Garrett "Ultimate Warrior" Wilson Prepares for Alekseev Feb 22nd
By Ken Hissner, Doghouse Boxing (Feb 13, 2013) Doghouse Boxing
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The gym at the Marion Anderson Recreation
Center in South Philadelphia is hotter than you know what. It’s like the
days when Manny Steward had the heat up at the Kronk Gym in Detroit. As
this writer enters the gym there is Philadelphia’s Garrett "The
Ultimate Warrior" Wilson, 13-5-1 (7), all smiles. As I approach him he walks by
me and gives a hug to Doreen Donnelly who was joining me for the
interview. She is one of boxing’s biggest female fans! I couldn’t blame
him as I got the handshake and the shoulder bump.
John DiSanto of www.phillyboxinghistory.com was already there with camera in hand. Also, the only writer I know
that is always in training, George Hanson, editor of The Mouthpiece.
Preparing Wilson for sparring for his upcoming fight Feb 22nd in Galati, Romania, is southpaw Kamarah Pasley, another Philadelphia
cruiserweight who last fought in 2011. I show both an old picture of
myself between the two of them. They said I looked like one of those
“cardboard cut-outs” between them. I thought it looked more like an Oreo
cookie commercial. Remind me not to wear a white shirt when getting a
picture taken. I reminded all present that “everyone wants their picture
with me because I make them look good”.
“This
is an elimination bout for the vacant No. 1 spot in the IBF
cruiserweight rankings. The winner between me and Alexander Alekseev,
23-2-1 (20), then gets a shot at Cuban Yoan Hernandez who fought Steve
(Cunningham) twice,” said Wilson. Alekseev is a southpaw born in
Uzbekistan, and lives in Germany. He won his first 16 fights, 15 by
knockout, before losing in a WBO interim Cruiserweight title fight to
Argentina’s Victor Ramirez in Germany. He went onto win 3 in a row
before losing again in a WBO title eliminator to Russia’s Denis Lebedev,
who is now the WBA world champion. Both losses were by stoppage.
“I
know he went the distance with Max Alexander from Camden (NJ) who had
never been stopped in 24 fights,” said Wilson. Alexander is a runner but
Wilson is not. He comes to fight like a lion seeking its prey. At 5:09
Wilson is used to giving up height and will to the 6:02 Alekseev. “I
remember fighting Carlos Negron in New York who was 6:06 and going for
his head instead of his body. It won’t happen this time,” said Wilson. I
know I was there.
Wilson
has never ducked a fight. His promoter J Russell Peltz has not put him
in soft. It’s been a learning experience on the way to winning the USBA
title in a rematch with Omar Shieka, reversing the loss he suffered in
their first encounter. After dropping his next fight he has gone onto
win 5 of his last 6 fights with a disputed draw to Andres Taylor in the
latter’s hometown in a rain delayed ball park. After the Taylor draw he
upset Aaron Williams, then 23-2-1, stopping him in 7 rounds. “We had to
call security to usher us out of the ring because his fans were so upset
with me beating him,” said Wilson. The second Shieka fight would
follow.
In
a classic boxer-puncher match-up Wilson fought Chuckie Mussachio of
nearby Wildwood, NJ. He was behind on the scorecards going into the 12th and final round when he knocked his opponent out. He is dangerous until
the final bell! After knocking out fellow Philly fighter Pedro Martinez
he got his rematch with Taylor but this time in Atlantic City. Taylor
was then 20-1-2 and not only would Wilson’s USBA title be on the line
but the vacant NABF title. He’d been waiting almost 2 years for this
rematch. Again he stopped his opponent in the 12th and final round but ahead on all scorecards. That was his last fight in April of 2012.
Alekseev
is the European champion who in his last fight in May of 2012 fought to
a majority draw with Firat Arslan, in Germany. Only 3 of his 26 fights
have been outside of Germany. “We aren’t the main event since there are 2
other 12 rounder’s on the card,” said Wilson. He was supposed to fight
Poland’s Pawel Kolodziej, now ranked No. 2, who suffered an injury
postponing the fight. “I was well prepared for this fifth which was to
be in Poland. I‘m at 200 now,” said Wilson. He has only fought at 190 or
over on 6 occasions. “Remember when I fought Dennis (Hasson) and I was
only 169?” Wilson since went immediately to 175 in 2009 and was up to
190 before the year was out. I have seen him fight in his second fight
and his last 4 fights that were since the Williams fight in OH. He is
always in the fight. His trainer/manager Rodney Rice has done wonders
for Wilson since joining him.
“I’ll
be leaving this week for Romania after Wednesday’s 11am press
conference here at the gym,” said Wilson. This is one of the most
likeable Philly boxers among the fans. When you see him you think “that
is one bad ass looking guy”. Then comes the smile. I don’t know if he
will be smiling in Romania until his hand his raised in victory but one
thing I do know when the Ultimate Warrior steps into the ring “the hunt
is on”!
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