On Feb 4th, Syd Vanderpool will step into the ring with Robert Allen, a three time title challenger moving up from middleweight. Vanderpool is no stranger to the middleweight division. He's been there, done that. He even faced the middleweight king  Bernard Hopkins. But so has Robert Allen, three times. Ask Syd and he will tell you that it all won't matter come Feb 4th. Syd Vanderpool is coming off a tough fight with Jeff Lacy and feels Lacy didn't best him, never imposed his will and never took his will to win. Now he's ready to do it again, supremely confident that his third attempt to win a world championship will be the charm. Boxingtalk caught up with Vanderpool and he shared his thoughts on a few subjects including but not limited to the tops fighters in the division and his plan for the new year.


Jose Aguirre: How's training going for your fight on Feb 4th?

Syd Vanderpool:"It's going great. I'm going to the Catskills and looking forward to getting some good sparring."

JA: You'll be facing Robert Allen on that date. What do you know about Robert Allen, a fighter moving up from middleweight?

SV:"I haven't seen him fight for quite a while. I know he's a southpaw. A very determined fighter. Counter puncher. Pretty good hand speed. He's a very good opponent. I'm looking forward to testing my skills against his."

JA: How anxious are you to get back into the ring since your last fight?

SV:"Very! Very. I really want to show the people, the fans of boxing and the writers, everybody. Just want to show them that Syd Vanderpool is still here and still going to be world champion."

JA: Give us your thoughts on your fight with Jeff Lacy?

SV:"I watched the fight over and again, Jeff Lacy, I think he performed the best he could on that night and he came out with the win. I still don't feel like he beat me. He never took my will. He never imposed his will on me. I was always game, ready to fight. The referee stopped the fight but it's a fight I'd defenitely do again."

JA: What are your thoughts on the top fighters of the division?

SV:"The division is wide open right now. There is no real defining champion. (Joe) Calzaghe, he been there the longest but he's not willing to fight any of the top champions. You can't really give him the nod at the top of super middlweight because he doesn't want to fight anybody. Right now it's wide open for somebody to step up and be a star and I'm looking to get my chance to do that."

JA: What can we expect from you in the Robert Allen fight as well as in the future?

SV:"A little bit of everything. Little bit of boxing, little bit of punching. A little bit of moving, slugging. Bringing the whole repertoire. That's probably my strength as a fighter is that I can do alot of different things, not just one  thing."

JA: What are your plans for 2005?

SV:"I'm taking it one fight at a time. Looking forward to my fight on Feb 4th. Then after that let Warriors Promotions do their job and move me as quick as possible into position to challenge for a world title."

JA: Is there anything you want to say in closing?

SV:"Look forward to seeing the Jewel shine on Feb 4th."

 

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