AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MICKY WARD By Aladdin Freeman

The last time boxing fans saw Micky Ward, he was in an epic 10 round battle with Arturo Gatti, a fight that will be remembered for all time in boxing lore; the 9th round was something that even the best Hollywood Movie couldn't recreate.

Today, Micky and I took the time to sit down and discuss him making history and his up coming bout with Arturo Gatti. This will be the first part of a two-part interview that we'll do, one before the fight and one after the fight.

BRC: Micky what were your thoughts on the 1st fight, did you know or plan on making history when you guys got together (Laughing)?

WARD: It was a great fight, man. It was a great fight. I anticipated a good fight but I didn't know it was going to be as good as it was. It turned out to be a great fight; it was a very tough fight. Gatti is tough as hell and has a big heart but I'm glad that I came out on top and thought I did enough to do so. As far as History that's a fight, as well as a few others, that I will always keep a copy of and the rest is up to the fans to remember.

BRC: What took you so long to get going, Gatti's movement or something else? It seems like you start out slow often, but once the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds came along you really turned it up. Why didn't you try a little earlier to turn up the pressure, maybe he might have run out of gas?

WARD: Well, Gatti was moving around a lot at the beginning of the fight….I knew he was going to slow down sometime and once he did, I knew I could make it into my fight. As far as being a slow starter it's something that I'm working on, but you're correct it's something that we're fixing now in training… coming out faster.

BRC: I've read and heard from people in your camp that you feel you've trained harder and longer for this fight than any other in your career. Are you afraid that at your age of 37 you might be over training?

WARD: Right, no not really. It does happen to many fighters, but I do feel in excellent shape for this fight; I do want it that bad, because I know what kind of fight it's going to turn into. I've thought about it but I really do feel in great shape and I'm sure I'll peak at fight night.

BRC: Speaking of fight night, let's talk about the fight. Let's say Gatti comes out moving even more than he did in the last fight and boxing even more than last time, let's say when he gets in the exchanges he doesn't do well so he avoids them all together. What steps are you taking to be prepared for that kind of fight?

WARD: Most definitely I'm ready for him to be on his horse, I've been working on jabbing my way in and also cutting the ring off more so he won't have the room to roam like he did last time. To be honest with you, I've also been working on him coming at me, because I know he's going to land to combos and then try to walk towards me. I'll be ready to catch him.

BRC: All right, without giving away too much of the fight strategy, real quick is your left hand all right? Because I know that's the money hand with the punch to the body... I remember you telling me after the first fight that it was bothering you?

WARD: On my left hand my knuckles were sore. I don't know what Gatti's is made of but yeah it was killing me after the fight, now everything is excellent.

BRC: Now let's talk body work. I've heard of guys having “ Glass Chins” but it really seems like Gatti -for as tough of a guy as he is- has “Glass Ribs;” even in his fight with Gabe Ruelas he didn't take body shots well. Are you going to make it a point to hit him there early which may help set up the knock out?

WARD: (Laughing) Oh most definitely. I'm going to try and land some early on him but I don't just want to focus on the body, I'm going to hit upstairs as well and see how he takes it. I really want to catch him early, I feel if I can do that then I'll have a better shot of winning and maybe getting him out of there.

BRC: We talked a little about this last time, when we talked about Las Vegas and how it seemed like many fighters didn't get a fair shake out there... I pose the same question to you about Atlantic City, New Jersey. Are you at all concerned because of the way the last fight turned out being that the hometown judge gave you a 10-7 score in the 9th round, that Gatti is going to get points in the judges eyes just because of that? I guess my point is if it goes to decision do you feel you can win it?

WARD: You know Aladdin, I don't care. Whatever happens will happen. I try not to worry about it because there's nothing I can do about it anyways…

BRC: Oh yes there is, you can try to get a knock out…

WARD: Yeah but if it doesn't happen then, it's out of my hands and I just have to hope that I don't leave it in their (the judges) hands and if I do that I get a fair shake.

BRC: So you're going to be hoping and pushing for the Knock Out?

WARD: I mean that's always good, but I'm not going to look for that. Hey if I catch him it'll be cool. if I don't I'm sure it's a big enough event that there are going to be some neutral judges maybe one from New England, one from Jersey, and one from somewhere else. I'm not going to complain or think about it. I don't care.

BRC: Are you hoping again for Frank Cappuccino as a ref? You couldn't have asked for a better ref to let two warriors brawl... (Laughing)

WARD: (Laughing) Yea, Frank was great and still is. He's an old guy but he does his homework and lets you fight your fight. I'd love to get Frank again. He does everything with his voice. I have a lot of respect for him, but hey, if it's another guy then I'll still plug ahead.

BRC: I wanted to congratulate you on the big payday. If there's any sport that needs guys to be paid better it's boxing and if there's anyone in boxing that deserves a big pay day you're the guy. I'd bet if you ask 10 boxing fans what fighter deserves a million dollar payday, I'd bet big money 8 would say you. That's how much you're thought of especially for all the great battles you've given to the sport.

WARD: Thanks man, that means a lot. I'm glad to get one big one and now other.

BRC: And with that I have to ask how much longer do you plan on fighting?

WARD: To be honest with you…

BRC: You better be honest with me... (Laughing)... I always appreciate honesty from fighters.

WARD: (Laughing) I know, and I told you last time. maybe one more. This time I'm telling you; if I win and get a shot at the title then I'll take it and be done, if I lose then that could be it. Let's say this, if everything goes well with this one I'll have one more and then put them up. I'm very confident in this fight but you have to always look on the other side of it and if things don't go well that may be it.

BRC: Well, I hope that which ever of you two win this fight will get the title shot vs. Kostya Tszyu. His fight with James Leija is garbage, not to say anything bad about Jessie but he didn't even beat you. Is that what may be keeping you around for one more fight, a title shot?

WARD: Ah no question, man that would be a dream come true. God willing that will happen but you never know what will happen, this is boxing.

BRC: Are you worried about health?

WARD: That's the exact thing why I'm say one more and that's it, I'm 37 years old, I don't care how much money I'm getting I want to be normal and level headed. I don't care if they give me 10 million after the next one if I don't feel right in the head or able to conduct myself I'm hanging them up.

BRC: Well Micky we'll save that discussion for after the fight. Hey man, it's always a pleasure and good luck in the fight. Keep Plugging on.

WARD: Thanks Aladdin will do, we'll talk.

Aladdin's first interview with Ward

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