5/4/07 - Tom Dodgewww.keeppunching.com  LAFAYETTE – With backgrounds in both Zydeco and boxing, Wilford Scypion Jr. is ready to make music in the ring. Scypion is the grandson of late Texas Zydeco musician L. C. Donatto and the son of boxing legend Wilford Scypion Jr. Scypion is living up to both namesakes as a member of J. Paul and the Zydeco Nubreeds - playing washboard and singing vocals in the band while preparing for his professional boxing debut May 12 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville. “I love both stages,” he explained, “being a musician has helped make me a better boxer and hopefully boxing will bring better recognition to the band.” The Zydeco NuBreeds is known for its French Creole music sounds found of rural Southwest Louisiana, blending it with the sounds of blues, R&B and Hip Hop. How does boxing and scrub board help each other? “It gives me a lot of hand strength and coordination playing the scrub board,” he said. “Singing helps me with my breathing and lung capacity as well as endurance.” Pro debut “I am ready,” he said of his debut. “This is the biggest fight of my career. For me, this is my championship fight. I need to go out and prove to everyone that Willford Scypion Jr. is somebody that they need to watch. “I haven’t had a long amateur career – only 34 fights with 20 KO’s. I am willing to do my best and give my all. Family history in the ring Willford’s father, Scypion Sr’s professional career spanned 13 years (1978 to 1991) including the USBA middleweight championship win over Frank Fletcher in 1983. He would fight Marvin Hagler for WBA and IBF belts that same year. Scypion Sr. would also fight Murray Sutherland for the USBA Super middle weight title in 1984, his final title bout and closed out his career at 32-9 in 1991. So with talents in both arenas it makes sense for the younger Scypion to follow his double dreams. “I want to pick up where he left off,” the son said of his father’s career in the ring. So does he have his father’s style? “I have always loved boxing,” he said. “I first began fighting in 1991 and my dream has always been to be better than my dad. He had a lot of heart and there was no stopping him. “I have a lot of heart too,” he said. “If I hit you, you are going to fall.” This led Scypion to say it is important for him to land the first hard punch in the ring on May 12th. “My dad taught me to lead off with my jab and everything else will follow,” middleweight Scypion said. “I am a lot like him in the ring. But I also have a secret punch I will show the crowd at the Paragon. Scypion grew up in Port Arthur, Texas but made frequent trips to Opelousas as he began his musical career at the age of seven playing rub board in his grandfather’s band. Scypion graduated from Port Arthur Lincoln in 1998 where he was known for his abilities on the football field and basketball court. He attended Baytown Community College and Lamar-Port Arthur before halting his education to focus on music and boxing. But he plans to return to college – this time at the University of Louisiana to earn a degree in kinesiology with the hopes of one day coaching basketball. Willford, 27, is married to Jennifer and they have a young son, Wilford III, who will be three years old in August. Scypion said his faith in God plays a vital part in his preparation for a fight – even the upcoming “biggest fight of his career”. “I live a clean life,” he said, “I don’t smoke and I don’t drink. Even though the temptations are there as both a musician and an athlete I still have will power and self control.” Willford said he prepares and trains for his fights listening to gospel artists such as Kurt Franklin, J. P. Kee and Fred Hammond. His travels for the band send his regularly to Houston, where he attends Fountain of Praise and United Christian Fellowship in Lake Charles.  So is he ready for his pro debut? “I have been training with Bobby Aucoin Sr. and sparring with Bobby Jr,” he explained of battling the co-main event of the “Redemption or Retirement” card at the new Mari Center at the Paragon. “I am steadily improving getting better week by week.” "Our intentions with Keeppunching Entertainment are to have high quality fighters with character,” fight promoter Mickey Daigle said of Scypion. “Wilford not only brings a lot of heart to the ring but also a lot of character and intelligence. He has tremendous kindness towards his peers, and most of all not only can fight well....he is a puncher.” Wilford not only fights in the same weight class as his dad, but will bear his father’s nickname -“The Scorpion.” To get tickets for the fights at the Mari Center at the Paragon Casino Resort go to www.paragoncasinoresort.com or call 1.800.WIN.1.WIN. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster. Ringside seats are 100 while available, general admission is 40. 
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