“It’s not going to go the distance”

RC: What’s going on Verno? What’s the latest?
VP: I recently got the word that I will be fighting Teddy Reid August 9th on ESPN in Connecticut at Foxwoods. We are going to be fighting for the Trans-American Belt.

RC: Is the fight a done deal, are the contracts signed?
VP: I already signed mine; I don’t know what he did with his. But when he does sign that contract he is going to get it.

RC: Both you and Reid faced former world title challenger J.C. Candelo in your last bouts, why don’t you give us your thoughts on both your respective bouts against Candelo?
VP: It was an alright fight for me; everyone saw that I beat him, and with his fight, I doesn’t matter. When he gets into the ring with me, I am just going to take him apart and get him out of there. I’m excited and looking forward to the victory. I am going to be in great shape for this fight, I got something for him. He can come in and throw all those bombs, but trust me I got something for all of that.

RC: Are you telling me that a fight between yourself and Teddy Reid, the bout doesn’t go the distance?
VP: No it’s not going to go the distance. If he is going to come in wilding out for the first couple of rounds, then after a few rounds I am just going to blow him away. When he gets in the ring, he is going to thing he is walking through a landmine.

RC: Does your bold prediction, indicate that in the back of your mind, if you want to fight for another world title, you are going to have to go in there and make a statement in order to get back into serious title contention?
VP: No not really, it is jus that I have to go out there and show people that I am still doing it. I have almost twenty years under my belt, so I have to show them that I am still one of the top dogs out there and that they NEED to give me an opportunity.

RC: At this point in your career, you are 36 years old and not getting any younger with your 37th birthday coming right around the corner in November, exactly what would you like to accomplish before you hang the gloves up for good?
VP: Maybe a shot with Winky Wright or one of them. They can see I have been doing my thing for so long, so a shot at someone like him will be a good look

RC: Winky Wright at this point in his career has made it clear that he is only looking for big fights at this time in his career, and not that a fight between you wouldn’t be entertaining, but many at this point wont consider it a big fight . Providing all goes well on the 9th, are they possibly any other fights out there that interest you?
VP: Yeah them young cats out there can get it like Sechew (Powell), Ishe Smith any one of them. Right now I am just looking forward to Teddy Reid; he has only won one of his last four fights or something like that. But don’t get me wrong, I am not taking him lightly. A lot of people will look and think about Teddy Reid in his last few fights and end up sleeping on him. But I know I am going to do my thing and like I said, it’s whoever wants it, can be next. Then hopefully one of these big names will give me an opportunity.

RC: Anything you’d like to add?
VP: Yes on August 9th I am going back to the East Coast to representing on ESPN, then after that whoever is next lets do it.

 

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