Boxingtalk's Fire With Hino Ehikhamenor

By Jose "OnFire" Aguirre

10/01/2005

Boxingtalk's Fire With Hino Ehikhamenor

Undefeated cruiserweight Hino Ehikhamenor (9-0, 6 KO's) will step into the ring on January 21st at the Mohegan Sun & Casino in Uncasville, CT on the undercard of Smith-Estrada. Though he knows little of the man he will be facing, you can bet that Hino will be doing all that he knows in order not to find out anything about him. We caught up with Ehikhamenor who shared his thoughts on his upcoming fight, his opponent and what his plans are for the new year. Don't miss what he had to say.

Jose Aguirre: You have a fight on January 21st at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville Connecticut. How's training coming along for that fight?

Hino Ehikhamenor: "It's going great now. I just got back. I was sick for the whole week. Just came back and everything is going well."

JA: Any idea on who you'll be facing on that date?

HE: "They have a southpaw kid who I believe is 11 and 4. I have no idea  who he is."

JA: So how do you prepare for an opponent when you don't know what kind of style you'll  be facing?

HE: "I do that every fight. That's a good question. I do that every fight. I know it's not right but I go in there with thoughts of being blinded. I didn't hear anything about this guy, I never seen a tape, nothing. I'm just going in there like blinded. I've been doing that ever since."

JA: What can people expect from you on January 21st once you step into the ring?

HE: "Defenitely an exciting, exciting fight. I give them their monies worth. They'll defenitely is see an improvment from the last fight or whatever they saw me do last."

JA: What are your plans for the year 2005 and how do you plan to put the name Ehikhamenor with the big names?

HE: "My biggest plan for 2005 to stay undefeated. I want to be talking to you guys by this time next year and still be undefeated. One thing I will do is fight every month this year too like I did last year. I already have a schedule until about March right now."

JA: On that schedule from opponent to opponent would you agree that each fight is a step up?

HE: "All the time. When they pick the fighters they pick the different styles of fighting. I want to learn how to fight those fighters. That's why when I spar I do so with fighters with different styles. I'm still not one hundred percent comfortable in the ring yet. When I do people are going to know how good I really am."

JA: In boxing it is known that fighting a southpaw could be harder than facing a right handed fighter. What are your thoughts on southpaws?

HE: "Basically a southpaw sees you more than you see him. You have to know how to fight a southpaw. Defenitely have to know how to fight  southpaw as far as stepping outside of his right foot. Every time he jabs you have to come back with a right hand, left hook. You have to know how to fight a southpaw."

JA: And is that something you know how to do?

HE:"Yeah, defenitely. One hundred percent. I defenitely know how to fight a southpaw."

JA: What is your prediction if any for your fight on the 21st?

HE: "I never go for a knockout. Never. But if it comes it just makes the night an early one. I believe I'm going to six rounds in this fight. It's going to be good. My predictions are always if I don't knock him out I'm going to win be unanimous decision because I never want to be in doubt before they announce the winner. Did I win, did I not win? It's going to be a good, clean battle and the people are going to be sitting on the edge of their seats. It's going to be a good one."

JA: Is there anything you want to say to the boxing fans and people around he world?

HE: "I just want to say that this is going to be a really, really good year for me.  I'm looking to bring back the excitement at least to the cruiserwieght division. I'm one of those guys that's looking to bring back the pull that boxing used to have. I'm willing to take on that challenge. Defenitely not a problem. I know everyone is watching and I don't even have to let them know to watch. When you're doing good and you're progressing, people are going to pay attention to that. I'm defenitely going to do it this year. Same thing as last year. To stay undefeated and I don't care how hard I have to work. I want all of them to know I'm going to work as hard as I can and 2005 is going to be a great year."

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