GL: It's been a while since we've had you on Boxingtalk. Thanks to Vitali Klitschko's fifth consecutive pullout, you're going to be facing Jameel McCline on October 6. Can you give us some thoughts on the fight? "You know Greg, this is a blessing from the big man upstairs. There was an opportunity for me to go to Jameel McCline's camp to help him prepare for Vitali Klitschko, but I didn't think the numbers were satisfactory so I opted not to. Then I got a call from K2 Promotions, and I was like are you trying to get me to go to Germany? So I went over to Germany to help Vitali prepare for Jameel McCline. The sparring and the work was very good. The accomodations were four thumbs up. It was just a very nice setting. It was very hard not to be focused in that camp because of the way K2 and Klitschko treated me. They provided the accomodations and the food and everyting was great. In either case, I didn't see any injury in Vitali Klitschko and I boxed with him, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday the week before. He looked fine to me. I later learned that he went to the gym on Saturday and he had some kinks in his back so they took an MRI and found out that he needed immediate surgery."

GL: Did you drop him in sparring?

DaVarryl Williamson: "No I did not. He didn't drop me and I didn't drop him. The sparring was very competitive. We both took a few and gave a few. I just want to count my blessings. Who knew going to Germany I was going to get the fight with McCline. Jameel and I couldn't sell two tickets over there in Germany, but putting our fight in Madison Square Garden, it makes it a very significant fight."

GL: What are you hoping a victory over McCline does for your career?

DW: "I feel that my rankings are still on the chart. I think a win over McCline, like it would have done for Vitali, should put me right back in the mix. Especially if I win convincingly. I should be knocking on one of the doors for a title shot. Now Vitali is hurt and the WBC is promised him they will do something for him. Now that Vitali is hurt Oliver McCall is next in line. Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to get the winner of Maskaev and Peter."

GL: You're one of the most personable heavyweights in the game. You articulate yourself well and you're a great interview, but sometimes when you get into the ring you fail to capitalize on these qualities, why is that? Are you hoping that changes on October 6?

DW: "I hope and pray that it changes and that you will get a DaVarryl Williamson who went in there against Corey Sanders and Derrick Jefferson, not the one who fought Joe Mesi and Chris Byrd. I'm not bitching about all of the things that have happened to me during this time, and I tell you, you find out who your friends are. My wife and I have grown so much closer because of these pitfalls and things that you go through. I'm sure each and every fighter has a story of how they have overcome some adversity. The Rahman's, the Manny Pacquiao's, the Chris Byrd's, everybody has a situation. We all have a story and I'm just happy as a kid in a candy store about the opportunity to get on the main stage in the Mecca of boxing."

GL: Do you plan on going out there all guns blazing on October 6, realizing that this might be your last chance to really get into the mix for a title shot?

DW: "I'm certainly betting on myself to win this fight. I think that it the most accurate way of saying it. You hit it right on the head. I not only have to win, but I have to win convincingly. This fight has to be a showcase for me. They never forget the Chris Byrd fight, I have to make them ask where I've been. But I can't talk about it, I have to show you better than I can tell you."

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

DW: "I appreciate Jameel McCline for giving me the opportunity. Both of our butts are on the line. I'm coming to hit the targets until they're no longer there. I plan on winning this fight convincingly. I want to thank the Boxingtalk fans for keeping their eyes and ears open for me. I appreciate you Greg, for being able to reach out to you at a moments notice and have a relationship with you where I'll get an interview at the drop of a dime."

M

Send questions and comments to: gleon@boxingtalk.com