Forbes speaks on controversial loss to Hopkins

By G. Leon

22/03/2007

Forbes speaks on controversial loss to Hopkins

GL: After a performance like yours I usually start off my interviews by saying congratulations, but that's not the case unfortunately. Can you give us some thoughts on the fight, how it went down and the judges decision? "Oh man, I'll take the congratulations even though we had three blind men judging the fight. You know I'm still in a little shock, I don't know what else you're supposed to do to win a fight. I made sure I was aggressive, I wanted to back him up and apply the pressure. I landed the cleaner shots I had more punches landed and I did everything I had to do to win. It's a shame that you got judging like that. I definitely felt I controlled the fight. I give him a lot of credit because he could have easily stopped trying and he didn't. I was just doing more. It's always tough to get robbed, it's worst feeling in the world, but I don't really feel bad because I know that I won, I only feel bad about the scoring and not getting the decision."

GL: Are you looking for a rematch with this guy by any means necessary?

Steve Forbes: "I would love to man, but I just don't think it's going to happen. I don't think he wants it and I'm sure Golden Boy doesn't want it. I definitely wouldn't want it under those kind of settings again. It would have to be co-promoted with some neutral judges and everything. It's real sad man because I fought the fight I was supposed to fight. I trained hard, got myself in great shape and to be done like that was out of line."

GL: Are you concerned that even though everybody who saw the fight knows you should have won, but since he got the W and he's with Golden Boy he's going to be the one to move on. Are you concerned that if you don't take rematch on their terms you might never get one?

SF: "I've got some word that HBO likes the way I fought and they definitely want to have me back. I know that's talk, but to just hear that it sounds good. I think one thing that people saw was that I made the fight. If I didn't force the fight it was going to be a boring fight. He wasn't going to be aggressive so I made the fight exciting. He tried to move but I cut him off and chopped him down. As far as excitement I think people would rather see me than him."

GL: Did the two of you exchange any words after the fight?

SF: "He said we'd do it again, but that's always just something to say. It was respect. I respect him as a fighter and I knew he was a good fighter coming in. I was there to make it an exciting fight. Everything after the fight was real, real cool. I actually like the kid and I think he's going to do well. I think he's an excellent fighter, on that night I just happened to be better that night. He's a big guy and I see him moving up in weight also."

GL: As bright as you think his future is going to be, do you consider him someone boxing fans will look at as the jury being out on until he fights you again?

SF: "I think so. I think he has to fight me again or he has to come back with a very, very good win. People are going to demand to see it again because everyone knows what happened. That's why I'm glad we've got TV and reporters like yourself and the fans who saw what happened."

GL: Have you been in touch with the contender people to see what alternative options they have in mind for you?

SF: "Yeah, I been talking with them and they are really pissed off. I talked to Wald and Sugar Ray Leonard and they're up to something. I don't know exactly what they're doing yet, but I know they're contacting the IBF to see what we can do. They were extremely upset with the situation, but very happy with my performance."

GL: Arturo Gatti is looking for an opponent for his July HBO date. Is that a fight that interests you?

SF: "His name actually popped up and I heard his name from the Contender today. I guess my name was mentioned I would love to fight a guy like that."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

SF: "I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I said it was going to be a dog fight and I kept my word on that, the judges just didn't do the right thing."

M

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