout that Taylor suffered will now result in his retirement from the sport? That was the second big knockout in as many fights.I thought his career was over before that knockout. If he is allowed to box again then it is up to him. But if his injuries are as bad as some people say then he may be finished.
Sierra was much stronger then I thought. He hit me one time and it was one of the strongest punches I ever felt. Joe Goossen and I had a game plan going in to this fight and we executed it well. I saw very early some errors that Francisco was making and I took advantage of it when I could. I was not going for an early KO, it just happened. What did you know of Sierra before you fought and what was your preparation going into the fight?I knew almost nothing about him other than he was tall since my sparring partners were tall. Joe is the best trainer in the world and he had a great game plan. There was no reason to watch his tapes. Throughout your career you have faced some of the best fighters in the sport today but which of your wins have been your most satisfying and which was your most difficult fight?Howard Eastman was one of my toughest opponents and my favorite win. That is when I showed the world that I would be a champion. One of my more difficult fights was the first time I fought Arthur Abraham. It was difficult since I was fighting Abraham, Neuman (the ref), the judges, and even the doctor. I would have needed 6 KOs to win that fight! believe Joe Goossen to be one of the best trainers in boxing at the moment and is someone who can always add to a fighters skill set. What is it like to work with Joe Goossen? and what new ideas as he brought to your training camps?Everyday I go to the gym I learn something new with Joe. Jose Bonilla is a great friend of mine and always will be. But there are certain kind of fighters that need certain kind of trainers. Joe is perfect for me and with him in my corner I know that I will finally give my fans the championship that I have always promised them. You have faced two of the biggest hitters in the Middleweight division so far in your career against Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham, Who in your opinion hits the harder?Howard Eastman hits harder then both. At this point in your professional career what would be your dream fight at this time?I want to fight Abraham again. The first fight was stolen from me at gunpoint. He didn't want to continue. The second time he beat me, but I feel I was not prepared. I don't like to make excuses, but with Joe Goossen's help I know I will have the right game plan to beat him and be ready.
What are your plans for 2009/2010? I will fight anyone, anywhere. It doesn't matter to me. I want to fight the best fighters out there even if it is in their backyard. Joe Goossen is a very smart trainer and I finally will have a game plan to execute for anyone I face. On leaving is there anything you would like to say to the readers of TopClassBoxing? Thank you for your support. I very much enjoyed my week in London earlier this year. You have some of the best and most educated boxing fans in the world. I would love to come back soon and fight your champion Carl Froch. He has a big heart and it would be a very entertaining show while it lasted. I promise my fans I will make them proud and be a champion soon! Since this Interview took place Edison has signed to fight WBO Super Middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz in Germany on 9th January 2010, We at TopClassBoxing will try to get a few questions sent over to Edison and update this Interview accordingly. We would also like to say a BIG thank you to Greg Wantman because without his help this Interview wouldnt have been possible. Interview conducted by: Paul Daley Banner designed by: Wayne Wiliams If you are involved in boxing in some way and have an interest in doing an Interview with us at TopClassBoxing. Please email me your name and email address to Paul@TopClassBoxing.co.uk. |
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