EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MICHAEL GRANT
By Benny "Big Dog" Henderson Jr.
Coming up this Friday night at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, NV, former heavyweight title challenger Michael Grant (46-4 with 34 KOs) will take on hard-hitting Tye Fields 45-2 (41) in a ten round heavyweight match-up. In this exclusive interview conducted by Boxingtalk, Grant speaks out on his upcoming opponent and more. Enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: You are just days away from your scrap against Tye Fields; give the readers your thoughts on that match-up.
Michael Grant: "I got the phone call a month and a half out about this fight. My weight was already down so I didn't have to worry about getting into shape. I stayed home this time for camp and it really worked out well for me. I put in some good sparring. I know what Tye has to offer which is basically power, and he has no movement whatsoever."
BH: Correct me if I am wrong, but you are fighting Tye who is 6'8"Â, actually an inch taller than you. This your first opponent that you will be looking up too?
Michael Grant: I actually fought a 6'9"Â guy out of Florida [Editor's Note: Wallace McDaniel, whom Grant stopped back in 2005].
BH: What was different in your preparation for this bout since Tye is taller than you? Granted it is only an inch and you have a longer reach, but was anything different?
MG: Didn't affect it at all, I have a better time fighting guys who are taller than me. The only difference is that he is a southpaw, but as far as height, everything is still there for me. He doesn't basically duck and roll like shorter guys do, basically he stands in front of you and throw big shots.
BH: Do you feel this is a make-or-break fight for you?
MG: Yes, but every fight is like that for me. It is make-or-break for me, but then again it is not a make or break fight. Can you understand that?
BH: I can see where you are coming from a bit. I guess you are saying that regardless of the outcome you will fight on, but it is a make or break because a win moves you closer to the top but a loss can set you back.
MG: Exactly.
BH: You have been in the business for several years now, fought for the title against Lennox Lewis in 2000. Now you are thirty-eight years old. How much do you feel you still have left for this division and fight game?
MG: I am getting on age, but I know the one thing that has been leaving this sport and that is quality. Quality is leaving the heavyweight division, boxing period. But that quality is still in me as a fighter and a person. What I can offer is quality-- you know you are going to get 110% from Michael Grant. That is what I have to offer, and secondly, people do not talk about this though, but my life is a ministry, I have to say this, after what I have done, I could have played football, basketball or baseball, but I choose boxing. My life is a ministry, there is a book in it, and I am not looking ahead of things, but just looking at what I have to offer to this sport.
BH: As far as the fight against Tye Fields goes, what style of fight are you expecting between the two of you?
MG: I think Tye is going to come out and basically throw all power shots trying to get the fight over with. I remember when I used to fight like that, but I am different now. I will basically use my legs more, pop shot hit, use the jab and right hand. I will use different angle and feed everything off the right hand, keep out of harms way and use my hands.
BH: If you would send a message out to Tye Fields using Boxingtalk as a platform what would it be?
MG: We just did an interview on channel 8, there was no trash talk or anything, he knows what I think of him, and he is going to bring power to the table.
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