Heavyweight Johnnie White Interview: I’m On The Comeback Trail
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In an exclusive interview with Real Combat Media, after a ring absence of over two years, Louisiana heavyweight Johnnie White is back in the gym in Chicago with new trainer Joseph Awinongya, also the trainer of middleweight contender Osumanu Adama. White, 29 years old, 22-4 with 18 knockouts, Saint Martinsville, Louisiana, has been in training for two months, and will next fight Chicago heavyweight Carl Davis at Cicero Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, on July 26, 2013. White appeared to get robbed in his last bout, a ten round disputed decision loss to Neven Pajkic at Molson Centre in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, on February 4, 2011, for the vacant NABA Canada title.
Highlights White versus Pajkic on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBUNT2e3K0E
Real Combat Media: “Johnnie, what brought you to Chicago to train with Joseph Awinongya?”
Johnnie White: “God brought me here. I hooked up with Joseph. I liked training with him. God brought me here. He knew where I needed to be.”
Real Combat Media: “What caused your two year layoff from boxing?”
Johnnie White: “Me fighting with my manager in civil court, Phil Daley. After my losses, I needed a better trainer, and he was trying to hold me down. He wasn’t trying to help my career, he just wanted me to fight without a better trainer. He helped me out in the beginning. When it was time for him to spend money on me, spread my wings and get better, he did not want to back me up, put money up and get better. Basically I was training myself on my own my last two or three years of my career. “
Real Combat Media: “What was the result of the court battle? Are you still under contract?”
Johnnie White: “ He (Daley) breached the contract. Yes and no. If he settles with me in court, I’ll give him ten percent of my bouts for the next 18 months. Nothing is cast in stone. My lawyer and his lawyer are still working things out in the Lake Charles (Louisiana) court.”
Real Combat Media: “Have you been out of actual training for two years?”
Johnnie White: “I was always still training, keeping myself in decent shape, sparring with a few guys. I never did stop doing everything (training) completely. It was not hard for me to stay into shape, and do running. I was also training other fighters in Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana.”
Real Combat Media: “How is training with Joseph Awinongya different?”
Johnnie White: “It’s a whole different energy. We train for hours at a time! High energy. Intensity. Pad work is phenomenal. He (Joseph) makes sure you throw every punch right and crisp. He worries about the little things: how you move your feet; your feet is in the right place; how you set up for the next punch. It’s just totally different, what I needed to take it (my boxing training) to the next level.”
Real Combat Media: “Johnnie, how is your sparring coming along?”
Johnnie White: “I’ve been sparring for like a month now. I’ve even sparred five rounds with middleweight Osumanu Adama.”
Real Combat Media: “How did the Carl Davis fight come about?”
Johnnie White: “Promoter Cynthia Tolaymat offered it to me. Osumanu Adama (my gym stablemate) told me if I wanted to fight, to call and ask Cynthia. I was originally supposed to fight Detroit cruiserweight Rico Hoye, who is still scheduled to appear on Tolaymat’s July 26 Cicero Stadium Chicago card. Rico Hoye did not want to fight against me, but he’s still on the card. I’m a dog! I’ll fight against anybody. “
Real Combat Media: “Are you a better fighter now training with Joseph?”
Johnnie White: “Joseph is my man right now. I am getting better as a fighter. There’s a road to the top with a better trainer. There’s a lot of fighters at the top I can beat. Shelton LeBlanc was training me before when I left Mr. Daley. I was supposed to fight Siarhei Liakhovich at the time I left my previous location. Shelton LeBlanc is good trainer. He helped me a lot for my last fight with Nevin Pajkic. It was basically training with him was excellent, but there was no heavyweight sparring. Out here (in Chicago) they’ve got heavyweight sparring, and everything I need to make me a better fighter.”
Real Combat Media: “How has Joseph Awinongya’s training affected your hand and foot speed in your two months of training with him?’
Johnnie White: “Joseph has made a lot faster with my hands, and made me move quicker on my feet. Quicker in letting my punches go, quicker in learning (how to move and) not to get hit.”
Real Combat Media: “Joe mentioned an interest in fighting Joey Abell at some point in the future Fres Oquendo, Joey Abell, and Mike Mollo are among those main event heavyweights now in Chicago. Could a fight with them be possible for you in the future?”
Johnnie White: “Yes, if the money was right, and I would not be fighting their promoter’s cards-where I could be robbed. It’s hard to win on the promoter’s card, unless it’s a 50-50 chance when it’s a joint promotion between your promoter and their promoter.”
Real Combat Media: Johnnie, are you a fighter who accepts all heavyweight challenges?”
Johnnie White: “I’ll fight any professional heavyweight boxer that has a pulse and bleeding blood pumping through their veins.”
Real Combat Media: “Johnnie, you seem exceptionally motivated to train with Joseph Awinongya and return to the ring. What in particular is motivating you?”
Johnnie White: “I want a rematch with Seth Mitchell. Because He’s the only fighter who beat me and made me feel humiliated. He made it look like he knocked me down with a jab. I want a rematch with him! That’s what I’m gunning for. Before my career ends, I’ve got to have a rematch with Seth Mitchell. He’s a protected fighter.”
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