Jimmy Burchfield, the promoter who has kept boxing alive in New England for the past thirty-plus years, brings boxing back to the State of Connecticut this Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Burchfield's company, CES Boxing, just completed a show at the other major Connecticut casino, Mohegan Sun, last weekend. In this week's main event, Massachusetts middleweight Frank “The Tank” Hogan will take on Khairy Gray in an intra-state battle. However, a few spots down from the headline bout, Springfield, MA welterweight Jalen Renaud, 10-1, will look to notch his second consecutive victory after suffering his only professional setback, a decision loss to Josniel Castro last March. We spoke to Renaud this week, and here is what he had to say:

 

Q: Jalen, you’re fighting Victor Reynoso at Foxwoods Resort Casino this Saturday. You’ve fought at Mohegan Sun  in the past, but this is the other major casino in Connecticut. Is that another check off your boxing bucket list? 

 

A: Yes, it has I’ve seen a few fights there in the past. It’s always been a dream. I wanted to fight at Foxwoods. Thanks to Mr. B for making this happen.

 

Q: You’re facing Victor Reynoso. At 9-0, Reynoso has the best record of anyone you’ve fought, other than your lone loss to Josniel Castro two bouts ago. Have you been preparing any differently for Reynoso? If so, what have you added to your training, or what have you tweaked?

 

A: When I fought Castro, I did a lot of my training myself. This time around, I had a full-time coach that was there for everything, from running to sparring, to strength and conditioning, to what I ate.  So, I’ve changed a lot in this fight.

 

Q: Your record currently stands at 10-1. Was professional fighting always your main priority, or did you put a pause on any other aspirations that you had? Is there any 9 to 5 work that you have an interest in that you might get into the future? Or no real plans besides boxing? 

 

A: Boxing is always the plan. I mean, I have some backup plans, but my number one priority is always boxing. 

 

Q: How much of an amateur background did you have? What was the biggest title you won?

 

A: I had 96 wins and 19 losses as an amateur. I won the Golden Gloves title a few times, made it to the quarterfinals of the Olympics qualifiers and came in third at the National P.AL. Championships. 

 

Q: Tell us about the life of a fighter in a few words. What’s the hardest part of being a professional fighter as opposed to having a normal job?

 

A: Finding time in the day to do everything and get enough rest, and also find time to eat.

 

Q: Who are your favorite fighters? Who do you study video of to try to learn something from?

 

A: I watched a lot of Chad Dawson and Kelly Pavlik, Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Jr., Larry Holmes and Hilmer Kenty.

 

Q: If Reynoso reads this ahead of your bout with him, what message do you have for him? 

 

A: I have no message for him. There is nothing to say. It’s just time to fight respectfully.

 

To purchase tickets for Saturday’s card, log onto CESFIGHTS.com or contact Foxwoods’ Box Office.