CMT Management Update

By Justin Hackman

20/08/2019

CMT Management Update

Justin Hackman: Mike, two of your fighters have some very interesting fights coming up.  Tell me first about Vaughn Alexander. Mike Cameron: Vaughn is fighting on Aug 31st against Money Powell, which I view as a big step up for Powell, even though he’s a highly-touted prospect.  Vaughn has switched trainers—he’s now with Doveed Linder.  They have gone back to the basics together, which Vaughn got away from after continuing his career post-prison.  Recently, his style has been to walk opponents down, use his strength.  And at a higher weight, that doesn’t work as effectively.  Vaughn doesn’t get any extra points for being a naturally smaller guy being able to hang with larger guys he shares the ring with.  So he’s now boxing and moving, incorporating the slickness he had coming up as a young fighter.  His conditioning is amazing.  He is looking great, and is supremely confident right now.
 
JH: What will Vaughn’s approach be against the inexperienced fighter?
 
MC: Powell’s best opponent record wise was Christian Aguirre who was 8-4 at the time of their fight, having lost 4 of his previous 5 fights before facing Powell.  He’s never fought anyone like Vaughn before, not even close.  Vaughn’s going to be pulling out all the veteran moves against the inexperienced Powell, and frustrate him for as long as the fight lasts.
 
JH: How do you see this fight playing out?
 
MC: I think Vaughn’s gonna stop him.  They’re putting him in with Vaughn too fast.  And listen, I know Powell can fight.  But Vaughn can take a punch, and has taken punches from much bigger guys than Powell.  I can’t see this kid beating Vaughn right now.  Experience goes a long way.  While Powell has a lot of amateur fights, that’s not gonna be enough to beat Vaughn.
 
JH: Tell our readers about Reshard Hicks, and the fight that he has on the horizon.
 
MC: Reshard Hicks is a single father of two boys, he’s 12-0-1.  He’s an ex-marine and was discharged due to stomach cancer.  It was at that point that he decided to start boxing to gain his wind and strength back.  But he took to it like a natural.  Fast forward, and he now has gone from club shows in Killeen, Texas to fighting on DAZN at MSG on September 13th against Daniyar Yeleussinov (7-0, 3 KOs).  Greg Cohen, Hicks’ promoter can see him becoming a sensation over night should he emerge victorious against Yeleussinov: “Reshard Hicks is a supreme fighter with big balls.  He jumped on the opportunity to fight the undefeated gold medalist.  He knows that a win makes him a player in the welterweight division over night.  As a promoter, I love it.”
 
JH: This is a major opportunity for Reshard that you guys clearly had to jump on. 
 
MC: Without question, yes.  This is a big step up for Reshard, but we already know he can beat .500 type fighters.  At 34 years old, we’re not passing on this opportunity.  This is it.  We jumped on this opportunity.  If one of my younger fighters with less experience was given this shot against a more seasoned and tough opponent, maybe we pass at that point; I do what’s best for my fighter.  At this stage of Reshard’s life and career, jumping all over this opportunity is what’s best for him. 
 
JH: Closing thoughts, Mike?
 
MC: We got two tough and extremely pivotal fights coming up for Vaughn Alexander and Reshard Hicks, and I believe both my guys are going to pull off the upset.  Winning these fights will propel them further toward where they want to be in their careers.

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