Cincinnati is a city that is known for raising many of today's great personalities and is one which is proud of it's standing in many of today's biggest sports. The NFL's franchise team The Bengals and Baseball's major league team The Reds apply their trades here but it's been a while now since the people of Cincinnati have had anything to shout about in the way of boxing.

In the early 40's and 50's Ezzard Charles was the fighter who gave the city it's exposure in the sport. A fighter that started his career at Middleweight before moving and becoming one of the greatest Light Heavyweights the sport had ever seen, before settling in the heavyweight division where he also won world championships. Aaron Pryor was the next to take a swing at greatness and hit a home run in doing so, going down in the history books as one of the greatest fighters to ever lace gloves throughout the Welterweight division.

Since that time a lot has changed and no longer since the days of Charles and Pryor has the city been able to stand and applaud one of it's own world champions. In 2010 that could all change with the emergence of a red hot prospect by the name of Rashad Holloway.

Rashad is a slick fighter with all the foundations of being a great professional but one who is sometimes overlooked. This too may all change come November 4th when we will see him go head to head with the World title challenger Francisco "El Gato" Figueroa in what promises to be a great match up of styles.

Last week I caught up with Cincinnati's own Rashad Holloway who took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with us here at TopClassBoxing and give his opinions on Pound 4 Pound rankings, his prediction on the upcoming super fight between Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto and what he expects from his match up with El Gato.

---

Interview....

Can you give a brief description of your favorites for the following?

What is your Favorite Car?

I have two favorite Cars a 1968 Chevelle SS and the Bentley Coupe

What is your Favorite Movie?

Gladiator. Old Boxing Movie with Cuba Gooding Jr

What is your Favorite Music?

I love Rap and R&B so It's a Toss Up LOL

What is your Favorite Meal?

When I am Training I like Salmon, Spinach and Aspatagus. When I am not training I like Fried Chicken, Maccaroni and Cheese, Collard Greens and Cany Yams

Favorite time of the year?

Christmas cuz I get to go see my family and get them things

Who is your Favorite Fighter?

Dont have one now but of All Time it is Sugar Ray Leonard and Gerald McClelan

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Rashad you are obviously very talented and have made a great start to your boxing career but can you take us back to how you got started in the sport?

I started boxing at the age of eleven after seeing a golden glove tournament. My father came home from a lil vacation and took me to the gym.

Most fighters usually have someone who guilds them on their path to boxing glory, who has been your biggest influence throughout your boxing career so far?

My oldest brother Sherod has been my biggest influence.

I have seen all of your professional fights so far and can tell you I am very impressed by your skill set, for the fight fans that aren't’t as fortunate to see you fight could you please describe your fighting style?

I'm a slick boxer puncher. I'm not to be a one punch knockout artist but I'm known as a slick speed demon that will get you out of there with a variety of shots

I know that you are blessed with an incredible punch selection but what do you consider your best punch?

My best punch would have to be my left hook

What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths are my mental and physical toughness, speed and good eyes. My strength's affect me cuz i sometimes admire my work so you can say that's a weakness lol. I awe myself sometimes lol

What would you say is your proudest moment throughout your professional / amateur career? 

My pro debut was picture perfect. I didn't fight a good fighter but who does? It was set up perfect. My billboards were up all over the highway and the city. Everyone came out and I landed the prettiest and perfect left hook that you will ever see and knocked him straight out in 13 seconds. The timing was perfect and it sounded like a gun shot when it landed

Can you tell us about your hometown boxing gym?

My hometown boxing gym (Mt. Aurburn Community Center) has produced quite a few olympians and top contenders like Ricardo Williams jr who was a 2000 silver medallist in the Olympic games, Ron Siler who was a 2004 olympian, Ravea Springs and Rob Dula just to name a few. We had so many national champs in the amateurs. It's a grimy rough gym. You fight to get respect. It's tough. All the gyms in Cincinnati are like that and they're all packed with great fighters. Emanuel Steward said the best fighters come out of my city it's just when they turn pro they always get caught up in the streets. That's why I left

Can you take us through a typical training day on a run up to a big fight?

On a non sparring day I run about 4 miles of straight hills in the mountains, train for about 2 and a half hours after I've eaten and rested for a few hours from the run. Then go to strength training for about an 1 and a half in the evening. On a sparring day I train for about the same time with a lot of sparring and pad work, strength train in the afternoon and run 3 fast miles at night

POUND 4 POUND KING:

I ask many professional’s this question and it usually revolves around two fighters but in your opinion who deserves the crown of being the number one pound 4 pound king?

You have to give Manny that spot. He's been fighting and beating the best and he's earned it. Remember his first world title was at flyweight.

MANNY PACQUIAO V MIGUEL COTTO PREDICTION:

The super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto is just weeks away now with forums and websites already starting their predictions for the big fight. How do you see that fight unfolding?

The first couple rounds are gonna be the most important of the fight. Cotto usually gets hurt early or starts slow. Manny starts fast and he is packing a big punch with both hands right now. If cotto gets caught with one of those hooks or straight left's it's goodnight. If he fights on the inside he can make it a closer fight and maybe pull of the upset. I see a Manny kO all day. I swear his foot speed takes a few rounds to adjust cuz he gets in and out so quick. Cotto may not have the time to adjust

SPARRING

You have trained with many of today’s elite fighters including Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao can you tell us what it was like to go toe to toe with them guys and what did you learn from the experience?

It was a great experience working with all those guys. I learned that I have the talent to be the best. I earned their respect and definitely got their respect. I've been able to do my thing against every one of them and they can vouch for that

Every time I hear Freddy Roach talk about Manny’s sparring partners he always as something special to say about you. Why do you think Freddy calls upon your skills whenever a big fight for Manny comes up?

Freddie knows my talent and he helps me gain notoriety and experience through this, since I don't have as many fights. I will be fighting for a title without 20 fights just wait and see

Freddy is saying that Manny is hitting harder at the high division. Do you believe this to be true?

Manny is hitting right now

And my last question about Manny and Freddy. Is Freddy still holding his $1000 bucks he was offering for knocking down Manny?

Yeah he's still offering the money

PROFESSIONAL CAREER:

Last time out you decisioned Ken Dunham over six rounds can you take us through that fight and what your plans were going in?

I went in the Dunham fight to dominate and get a kO. When he tasted my power in the first round he just wanted to survive. I hurt him a few times but he would never open up. only try to counter with one punch here and there

I know that it is still early in your professional career but which of your wins have been your most satisfying and which fight was your most difficult?

The most satisfying was my lost believe it or not. I was arrogant and didn't train for that fight at all. It was short notice and all I did for the week was cut 13 pounds. I learned to take everyone serious so I thank you Martin Tucker even though you wouldn't rematch me back then lol. He was a good fighter too. Way better than his record

Up next for you is the tricky fight against Francisco “El Gato” Figueroa.  Have you seen him fight and what do you make of his style?

I'm ready for Frankie. He is a tough experienced fighter. He's crafty and he has the heart of a lion.

What plan do you intend on executing in that fight?

I'm going in that fight being me and as long as I do that I will make it easy. I'm gonna dominate. I don't think about what he does only what I do and that's be the best at what I do. I will show everyone november 4th.

You hail from Cincinnati which was known to breed some great fighters such as Pryor and Charles, Do you look up to these fighters and what would it mean to put your city back on the map?

It means everything to me to put my city back on the map. That's my heart and they're with me every time I step in the ring. I love that place and my people. Its an honor to be from there

The welterweight division is stacked with top quality fighters at the moment such as Floyd Mayweather Jr, Shane Mosely, Antonio Margarito (when he returns), Andre Berto and the list goes on and on. Could you give us your opinion on who is the division’s top dog at the moment and give us your reason?

How can you ever go against Floyd he's great but I have to give it to my man Shane. He defies the odds every time. You can never count him out. He's fought everyone they put in front of him and he's the man at that weight. His work ethic is crazy. I respect him a lot and he actually taught me some things. Thanks Shane lol

I have mentioned Antonio Margarito above, who is due to return in 2010 from his suspension. What did you think of that whole situation?

I'm not gonna speak on Margarito anymore

* Note: Rashad was hurt while in sparring with Margarito, who may have been using loaded gloves at the time.

What at this point in your career other than Figueroa would be a dream matchup for you?

My focus is on Frankie and no one else. I have no vendetta or grudge against anyone. Whoever has the belts when its my time has to put em up. Point blank period

FUTURE:

What are your plans for the rest of 2009 going into 2010?

After this fight we can talk about 2010 but I will fight for a title sooner than later.

On leaving is there anything you would like to say to the readers of TopClassBoxing?

Top Class thank you so much I really appreciate it. And to all my supporters and readers thank you so much. When you see me please speak I'm a cool down to Earth guy. I couldn't do this without you all. Thanks again and tune in November 4th on ESPN. Keep following me on you tube, facebook, myspace and now twitter.

Thanks again for taking some time out with us champ and we hope you have every success for the future