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Photo © Brendon Pierpaoli
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One theme I have noticed going around with a lot of people these days is the eagerness for the upcoming new year. 2005 has had its share of ups and downs for many and some of us are just ready to get the new year going in positive fashion. One man who seems to feel the same way is Lightweight contender Nate ‘The Galaxxy Warrior’ Campbell, who fights this coming January 27th against Francisco Javier Olvera in Atlantic City at the Tropicana.
The past year has been a learning process for the Jacksonville native as he suffered two defeats in a three-fight period, leaving many to question if his tank had run empty. Always a fighter, Campbell would persevere and turn things around in grand fashion in October with a 10th round knockout upset over previously undefeated Almazbek 'Kid Diamond/Dr. Evil' Raiymkulov. With the win Campbell silenced a lot of critics while also showing that his skills, power, and heart were all still intact. Nate knows that everything will play off of his fight on the 27th, and he promises to be ready for anything and everything when the bell rings.
I was able to catch up with Nate to get his thoughts on fighting in the same town as his buddy Arturo Gatti on the same weekend, what the past year has been like for him, his style in the ring, and most importantly what the future holds for him.
Fighting at the Tropicana on January 27th…
‘I’m just preparing for this fight like I would do for any other fight. I’m really working hard and making sure that all my I’s are dotted and all my T’s are crossed. I really want to be in great shape for this fight and have a great showing.
Hurricane Boxing…
‘Right now I’m in training camp. I’m training at Hurricane Boxing in Tampa, Florida. Camp is going great. I’m looking good, I’m feeling good, and my only concern is that I don’t over train because I’m already in pretty decent shape.
Always game…
‘I’m always ready for a bruising type of fight. When have you known me not to be ready for a physical, bruising type of fight? I’m always game for a fight, if that’s what you want.
Atlantic City…
‘I love Atlantic City. It’s cold this time of year but I still love it. Ever since the first time I went there I thought it was a great town. It’s a fight town and people love boxing out there.
Knowing Arturo Gatti…
‘I first met Arturo when I was training under Buddy McGirt at the House of Champions gym with a bunch of other fighters. Arturo came into the gym and he had some words with Angel Manfredy. When you meet Arturo you realize that he’s an awesome person, but he has a way of covering up his temper. He’s a great guy, it’s just that he’s not the type of guy you want to cross. He trains very hard and he really puts his work in. If somebody fights the way he fights, then they have to train hard.
Brains over Brawn…
‘I’m able to adapt while a lot of guys aren’t able to. When I make an adaptation I stick to my plan. In my last fight, against Raiymkulov, people got to see me use my head. They got to really see me think in there and I think a lot of people liked that. They got to see me use my brain and not my brawn so much. This next fight will be nothing more than me realizing I have to use my brain and not my brawn. This guy is no different than all the other guys I have fought; he’s a fighter. He’s going to come to win but it’s easier to say what you will do when you’re not getting hit.
Kicking off the new year…
‘I want to start the year off with a bang. If all the other guys on the card aren’t conscious of what’s going on than I’ll steal the show. I’m coming to steal the show. I’m coming to make everybody remember me. When people are talking about this card and talking about boxing and excitement, I want them talking about me.
Being thankful…
‘A lot of people think that 2005 was a bad year for me but it wasn’t. It wasn’t a bad year it’s just that I learned to be thankful for what I have. Through everything that I’ve went through I’ve learned to appreciate the people that stuck with me. I can never forget them or overlook what they’ve done for me. It’s hard for people to fathom what I’ve gone through but 2005 actually wasn’t as bad as 2004 and it wasn’t as nearly as bad as 2003. It’s gotten better and the latter part of 2005 made up for all those years. As far as I’m concerned I’m proved my worth.
Can’t get enough…
‘I’m a confrontational guy. I would probably start a fight in an empty room if I could. I just love fighting. A lot of guys say they love fighting and they love what they do, but I love boxing. I can’t get enough of it.
The wrong night…
‘On January 27th everyone can expect explosiveness. When the bell rings and that guy comes at me he just might realize he picked the right guy on the wrong night.
To the fans…
‘I just want to thank all the fans for supporting me all this time. I just hope they stick with me and watch me win the title."
*This Article is Sponsored by http://www.healthycoco.com/ |
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005
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INTERVIEW By Chris Robinson (December 22, 2005)
