Anthony Bonsante: “Don’t underestimate age, wisdom or experience”


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Anthony Bonsante: “Don’t underestimate age, wisdom or experience”

Interview by Benny Henderson Jr., Doghouse Boxing (July 29, 2008) DoghouseBoxing.com

This Friday night on EPSN 2’s Friday Night Fights from Montreal, Canada, season one contestant of the boxing reality series ‘The Contender’ Anthony Bonsante, 31-9-3 (18), returns to the ring as he takes on undefeated Adonis Stevenson, 11-0 (8), for the WBC Continental Americas super middleweight strap.

Bonsante, who is best known for his stint on the boxing reality show, has faced the likes of John Duddy, Allan Green, Matt Vanda and Prince Badi Ajamu in his time as a pro. ‘The Bullet’ has a tough task in front of him come Friday night, but believes that his twelve years in the bang for your buck business will be enough to garner him win over Stevenson, who has not yet had a full two years in the pros.

In this exclusive interview conducted by Doghouse Boxing, Bonsante speaks out on his career and touches on his upcoming fight, enjoy.

Benny Henderson: How has life been treating you my brother?

Anthony Bonsante: Life has been treating me good, we had a fight in June, now we have on August 1st then again on September 20th. We have been doing good.

BH: I was reading that you were slated to face Carl Daniels this past June, instead you fought Ted Muller, what happened with the Daniels fight?

AB: Yeah, he was supposed to fight me but he got cut in New York, then we had to find a replacement and that was Teddy the warrior. It went five rounds, Ted comes to fight, he is always in shape. He is a vet like myself but I got the better end of that deal. Now I am going to fight this tough kid August 1st on EPSN 2.

BH: You will be in Canada to face off against the hometown fighter Adonis Stevenson, give the readers your thoughts on your upcoming bout.

AB: Yeah we are going to have to knock him out to get a draw. He is a knockout puncher, and a southpaw, we have never fought a southpaw in my pro career, but I have been getting a lot of great sparring here. We are ready for this one, they are probably hoping that I am past my prime, but we are coming in shape and we are ready for this. Usually it takes me a while to get going but if I can with stand the pressure right away and get him into deep water I think we are going to be alright.

BH: Have you seen tape on Stevenson, if so, what can you tell us about him as far as his strengths and weaknesses go as well as his style?

AB: Honestly Benny, I do not watch the tapes. I have two trainers who watch them, I have my own mindset, they tell me what plan to execute and how to execute it and I go out there and perform.

BH: Looking over his record he has knocked out eight of his eleven opponents, six wins came in the first round. But his opposition has lacked in the credibility department. So do you feel that your experience will be a major factor in this bout?

AB: Oh yeah, I have forty-two professional fights, once I get in there and I am able to establish myself, gain some respect I think my experience is going to be a factor that he has not seen yet. I am not going to fade, I am going to be there at the end and you can bet your butt that I am going to give it my best shot. I am ready for this one, the last time I was on ESPN I did not make a good showing, I fought Allan Green, and Green is a lot better opponent than this guy. Allan Green is a phenomenal fighter. I am ready for this Stevenson kid.

BH: They call you for this fight?

AB: Obviously we were picked for this fight by their guys, they think they can beat us and that is great, I love going into his hometown being the underdog, we are going to prove them wrong and this is going to be a great opportunity for me because it is going to be on national TV. We are going to come home with another belt.

BH: You have been fighting for twelve years, and will be thirty-eight in a few months, how much longer do you plan on boxing, and what are your plans after you hang up the gloves?

AB: You know what Benny, everybody asks me that question, we evaluate every fight afterwards, to see how many punches I took, to see if my reflexes are going, my speed and such. It is one fight at a time and as long as I am not getting punished badly by these guys and compete with them and still be a dad and a husband, I see there is no reason to retire unless something happens.

BH: If you could send out a message to your upcoming opponent, using Doghouse Boxing as a platform, what would you tell the guy?

AB: Don’t underestimate age, wisdom and experience.

BH: Anything in closing?

AB: Of course I would like to thank Doghouse Boxing for giving me the opportunity to get some ink, and the fans supports that they have giving me over the years. Of course Benny, I got your email so I can always chat to with you whether it be boxing or anything as far as personal stuff goes.

I would like to thank Anthony Bonsante for his time and thoughts.