With Kerry Daigle

Lamon Brewster will make his first title defense of his WBO (World Boxing Organization) heavyweight title when he squares off against unknown Kali Meehan on Showtime Championship Boxing, Saturday, September 4th, 2004 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on a Don King promoted show.

I had the opportunity of interviewing Meehan, his trainer Mark Jannsen, his manager, Ted Allen, and Aaron Snowell, the trainer of Owen Beck, about Meehan’s biggest opportunity in his boxing career while they were training in Las Vegas, Nevada for this heavyweight shoot-out. Not much is being said about Meehan’s chances, however, this interview will share the fighter’s insight on this fight and the confidence he and his team will bring to the September 4th challenge.

This is Meehan’s third fight in the United States, his first on May 20th, 2000 against Ron Brown, a 3-3 fighter at that time when Meehan was 15-0. Meehan won a 6 round decision. Brown later retired as a 5-5-1 fighter while Meehan lost only one pro fight, June 9th, 2001 against recent Mike Tyson victor, Danny Williams in England. That fight ended in 0:32 seconds of round one with Meehan going down twice rather quickly. Although he got up both times, he was quick to admit he got up the second time while laughing. Maybe he was embarrassed more than hurt if you listen to his story. Meehan claims he started this fight ‘cold’ and that he was actually ready to continue after knockdown number two. This was a big win against an undefeated fighter like Meehan for Danny Williams on his home turf. Meehan then went on to fight every available heavyweight in Australia until his 2nd fight in the United States against Damon Reed (38-9) at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada winning by TKO in round 6 bringing his record to 29-1 (23 KO’s).

Based on these performances and being virtually unknown in the U.S., Meehan is listed as a big underdog in this fight. Why is that? First of all, Lamon Brewster is from the U.S.---being born in the well known boxing city of Indianapolis, Indiana and later living in Los Angeles, California and being trained by the now deceased legendary trainer (of heavyweight Ken Norton), Bill Slayton. Brewster’s biggest win came against Wladimir Klitschko with a TKO in 5 rounds when referee Robert Byrd stops the fight at the end of the round with Klitschko gasping for oxygen. Was this a big win for Brewster? Most definitely, however, Klitschko also showed very little in conditioning and seemed like he lost the fight more than Brewster won it. Am I saying Brewster doesn’t deserve the win against Klitschko? No, I’m not----but I am saying this is a very even fight. Consider this: Brewster lost 2 ten round decisions. One was to Charles Shufford on scores of 93-97, 92-98, 93-97 and one to Clifford Etienne on scores of 92-98, 91-99, 91-99 both in the years 2000.

Meehan can box-----he can punch a little----and although it seems Brewster has a more powerful punch (according to boxing experts) he couldn’t put the smallest of dents in the chins of Shufford or Etienne. Brewster has some strengths in his desire and heart and his ability to take a punch, however, “chins” don’t win heavyweight titles-----punches do. Kali Meehan, if in top shape, can outbox and outpunch Lamon Brewster for another big upset in the ranks of the boxing champions and could become the first heavyweight boxing champion based in Australia and born in New Zealand. Brewster’s determination and desire to win is a definite factor in this fight which makes the match a fairly even one to call. Could be very interesting!!

The interview started with Kali Meehan.

Kerry: Kali, where are you from? Are you married…..children?

Kali: Originally, New Zealand. I now live in Wyongah, Australia between Sydney and New Castle. I am 34 years old, am married (wife’s name is Rowena) and have 3 boys, Louis (10), Willis (8), and Isaac (3).

Kerry: What is your height?

Kali: 6’5”

Kerry: When did you get started in boxing? How many amateur fights and what inspired you to become a boxer?

Kali: I started boxing at the age of 13 through one of my uncles who used to box. I had 26 amateur fights all in New Zealand. That was a lot of fights for a New Zealander because we didn’t have many boxers in our country. What inspired me was watching Larry Holmes vs Muhammad Ali box on television. I remember watching that fight on a black and white TV set. Larry Holmes was a big inspiration because of his boxing style. I loved his jab. Also, Joe Louis. I really admired the way he represented himself.

Kerry: Does not having name recognition in the U.S. bother you?

Kali: Not really. It doesn’t bother me. In fact, there is no pressure on me whatsoever. The pressure is on Brewster. I am just going to fight him.

Kerry: Who was your toughest professional opponent to date?

Kali: I would have to say the big Ugandan, Peter Okhello. I fought him in Japan where he resides and is promoted. I took the fight on a short notice. He knocked me down in the first and then I knocked him out in the third. That was a tough but short fight full of action.

Kerry: Who are you sparring with in camp?

Kali: My chief sparring partner is Owen Beck from Jamaica who is an undefeated world ranked heavyweight.

Kerry: How is sparring with Owen?

Kali: Quite honestly, Kerry, working with Owen gives me a great psychological advantage. Owen is a guy who throws a lot of punches and is extremely busy. You have to be thinking every second in the ring with him. Brewster doesn’t throw as many punches as Owen.

Kerry: So, working with Owen gives you a psychological advantage over Brewster?

Kali: Yes, and not taking anything away from Brewster. Brewster has a lot of determination and grit. He keeps coming and has a very good chin and a strong left hook which I have to watch out for. With Owen you have to be moving and punching at the same time forcing me to get in tip top condition to stay competitive which I need for this fight. Plus Owen’s trainer, Aaron Snowell, is assisting and he is a great motivator. Aaron is also an excellent strategist and has given us some great suggestions on how to win this fight. My trainer, Mark Janssen, is making me think more and together this team is really working great together. I’m ready to make this the fight of my life.

Kerry: Do you think Brewster is taking you seriously?

Kali: Most definitely as I am of him. We are two big heavyweights and are both going to want be called “Heavyweight Champion of the World”. This win will put either of us into extremely lucrative fights in the following year. I’ve trained and sparred with Brewster. He knows me well and I know him also. I guarantee you he is training very seriously and is getting in top shape because he knows this is going to be a heck of a fight.

THE NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS WAS PRESENTED TO MARK “THE MAGIC MAN’ JANSSEN, KALI’S TRAINER.

Kerry: Mark, how do you see Kali winning this fight?

Mark: Kali has to be smart. He has to keep his jab coming and fight aggressively with it. That is no secret to Brewster. He knows Kali. Also we have a good ‘puncher’s ‘ chance in this fight. We are very confident.

Kerry: Brewster has fought better opposition. Do you feel that is a disadvantage for Kali?

Mark: Not at all. Yes, Brewster has fought better opposition, however, he lost two decisions to busy boxers in Shufford and Etienne, however, this will be our night of opportunity. Kali is ready and prepared to bring this title back to Australia. We know Brewster brings incredible determination and a great attitude to the ring. Plus he does have a good left hook and is a very good puncher but then Kali can hit also and has an excellent left jab. We are not looking to win the first two or three rounds……we are looking to win the fight. We have a plan and we will carry it through.

Kerry: Have you worked with Aaron Snowell before? I understand he is in your corner for this fight.

Mark: Yes, I have worked with Aaron. We’ve been in camp with Aaron and his heavyweight, Owen Beck, who we are sparring with now. Aaron brings lots of wisdom with the heavyweights in the camp and is a great motivator. He will be working the corner with us. That is a huge confidence booster.

THE NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS ARE ADDRESSED TO CO-MANAGER, TED ALLEN.

Kerry: How did all this happen so quickly for Kali? A heavyweight title fight?

Ted: Kerry, this was a tremendous opportunity for us. Almost a ‘Cinderella story’. We were brought in to spar with some of the heavyweights in Don King’s camp. One of the fighter’s we sparred with was John Ruiz. Ruiz enjoyed the work so much, his manager, Norman Stone, called Bobby Goodman and insisted Don King look at Kali. Stone told Bobby, “This guy, Kali, can fight…you really need to take a good look at him”. So we worked well with everyone in camp and everything paid off. We did everything we were supposed to do and here we are.

Kerry: Is being the underdog an advantage or disadvantage for you?

Ted: Really an advantage. No pressure. Everyone worldwide will get to see what Kali is all about. Plus we have a great trainer in Mark Janssen. Mark was a really great fighter himself and has taught Kali the skills on how to become a world class fighter and you will see that on September 4th. We have Aaron Snowell helping us and motivating us. This is going to be history, Kerry. Kali is the only Australian based heavyweight to fight for a heavyweight title in 98 years. I really feel good about bringing that world title home.

CLOSING QUESTIONS TO AARON SNOWELL:

Kerry: Tell us what you see in Kali, Aaron.

Aaron: A good strong boxer/puncher who will surprise a lot of people. Kerry, some people read history, to some people history is a mystery, and yet some people make history as the day goes on. Kali is making history as the days go on.

Kerry: What are Kali’s chances on upsetting the odds on this fight?

Aaron: Kerry, you have to only fight good one night to be heavyweight champion of the world. We are going to teach Kali how to make September 4th his good night.

THIS ENTIRE INTERVIEW CAN BE REPRINTED AS LONG AS THE AUTHOR’S NAME IS USED AND THE NAME OF WEBSITE, WWW.KEEPPUNCHING.COM .
KERRY DAIGLE CAN BE REACHED AT 337.288.8510 OR BY EMAILING HIM AT KERRY@KEEPPUNCHING.COM . KERRY IS AN AGENT AND MANAGER OF PROFESSIONAL BOXERS, AUTHOR, AND PUBLIC SPEAKER.