Former WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster 35-4 (30) returns to the ring August 29th in Westfalen, Germany to take on the once beaten Nigerian born boxer Gbenga Oloukun 16-1 (10) in a scheduled ten round heavyweight match-up. The former title holder who has defeated the likes of Luan Krasniqi (9th R. TKO), Andrew Golota (1st R. TKO) and Wladimir Klitschko (5th R. TKO), aims to get back to the top of the crop in hopes of a three peat showdown against the premiere heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, who both have a win over one another.
In the last installment of this exclusive interview, Lamon Brewster reminisces about his past, talks about the present, and gives his plans for the future, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.
I remember when we were in Chicago when you were defending against Andrew Golota. I remember the Polish fans were crazy as all get out. You went in there and blasted Golota. What was it like to go in there and devour this guy in front of his fans?
Lamon Brewster
Well man for me all my fights have always been a fight of fate, because I went in there knowing it was his hometown; know that out side of Poland Chicago is the largest polish population in the world. But you know the Bible says God is with you so who can be against you. I just say it doesn’t matter where in the world I am at because if God is with me then I have nothing to fear. I trained and did everything I was supposed to do and I went in there, I did not allow fear to succeed, I defeated fear. I overcame my fear of the crowd, my fear of him or whatever, and I did what I was supposed to do.
BH
I have a funny story about that time, I had the Lamon Brewster shirt on at the hotel, and I was in the elevator with two guys from Golota’s team. They seen it and starting talking to me with this weird look on their faces, I was a bit nervous. All though his team was courteous, his fans were a little different. I know the television didn’t show it all, but from what I seen live, you had a lot of stuff thrown at you.
LB
That was the first time in my life that I have ever experienced that, they were real to me, I did not have to fight Andrew Golota but I gave him a chance to fight me, just because I thought he would be a valid opponent. But, the people who backed up Golota were throwing their drinks and spitting on me, just things like that. I did not even have to fight him, I did them a favor, and I didn’t have to fight him in his hometown which I did. But the way they repay me is by throwing their drinks on me and spitting on me, which made me even angrier so that is why I knocked him out the way I did. I actually needed to thank all of his fans because his fans are the ones who got him knocked out, because I was so angry that I took it out on him.
BH
I have a good memory of the fight when you defended against Kali Meehan, you two really took it to each other in the fight. I remember afterwards we are all eating. And Kali and his team come in the room and sat at the table. Kali grabbed a slice of pizza off of your plate. You two sat there and ate together and talked about the fight.
LB
You have to be bale to separate business from personal, the business was done, and the crowd was pleased so we could get back to being friends, that’s what it is all about.
BH
You had rough patch there with the loss to Liakhovich, then the loss to Kitsch in the rematch, now you are two fights back in the game with. So now in this part of your career, what can the fans expect from Lamon Brewster?
LB
Once again, you don’t know how much you want something until you lose. Now you are going to see the Lamon Brewster you had seen leading up to the first Klitschko fight. I am slick, not getting hit, I am fighting in close and boxing as well as faster than ever. I am not worried about my power anymore like I used to because I know the power is there. Everything is beautiful man, I am better than ever, but for me to say that I hope you don’t believe it, just tune in and watch, when I tell you that you have never seen this Lamon Brewster, I cannot wait for you to see me again. I am fighting August 29th in Germany, but I will be coming home to the United States real soon, I can guarantee that because the networks are going to find out that I truly am and still the best fighter in the world. When I had my titles, no body wanted to call me out, nobody wanted to fight me, except for other contenders, none of the other world title holders would even mention my name. Wladimir Klitschko would not even mention my name until I got hurt, but now that I am back; all I can tell you baby is don’t blink!
BH
Do you know anything about this guy you will be fighting come August 29th?
LB
He is from Nigeria, but now lives in Germany, but he is going to be able to tell his kids one day, he fought the best heavyweight in the world.
BH
What is it like for you to fight over in Germany?
LB
Shoot, I am like Elvis over there man. They are real big boxing fans over there. You have a lot of die hard fans other there.
BH
What has been the hardest aspect in being a professional fighter?
LB
For me the hardest part, doing it for such a long time as I have, I am still dedicated to it, I still love it, and the hardest part is when you get these guys who call themselves analyst who says things and don’t even know what they are talking about, and that is hard for me, because you don’t know what a guy goes through and then you day why is he tired, they don’t know, and that bothers me a lot.
BH
I am going to mention three names, and I want you to say the first thing that pops up in your mind.
Chris Arreola
LB
Young, he still has a ways to go, I feel that he is personally being rushed; I feel that he can develop into a much better fighter, but I just think he needs more experience.
BH
Eddie Chambers
LB
I think he looked real good in his last fight; I would like to see Eddie go and do something with himself. I hope he makes some good money, I think he is a decent fighter and has a bright future in boxing.
BH
Wladimir Klitschko
LB
I think he is on top of his game right now, I think he is the man to beat. Like I told everybody, give me three fights and I will be ready to fight anybody in the world. I think his days are numbered. I think he should retire before I get back on top because I am going to destroy him, so the option is his. Because when I get there, there are not going to be any words.
BH
Advice you would give to an up and coming fighter?
LB
Study tapes on all fighters, there are no shortcuts; you have to give 100% if you want to be 100%. Find the style that is suitable for you, I know for a fact, if you get two guys that are in great shape, the guy that is going to win, is the one with the most knowledge in boxing. Be a student of the game, and really hone your craft.
BH
What opportunity does your new promoter bring to the table?
LB
I feel like Sauerland, there is no limit, if they give me the stage that I need, I know nobody can beat me.
BH
Anything in closing?
LB
Don’t blink!
Benny Henderson Jr.
www.convictedartist.com
