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One On One With Mikael Zewski
By Jeff Emond Jeffrey
Pound4Pound.com had the chance to talk with young light
middleweight hope, Mikael Zewski of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec,
Canada. Zewski took the time to discuss his days in the
amateur ranks, his association with Golden Boy Promotions,
his pro career and his Saturday night opponent, tough
veteran Ruben Galvan.
Pound4Pound: How did you start in boxing?
Mikael Zewski: When I was 9 years old. Back then, I was
practicing a lot of team sports like Soccer and Hockey. I
must admit, I was an individualist athlete. In Hockey, I
kept the puck to myself and was doing the same playing
soccer, so I realized I was made for one on one competition.
Besides that, my father was a former fighter himself when he
was younger, so he brought me into a boxing gym near Trois-Rivieres and that was it, I fell in love with that
discipline.
P4P: You have an amazing amateur career with a record of 138
victories and only 29 defeats. Winning a silver medal in the
2004 youth Pan American Championships and a fifth place in
the 2009 Senior Worlds competition in Milan, Italy. During
that tournament you defeated top amateur prospect and 2008
Beijing Olympic silver medalist Carlos Suarez Banteux. How
do you feel about your accomplishments?
MZ: I feel great about it and worked hard! My father is my
trainer since my beginning in boxing. He dedicated all of
his time for my career, we traveled and trained together. He
did everything he could to get me as many fights as possible
in the amateur ranks to get me ready for a good career in
the pro. Being very successful in the amateur ranks got
Golden Boy Promotion curious about me.
P4P: How do you feel being trained by your father?
MZ: For me it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. We
understand each other very well and I know he has the best
interests for my career.
P4P: How id you became part of Golden Boy Promotions?
MZ: I signed my first professional contract with TKO
promotions from the United States. I fought 4 or 5 times for
them. After some financial difficulties on their part, my
manager put an end to my contract because he was afraid I
might not get paid in the future. At this time, Golden Boy
took interest in my career. They know boxing is blooming in
Quebec, so they seized the opportunity and I’m very happy
about it.
P4P: You fought 7 times in the United States , but only 2
times here in Quebec. Do you feel any kind of pressure
fighting in Montreal for the first time?
MZ: It’s a wonderful feeling to fight in front of my
hometown crowd, especially in such a big event by HBO. Many
people know me here, my friends and my family, so I know
they are expecting a good showing on my part and they won’t
be disappointed. But the other hand, I felt pressure when I
was fighting in the states too. Nobody knew me, so I had to
fight hard to build myself a good reputation. You get a
little bit nervous fighting in front of Oscar De La Hoya,
Bernard Hopkins, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and many
others.
P4P: How do you describe the feeling fighting in the MGM
Grand in Las Vegas?
MZ: It’s the temple of boxing for me. Many legendary fights
took place there. When I was little, I used to watch Oscar
De La Hoya fight in the MGM. So I told myself, if I work
hard enough one day it will be my turn. The funny thing is
now De La Hoya is my boss, what a great feeling.
P4P: Your next fight will be against Ruben Galvan, a very
tough veteran who already did battle with Zab Judah, Julio
Cesar Chavez Jr and Paul Spadafora. What can you tell us
about him ?
MZ: I will not underestimate him, that’s for sure. Plus, it
will be my first 8 round bout. He possesses much more
experience and rounds than me. He represents a very good
test for me. He also is a very patient fighter, he starts
slow but finishes very hard and fast in the later rounds. I
am prepared for him, I feel very good and confidant and I
have all the tools the secure a victory over Galvan or
anyone else.
P4P: What is your greatest quality as a fighter?
MZ: I am very fast and explosive. I also give it all for the
fans. I want them to know I’m an entertaining boxer.
P4P: Thank you for your time Mikael.
MZ: Thank you. It’s gonna be a very big event this Saturday
for every boxing fan, I’m sure no one will regret it.
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