Rising featherweight Monty Meza Clay (26-1-1 with 17 KOs) is preparing for the biggest fight of his career. Clay will meet former IBF featherweight champion Erik Aiken on February 1, 2008, to be televised on ESPN2.  Boxingtalk recently sat down with Monty and got his thoughts on how the preparation is going.  Boxingtalk would also like to pass along our condolences to the Clay family on the recent passing of Monty's grandmother.

BT – What's up Monty?

MMC – Not much, thanks for having me.

BT – You are scheduled to fight Erik Aiken on February 1st, talk about that.

MMC – It's my understanding that he's been calling me out for awhile, and I didn't know it.  I am ready to do this.

BT – Do you see anything in Aiken's arsenal that you can expose?

MMC – Well I don't study for my opponents.  I just work on improving my game, and stick to doing what I do best.  I watch a lot of stuff on myself, and we work on what we need to do to improve my game.

BT – This would be the biggest name on your resume, minus Edner Cherry.  Talk about the importance of beating Aiken on ESPN2.

MMC – It means a lot to me.  It's been a year and a half since I was on ESPN against Edner Cherry.  I am here to make a statement!

BT – What have you learned from the defeat against Edner Cherry?

MMC – I learned a lot from that fight.  Every fighter that you fight, you learn something.  After fighting Cherry, I was like 'wow' I learned a lot from him.  I learned that I could take his shot, and I took a lot of shots in that fight (laughs).

BT – You're a very short guy, do you feel that being so short actually poses problems for your opponents?

MMC – I use my height to my advantage, what they can't see, they can't hit (laughs).

BT – How will you use your height against Erik Aiken?

MMC – A lot of bobbing and weaving, non stop.  He's not going to be able to just come in on me and hit me.  I am going to invite him to throw that right hand because he's going to have to take one to give one.

BT – What part of Aiken's game gets your attention?

MMC – I know that he throws a decent right hand.  I know he likes to try to wear out his guys, and that would be a mistake against me.  I get stronger as the fights gets deeper into the fights.

BT – Your trainer in my opinion (Tom Yankello) is probably one of the most under-rated trainers in the business.  Talk about working with Tom.

MMC – Well it's my job to put the shine on him.  We have been working a long time together, and it's my job to bring the shine on Tom.  Tom works just as hard as the fighters, he runs right along with me on the track.  He's a gym rat like you wouldn't believe.  I think there is something wrong with the guy (laughs).  I appreciate that about Tom, he's the hardest working guy in the business.  He is always on the J.O.B.

BT – You have the big fight against Aiken.  What's your game plan for the rest of 2008?

MMC – I am going for a title, and I plan on putting on a great show on ESPN so that they will have me on again.  My major plan is to stay on television, my style is very fan friendly. 

BT – Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?

MMC – I am excited, and I am ready, so strap on your seat belts.  Hey Erik Aiken, I heard that you have been wanting to fight me.  I heard you're talking, so if you keep campaigning, sooner or later you're going to get elected....looks like you're going to get what you have been wishing for.  Be careful what you wish for!

M

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