Greg Leon: How's everything going with Danny Jacobs [pictured] in preparation for his October 27th bout with Sergey Derevyanchenko?Â
Andre Rozier: We're preparing and gearing up and we're going to be ready to rock and roll on October 27th. Suffice it to say you know Sergiy Derevyanchenko quite well.Â
GL: What does Danny need to do on October 27th in order to be successful?Â
AR: As you know I'm in a very awkward position G-man. It's a position I never wanted to be in for a fight I never wanted to happen. It's like my son is boxing my nephew, but they both want it so we're doing what we have to do. Of course I had to side with my son and it's going to be a tough affair. They're two very talented boxers and they have their own strong points, not too many weak points and literally it's who worked the hardest to sharpen up their skills that will be the victor in the bout. My job as Danny's trainer is to make sure he's the best that he can be, but I know that on the other side of the ring we're going to have my brother from another mother Gary Stark, who is making sure Sergiy could be the best fighter he could be. Although Gary and myself don't want this fight to take place, you have two top fighters who have worked with each other fighting for a middleweight championship of the world and all of the fame and fortune that comes with it.Â
GL: The only thing worse than your son fighting your nephew would be your son having to fight your nephew more than once because it's a draw or a close fight that warrants an immediate rematch.
Andre Rozier: (laughs) "Don't even say that G-man, I don't want to think about it because you are absolutely right about that being the worst possible thing that could happen on October 27th."
GL: What would a win in this fight mean to Danny's legacy?
AR: "Well he'd become the middleweight champion of the world which is something he's always wanted. The WBA regular is not that title because GGG was the super champion. This time he would be the middleweight champion of the world and it's a different criteria of status that will make him feel bona fide."
GL: How well do Danny and Sergiy know each other? How many rounds have they sparred together?
AR: "They've sparred many rounds. When Danny was getting ready to fight GGG they sparred throughout that came. They've sparred other rounds here and there, and they've been together for quite some time."
GL: Enough that it should eliminate any getting to know you process on October 27th?
AR: "One would think that, but of course it's a real fight so you're going to come out thinking differenty."
GL: Do you think you'll be working with Derevyanchenko in the future?
AR: "Of course, I have no issues with that. Not one bit, because you have to remember that they wanted this, I didn't."
GL: What did you think about the Canelo-GGG rematch?
AR: "I think Canelo did what Abel Sanchez asked him to. Abel asked him to box Mexican style the whole fight and GGG forgot what being a European Mexican was. I think Canelo pulled off his plan and GGG fell short."
GL: I'm glad to hear you say that because I think Canelo won the fight, but most people don't seem to agree with me.
AR: "He asked for it. He didn't run one step in that rematch and he did an incredible job working the body. You know the phrase, be careful what you ask for? Well Golovkin got it and he got it good. Let's call it what it is."
GL: What else is cooking Dre?
AR: "We have the one and only Chris Algieri returning November 30th and he's coming to regain that 140 pound title. He's a dedicated craftsman when it comes to the sport of boxing. He's a perfect student and I see him winning another world title in his future for sure and I'm going to make sure that happens. Then we have Richard Commey and we're waiting to see what happens with that purse bid situation with Mikey Garcia, but I think he will vacate the title before fighting Richard so I see us fighting for the vacant title before the end of the year. We're doing the pushing and shoving we need to do because this young man is a fantastic trainer and a joy to work with. I have to say that I have some wonderful students an the athletes I'm working with make me want to be in the gym."
GL: Closing thoughts?
AR: "It's Havoc time as always. You've always been down from day one and Uncle Dre loves you for that. We have Curtis fighting at 154 and he should be fighting again before the end of the year. We have Sadam Ali going back to 147 and he's going to be back stronger than ever so it's looking like the next year is going to be a very busy time for us."
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