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Sechew Powell
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Former Golden Gloves champion Sechew Powell, 13-0 (9), is primed to set the junior middleweight division on fire. The Brooklyn based fighter has some pretty big shoes to fill fighting out of the B-Town which has produced such greats as Mike Tyson, Floyd Patterson and Riddick Bowe just to name a few. But the slugging southpaw knows that with determination, dedication and discipline comes greatness and that’s just what the lightning fast fighter hopes to accomplish. As a diehard boxing fan himself he knows what it takes to please the crowd and he gives his all in each bout to do so. The twenty-five year old boxer wants the fans to know that he is here to win, he is here to stay and he is here to be champ. And in such a challenging division he hopes to keep the fans in and bring in new ones with his impressive fighting style and ring leadership. The ladder to the championship title won’t be easy to climb but with each rung to the top he gets better and he hones his skill with each win. The undefeated prospect puts his thirteen fight-winning streak on the line against knock out artist George Armenta, 12-3 (10), on September 30th in his back yard of New York. And the young fighter aims to fire and shoots to kill, so this should be a barn-burning all-out brawling event for the New York fans. Powell stopped by the Doghouse to talk about his upcoming bout and what the future holds for him and his division.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Your pro debut was on the David Tua versus Michael Moorer under card on HBO Boxing After Dark. How did it feel for your first shot at being a professional to be on such a huge network and in front of all the TV viewers?
Sechew Powell: Oh man, it was truly a blessing, just to be with such a big outfit like DiBella Entertainment is a blessing, although I feel like my skills are very worthy of the blessing.
BH: You had to have had butterflies not only coming in to your first pro bout but also being on HBO. Did you have the butterflies and if yes, how did you over come them? And what was your feeling when you were walking into the ring?
SP: Well to be honest with you, to be totally honest with you there wasn’t very much butterflies, it was just more anticipation and excitement for the opportunity. I had a lot of amateur fights so I had a chance to go around the world with amateur boxing. Ever since ten years old I had the dream to be a professional champion so it was kind of like making good on the opportunity. I dreamed it so I was pretty much ready for it so it wasn’t like a shock to me, I didn’t have to pinch myself or anything like that. I felt that I was in the place where I belonged so it wasn’t very many nerves going on there, it was more just doing what you know how to do attitude going on.
BH: How does it feel to work with such a force as Lou DiBella?
SP: Oh it feels really good, like I said I feel real happy and fortunate to be a part of such a big outfit like DiBella Entertainment. I am pretty sure that they are happy to have me they are looking for good talent like most of the promoters in this business. And I think they are satisfied to an extent with my progress.
BH: Lou has produced such champions as Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe. Those guys will go down in history and are big names to fill in the business. Does that intimidate you as a young fighter?
SP: No, I try to even think about it at all. I just work at my own pace and am as sharp as I can. I don’t put much pressure on myself because pressure busts pipes and I’m not trying to bust my own pipes so I just go with the flow and be real mellow with everything that I do. I feel if I take that kind of approach I will be more successful, as apposed to worrying about all the other great champions from Brooklyn.
BH: How exciting is it for you to be fighting again in your back yard?
SP: Oh it is very exciting. I am very glad to have the chance to box here in the city again. Your following starts in your hometown and there are a lot of people who like to watch me box here in New York, so I defiantly think they are going to be excited to see me on the 30th.
BH: Your next opponent George Armenta has an 83% KO rate and by far this seems to be one of your toughest challenges. What is your fight plan and does his power concern you?
SP: Um, yea it concerns me as anything about any opponent would concern me, I am going into battle with an opponent so I am just concerned over all with him coming into the ring and trying to win. There is no one particular thing that I am concerned about with George, he does seem to be a big puncher so I am just going to do what comes natural to me and box him from my southpaw stance using my jab, good combinations and good movement and ring generalship and if I can be successful doing that I think I will win the fight.
BH: How were your boxing heroes growing up?
SP: I would have to say Marvin Hagler, Pernell Whitaker and 'Iron' Mike Tyson. Each of those guys had an aura about them as well as talent and I think that counts for a lot.
BH: Your last bout against Grady Brewer you were down in the 5th round and you got up to get the split decision. How did it feel to hit the canvas and then get up to get the victory after coming off the canvas?
SP: Well it felt pretty good you know. I mean it was a learning experience for me and fortunately for me it didn’t have to be a negative experience for me to learn from. It was positive in the aspect that I was still able to get up and get the win. I’m very pleased with the judging in that fight. I watched the fight tape numerous times and I tried to retract that I was watching myself and watch it with an unbiased eye and I felt as the judges did a perfect job. It was a learning experience for me, I picked myself up off the canvas and I am a better fighter that I am now.
BH: How would you describe your boxing style and skill in the ring using no more than three words?
SP: 'Aim to fire' for my style. 'Shoot to kill' for my skills.
BH: What can the boxing world expect from you within the next two years?
SP: With in two years I would have hoped to have had a shot at the title or have won the title and would be defending it in two years.
BH: If somebody were to ask you “Why should I watch you fight?” what would be your answer to them?
SP: I would tell them that I am very skilled in the science of boxing and we know that the science of boxing is the ring generalship and not just the rock ’em sock ’em attitude, but also the technical aspect as far as setting a guy up, being coy, being smart. Using all your tools, I think I have all of those things and those are the things true fight fans like to see. I also feel that if you gave me one chance you would be a fan from here on out.
BH: What do you do when you aren’t boxing?
SP: Well I am a true fan of the sport and I love watching other fighters, certain fighters more than others but I am a big fan of the sport. I don’t watch it all the time, just to learn, but just the shear excitement of the sport. Besides that I like to relax and live at peace with myself.
BH: Is there anything you would like to add to this pr say to the fans?
SP: To the fans I would like to say don’t give up on the 'Iron Horse'. Come check me out and support me because I am truly a fight fan myself and I fight for the people who love to watch boxing. So September 30th come on down if you are in the New York area because it will be a spectacular show I am gong to put on a great show and one of my best shows to date.
I want to thank John Cirillo for his help on this interview – your time is very appreciated. I would also like to thank Sechew Powell for his time and thoughts on the sweet science. I had a great time and hope to chat more in the future.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
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Interview by Benny Henderson Jr. (September 29, 2004) 
