JA: How’s Training camp been for your fight next Friday night? "Training camp has been great. I been in training camp for six weeks and I was suppose to fight against Gary Wilcox, that was the original opponent and I guess he pulled out of the fight, we got the a replacement fighter in Jermell Barnes."

JA: What do you know about him?

VM: Not a lot. Even though he has a lot of losses he has fought a lot of sturdy guys. I watched two fights that he had, he doesn’t move a lot and I don’t move a lot so that will make for a very exciting fight. I am going to feel him out in the first couple of rounds and if he wants to box we will box and if he wants to fight I will be more than happy to fight.

JA: If you beat Jermell Barnes, where do you want that to take you?

VM: It’s a big fight because it can be stepping stone for me. My promoter Joe Deguardia says that he has a lot of things in the works and with a great performance that only makes his job a lot easier to promote me to the major networks. If I keep doing what I been doing and keep on winning, they can’t deny me forever.

JA: What did you learn from your loss to Brian Minto on October 1st of 2005?

VM: Everyone asked me what happened in that fight and I been telling them I had a bad day, I felt flat and it was his day. Four weeks before that I fought Shannon Miller on ESPN and that was a tough fight and maybe it was too soon to get back in the ring and fight Brian. It was a learning experience and I have put that behind me and I am looking towards the future.

JA: Do you feel that you are there as a professional or that you are still growing as a professional?

VM: Oh without question I am still growing. Every time you step in the ring you grow and you learn something new. I didn’t have a big amateur career, I am 32 years old but I am a young 32. Every time that I step in the ring I learn something new that will help me get to the next level.

JA: How do you feel about fighting on the MSG network?

VM: It’s great. To fight on the MSG network in the New York area is truly an honor. Knowing that a lot of people that normally don’t watch the sport of boxing will tune in to watch the fights on the MSG network motivates me more to put on the very best show I can for the fans.

JA: What is your prediction for the fight on Friday night?

VM: I predict a victory.

JA: Will the fight see the final bell?

VM: If the knockout comes it comes. My goal is to win, and if it happens to come by knockout it will make my night even sweeter but if it doesn’t than I will settle for the decision.

JA: Is there anything that you would like to say in closing?

VM: Thank you for taking time out to do this interview. Boxingtalk.com is the best boxing website in the world. You will hear plenty of Vinnie Maddalone in the future.

M

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