Interview: Gus Curren

By Charles Presnell

05/03/2007

Interview: Gus Curren

Gus Curren, much like several of the fighters he trains, is a trainer on the move.  Among the fighters who Gus is working with to rebound their careers are Sherman Williams and Stevie Johnston.  Additionally Gus trains Grant Cudjoe who recently scored a 2 second knockout and young heavyweight prodigy Michael Marrone.  See what the Gus has to say about his veterans and young heavyweights in this Boxingtalk Exclusive.

BT: First off, congratulations to you on Michael Marrone's victory, what did you think of your young heavyweight's victory?
 
GC: Thank you Charles, it was ugly, but he won and in this business your not always going to look good, now its back to the gym and keep learning.
 
BT: Are there any specifics you are planning on working on with him before his next fight?
 
GC: Working on fighting different styles, runners, brawlers and guys that try to tie you up, but basically keep working on the fundamentals and let him keep growing into his body.
 
BT: What kind of steps are you looking the Duva's to give Marrone in his next few fights?
 
GC: Me, Lou and Dino know what this kid can do, but it has to be done gradually, and it will.
 
BT: Tell us your thoughts on the rumored fight between Sherman Williams and Chris Byrd.
 
GC: From what me and Sherman have heard is he is fighting some guy from Brazil.
 
BT: Chris Byrd is a frustrating fighter to fight, how will you prepare Sherman to be successful in this fight should it take place?
 
GC: Sherman is a take no prisoners, bullets and gun smoke fighter that is moving his head better and letting his punches go more so if its Chris Byrd, Larry Bird or whoever we will prepare properly.
 
BT: You trained Stevie Johnston for his latest comeback fight against Tyrone Harris, how do you feel he did in that fight?

GC: He was untouchable besides the headbutts, he moved his head and fought like the Stevie Johnston that made him a world champion. He’s back!
 
BT: What kind of things are you working on with Johnston for his future fights?
 
GC: Reminding him about what he used to do and what he stopped doing, no matter how good a fighter is; if you are not reminded about what made you the champion, you won’t do it simple as that.  He would do certain things right when I first started with him, but he would do it 15 seconds, then stop, do it again stop, so I would make him do it over and over until he proved to me and himself that he could still do it and it showed on fight night.

BT: What kind of influence does a veteran like Stevie Johnston have in the gym?

GC: Everyone loves and looks up to Stevie and he is a positive influence on all of my fighters.  When he walks through the door he heads over to the stereo and blares Teddy Pendergrass and the Temptations and he transforms from the nice guy to Little But Bad.

BT: Stevie is in the final stages of his career, how do you see him going out?
 
GC: Charles, believe me he is going to win another major world title.  A lot of people think he’s lost it, I’m telling you he has still got it.

BT: You train a heavyweight that some say will be "the surprise of the year" in Grant Cudjoe, what can you tell us about him?

GC: He is so bad hair is afraid to grow on his head.  This guy can fight.  We argue sometimes because we both like to work hard, but sometimes you have to have light days so your body can heal.  But he keeps working out when I tell him he’s done.  He will pout for a while, but he listens.  All of my guys work hard that's the only kind I will train nobody is going to waste my time.
 
BT: Is there anything you would like to say in closing?

 
GC: Thanks again Charles, keep up with these guys on houseofchampions.net including my other fighters Jameson Bostic, Mike Stafford and Corey Johnson.

Boxingtalk would like to thank Gus Curren for the interview.Â