If you can’t remember the name Cleotis Pendarvis, try to remember “Mookie”. It might be a little easier. This light welterweight is right on the verge of breaking through to the big leagues.

He started boxing in Washington Park on the east side of Los Angeles. “In my area I grew up having to fight all the time – I had to fight every day. I saw a lot of kids went into the boxing gym. I used to go in there and just mess with the coaches,” he laughed. “But one day I went in and told them that the only way I was leaving that day was if they let me fight.”

At that time the best one in the gym was a boy named Mikey, so they put Mookie in there with him, and he did a good job. So much so that they thought he had fought before. Well, he had, but on the streets, not in a controlled environment like the gym.

His first fight was against someone who had fought 10 times, and Pendarvis, in his words, whipped his butt. He has never looked back from there.

This Friday night he will step into the ring for the 21st time against journeyman Michael Clark, who in contrast will be making his 52nd walk to the ring. Mookie’s USBA light welterweight belt will also be on the line.

“I’m wrapping up camp now, and I’m right around weight at 144, and I’ll be taking it to Michael Clark. I know he’s gonna come with his A game, but I’ve been working very, very hard and it’s my time. You know, he’s 39 years old, he has a pretty good record – a winning record – and he’s fought a lot of gutsy guys in the game and he’s beat a lot of good prospects, but you know, it’s my time.

“I’m not going to let him come to my home and come out here to take my belt. I’m gonna prove that it’s my time. After that I’m going to go after anybody they put in front of me at 140.”

A lot of fighters have turned down fights with Pendarvis, but that just motivates him more. “I know that they’re gonna have to fight me anyway. It’s part of the boxing game. I went through 13 guys in the USBA to try to fight, and Michael Clark finally decided to step up to the plate. He’s been trying to fight me from earlier on this year, so I’m gonna give him what he looking for.”

Mookie had not taken the fight with Clark earlier because there were other fighters for him that were more work, Robert Frankel being one of them. “Frankel had the USNBC belt and we were also fighting for the vacant USBA light welterweight title. I wanted to fight for two belts in one night.”

For the record, Pendarvis won that fight.

One particular fighter that Cleotis is gunning for is Mauricio Herrera. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting back in the ring with him,” he said. “I want to avenge my loss. The thing is, I fought him over there at Thompson’s, in his home town. Of course, you fight a guy that’s another prospect coming up in his home town, all they have to do is make it through eight rounds, and he did so. He got the majority decision, but at the same time I know I was better than him, and I am better than him as a fighter, period.

“He caught me at a time of adversity for me, burying my little brother. It’s no bluff, it really did happen at the time I got ready to fight Mauricio Herrera. It was a very difficult time in my life when I had that fight come in. Actually, I wanted to pull out of the fight, but I’d already signed a contract, and guys may threaten to take it to the Commission. Now it’s an open door. I know I’ll beat him. I really believe that I’ll knock Herrera out. Nobody has stopped him before, but there’s no doubt in my mind I can do it.”

Pendarvis does have a dream fight – to fight Timothy Bradley. “That would be my dream fight on the west coast. Also I’d like to fight Brandon Rios, to prove myself and show that I am someone to be reckoned with, and they know that. There’s a mutual respect for both of those guys; they’re from Cali, we’re all fighters, it’s the west coast, but there’s only one king, and I have to prove that I am that guy.

“I’ve also got a new team; I’ve had them going on two years now. Since then, I’ve won four belts, the WBF United States welterweight and Intercontinental welterweight titles, the WBC Unites States (USNBC) light welterweight title, and the USBA light welterweight title. I’m also on a five-fight win streak.

When Mookie is not training he likes to write songs and poetry. He also enjoys reading, especially about politics, and tries to keep up on the things that are going on around the world.

“I was once told by my granddad that it’s OK to read the Bible, but also know about what’s going on in the world that you’re living in. So I read a lot about what’s going on around me.

“What I want people to know about Cleotis Pendarvis is I’m not perfect. Don’t look for me to be perfect, but look for me to get in that ring and entertain and do the best that I can. And follow me! It is not a Prima Donna story with me, it is reality. I come from a struggle and I fight for everybody, rich, poor, middle class – because everybody has a struggle within.

“I’ve been through a whole lot in my 26 years, lost my little brother at a young age, had two babies at a young age, having been in the system, my life has definitely been rocky, but the thing is what didn’t break me made me a king. I am a very strong 26-year-old.

“I want people to know that you don’t have to get revenge,” he continued. “like hurting somebody or stealing from somebody. All you have to do is believe in yourself and stay away from anybody who might try to deteriorate your career or your life.”

Cleotis is focused and knows what he wants. Right now he wants to beat Michael Clark on Friday night. After that, well, line up the fighters for him. He’s ready!


Be safe and God Bless,
Viva La Raza,
Barb.