Convicted Artist Lead Writer Chris Strait spoke with Deon "The Natural" Elam, a Los Angeles cruiserweight who appeared on the Contender TV series. That was many years ago, and after many layoffs due to personal and managerial issues, he finally has his team complete, and is ready to make a run in the 200lb division. Elam fights in a 6-rounder in the February 6 card at Florentine Gardens in Hollywood.
CS: Where are you from originally?
Deon Elam: I was born in South Central Los Angeles, but I grew up and still live in the San Fernando Valley.
CS: How did you get into boxing?
Deon Elam: I had a friend who boxed, and we were watching fights one day, and he asked me to come work and spar with him in the gym. That started it.. I just kept on going every day after that.
CS: And what was your amateur record/accomplishments?
Deon Elam: I was 80-10, fought in international competition, and I won the western trials in 2004.
CS: You've had a lot of stops and starts in your career. Why have we not seen you in nearly 4 years?
Deon Elam: Well, My daughter was born, and her mother was on bed-rest during the pregnancy and after, so I had to step up and concentrate on taking care of them. All the other layoffs before that were managerial.
CS: Who is handling you now?
Deon Elam: I am with Journeyman Management, and Bobby Jones and Jermond Fulford partnered to handle my career. I was always in the gym. George Diaz is training me, and I was always in shape, but just didn't have the team ready to push me forward. I finally have my career together.
CS: You were on the Contender TV series, too. Describe that experience.
Deon Elam: It was good and bad.. obviously the exposure was good, but it was a whole different mentality being a TV show. "can you be madder?" and things like that the directors would say. The whole mindset was odd, from the crowd to the production... it wasn't something I had experienced before.
CS: Do you see the cruiserweight division as a wide open one for you?
Deon Elam: It is definitely wide open, but I don't look at it like that. It's all about me doing my work, and looking for the opportunity, taking it, and being prepared when it comes.
CS: Do you know anything about your opponent?
Deon Elam: I don't have a clue now, but I just make sure I am prepared for whatever he brings.
CS: Where can people follow you on social media?
Deon Elam: Facebook is just my name. On Twitter: @deonelam On instagram its the natural elam
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
