Marc Abrams
Okay. Welcome to the Daniel Jacobs/Sergio Mora conference call. The rematch will take place Friday ebusuku, September 9th, at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, and live on Spike TV. It’s a championship double header, a great show that will also feature the IBF lightweight championship of the world between undefeated Robert Easter and undefeated Richard Commey of Accra, Ghana. The show is promoted by Kings Boxing. And to make some opening statements, the President of Kings Boxing Mr. Marshall Kauffman. Marshall?
Marshall Kauffman
Sawubona, everybody. It’s a pleasure to be able to host such an exciting fight comeSeptember 9th. I’m looking forward to fireworks between both these–with both of these bouts. You have–with Richard Commey and Robert Easter, Jr., and of course, Daniel Jacobs and Sergio Mora, it’s going to be an exciting night. Ngibheke phambili ngempela kukho. And the [ongaqondakali] town of Reading as well is really excited about such a big event coming to our town.
Abrams
Well, we’ll start with Robert Easter–would like to make an opening comment.
Robert Easter
Yeah, I’ll all very excited to come to Reading, PA, and fight for the IBF world title. Sethemba, Richard Commey will bring his A game to the table because I’m definitely bringing my A-plus game to the table.
Abrams
Futhi, Richard, would you like to make an opening statement?
Richard Commey
Oh, yeah, I’m very excited to have this opportunity to fight for the IBF lightweight world title. I’ve worked so hard to get this opportunity. And I know Robert Easter, Jr., has also. Ngakho, ukuthi kuzoba empini enkulu.
Q
Robert, ngokuyisisekelo, he hasn’t faced anyone with your height, reach, amandla, and speed. Is that accurate? Can you give an assessment of your thoughts on that?
Easter
Yebo, no, he hasn’t faced anyone like me and my agility, my power, my length, my reach. He hasn’t faced a guy like me. Ngakho, that’s where I come in and take over this fight.
Q
Ngokwesinye isandla, who would you say that you have faced that is either comparable or better than him in ways that you think he need–he would need to be able to compete against you?
Easter
Bekuyi–Mendez, he was a speedy, speedy guy, fast, and could move a lot. Kodwa, what I’m hearing, Commey brings pressure I guess. That’s probably the only thing Mendez didn’t have. He came–he definitely came to fight, noma, but he was a speedy guy, a slick guy, to move his hands.
Q
I guess the last question, is there anything that is different or unique about Richard that you haven’t seen in an actual fight? I know you’ve been in sparring with guys like [Lamont Peterson] futhi Anthony Peterson, Adrian Broner, guys like that. Kodwa, in an actual fight, is there anything about him that you respect to the level that you’re really going to have to be on your P’s and Q’s about?
Easter
Every opponent you step in the ring with you have to respect. Kodwa, it’s nothing unique I see coming from him. It’s nothing I haven’t seen or faced. Ngakho, like I said, this should be a walk in the park for me, and I say that with confidence.
Q
Okay. Richard, I wonder what tradition you know when you talk about Azumah Nelson Have you talked to any of those guys or heard from any of those guys ?
Commey
Yebo. And I’m going to use the advice Azumah gave me over the last few weeks here in Ghana.
Q
Richard, how does Robert stack up to left hander went the distance with both those guys. Have you seen anything like what you’re going to see out of Robert in terms of reach and–?
Commey
I’ve inspired a lot of people with a lot of heart. I need this opportunity. His height really won’t matter. I’m coming there to win and that’s what I’m coming to do.
Q
The last question, what do you think you’ve–that he hasn’t fought anyone like? What do you think is unique about you that he hasn’t seen before?
Commey
Well, I’m a tall guy. And no matter what he does, I can win. Ngikhathazekile strong. And I can take punches and I can punch as well. I can do all that. If he can’t–he will lose. I respect the height and his reach and his skills as a boxer.
Q
I’ll start with you, Easter. Welcome to the fight, and good luck to you. You mentioned that you’re ready, and Commey has not fought anybody of your caliber. Kodwa, if you look at both records, you guys are both undefeated with a nice double figure of knockouts. And he’s already a champion is his country and all that. Manje, and you are an ex-Olympian. Are you telling me, or as I understand, that you’re minimizing what he has, taking in consideration that he is undefeated, just like you, and somebody’s always got to go? Ngakho, what do you–how do you assess that?
Easter
Seeing the few rounds I did watch is the skills, and I wouldn’t say they were that good, but he–like I said, he’s just very strong. Bathi yena onamandla. Kodwa, you’re only strong to somebody you can hit.
When you got to–boxing out there, like me, I’m using my rank, my length, and what I’m throwing [can be] hard as well, how you going to be able to get past that? Ngakho, like I said, the skills are not much there. Kodwa, I don’t like to get hit that much. I won’t get hit that much. Ngakho, I’m going to take all that away, and then whatever he’s bringing and adjust to have him adjust to me. Once I get him in my game plan, the fight is going to go my way the whole few rounds it’s going to last.
Q
Do you feel that your Olympic experience is an advantage over him because, phela, when you get to the high heights of Olympic experience and international amateur fighting, you’re almost like a pro? It’s almost like stepping into the living room when you turn pro. Ngakho, that has–you have an edge on that?
Easter
I wouldn’t pretty much focus on the amateur side because the transition from the amateur to pro is way different. You know patience.So, I’ll transition pretty quickly like Lamont Peterson, Anthony Peterson, Adrien Broner, guys like that..
Q
Are you hoping to–just to name two guys to follow the tradition of African champions, like Ike Quartey and the great Azumah Nelson, to bring another title back to Africa? Is this what–not only to win, kunjalo, but is–this is your direction, your crusade, when you were saying that, “Ekugcineni, I got a chance at a world title,” and your heart of hearts, this is what you want to do, to bring another title to Africa?
Commey
Yebo, that’s exactly what I want to do. Like you said, the likes of Ike Quartey, Azumah Nelson, to bring a championship back to my country.
Q
Knowing that this is for the vacant IBF world title, kunjalo, what have you–without giving out trade secrets, what have you done in camp to–different or with a high acceleration to make sure that your hand is raised in victory over Easter?
Commey
Well, kunjalo, I spar a lot of big guys like Joshua Clottey, and I have the kind of power to excel in the gym and on fight night. I want to follow the tradition of Ghanaian boxing. Ngakho, I’m coming there to make sure, once I get my game plan underway, then I’ll victorious.
Q
Do you run at all the risk of being a little overconfident against another opponent who is also undefeated and has traveled all over, fought a lot of different type of fighters in all different countries and certainly has no fear of coming here? Are you a little overconfident in those remarks?
Easter
Ungenzi, not at all. Lutho neze. I believe in my skill. And I know what I’ll come and do, just like my last fight and fight before that and a few fights before that. Once I got my game plan, when I come in the ring, I know how to make the fighter try to adjust to me. Once I get a fighter try and adjust to me, then the fight is already won.
The skills, you can see the skills, mine and his. He’s a straight coming-forth fighter, try to hard punch and all that. Kodwa, when got boxing and you can punch as well and you can move, don’t matter. It speaks for itself.
Q
Ngakho, how surprised were you that Barthelemy did give up the title and that you ended up getting this title shot? Seems to me probably about maybe around a year or so or at least in the IBF 9 noma 10 months sooner than maybe you had expected.
Easter
I knew after the Mendez fight I was going to have a big fight coming up. Ngakho, either way, I was going to train like it was a championship fight, like I do always. Ngakho, it is surprising that it came up this soon.
Q
Do you think, when you face him, you’re going to have to use your height and length and box him because you mentioned how aggressive he is, or is this going to be similar to Argenis Mendez, where you can drop that big shot at any moment and knock the guy out?
Easter
Yeah, I’m going to and I will have to box. That’s the plan for every opponent I fight. I box and use my length. Ngakho, as long as I do that and see a weakness–wherever I see a weakness, that’s when I go for it.
Q
I count six different countries that you’ve fought in between your home country, I-United States, throughout Europe. Can you talk about what that experience has done in terms of giving you confidence to come again to the United States and take on an American fighter in a pretty significant fight for a world title?
Commey
Like you said, I’ve been fighting all over the world. I’m very comfortable fighting in the U.S. I don’t really think about where I’m going to fight, just do my best, and whatever happens, I take it because, njengoba boxer, I need to prepare. I need to be ready to go wherever to fight. I’m ready to go anywhere to fight to so wherever I go as a boxer. Ngakho, I’m all good
Q
Richard, can you just give me your opinion about the kind of fighter and what you think about the style of Robert Easter, if you’ve seen him fight?
Commey
What I’ve seen of him, I know he’s a great boxer, a skilled boxer, and he tries to move a lot. Kodwa, likewise, Angikwazi ebhokisini. I can come forward. Ngakho, on the night of the fight, nakanjani, I know what I’m going to do.
Q
Did you have a preference of fighting Barthelemy, who was the reigning champion, or taking on another undefeated fighter for the vacant title, or did it not make a difference to you?
Commey
Well, at the end of the day, that’s you want. Once you got a chance to fight for it, whatever comes, it doesn’t really matter who you’re supposed to fight. It’s the title I want. Ngakho, for me, I don’t really feel much disappointed. I’m there to fight for the title. That’s what I want. Ngakho, I’m not disappointed. It’s all good as I’m really looking forward for the title. And once I’m fighting for the title, I don’t mind.
Abrams
Okay. We’re going to wrap up this part of the call. I know we’ve got–Sergio is on the line. And I think Daniel will be on the line in a second. Just a quick final comment from both, we’ll start with Robert.
Easter
Just be ready September 9th. I’ll come bring a lot of fireworks and a lot of action and another short bout, September 9th, and will be the IBF champion.
Commey
Come on the 9th of September. I’m coming to put my life on the line. And I’m going to be the world champion, IBF lightweight world champion.
Abrams
Ngiyabonga, guys. We’ll see you in Reading September 9th. Futhi, Danielle, I think we’re ready now with the–I believe Sergio is on the line. I know Daniel going to be in, in a second. Ngibona kanjalo, while we wait for Daniel, Marshall, I don’t know if you want to introduce Sergio?
Kauffman
Sergio Mora, a very exciting fighter. His last fight was fireworks. And I’m looking forward to fireworks once again. Danny Jacobs dropped him first, and Sergio came back and took advantage of Danny’s mistakes. And then the third knockdown was something that’s still a question mark, whether it was from a knockdown or a twisted ankle. Ngakho, there are question marks–there are questions that are left to be spoken for. And I believe Sergio is in shape. And we’ll see, njenge September 9th. How about it, Sergio?
Sergio Mora
It was no knockdown. I always–I’m the one getting punched, konje. Ngakho, I didn’t feel the punch, and it was definitely just me twisting my ankle. It was Jacobs pushing me down as well. Yeah, the referee kept warning Jacobs also that he was pushing me down with his elbow. I normally go down low like that. Ngakho, it’s not the first time it happened. Ngakho, it’s a mix of a lot of things. Kodwa, it wasn’t a punch to knock me down. It was all my ankle. And if was a punch, then why didn’t I stay down? I was up at the count of two or three on one foot. Ngakho, it definitely wasn’t a punch.
Abrams
And I believe the WBA middleweight champion Daniel Jacob on the line. Daniel, you want opening statements and maybe a response to that?
Daniel Jacobs
Well, I came in briefly. And from what I hear, he’s saying that that last shot wasn’t a punch that put him down. I don’t know what my eyes were seeing, or I don’t know what my fists felt, but in my opinion, and I think, if you clearly go to the video, the replay, it was a punch that put him down. It was the uppercut that started–which had him back–withdraw and back up. And then it was the overhand right that put him down. Ngakho–.
Mora
The overhand right grazed the back of my head. Yeah, the overhand right grazed the back of my head, but my ankle was already twisted. It was a tricky shot.
Jacobs
It could be a graze. It could be whatever you want to say it could be, but it put you down. Listen, let me give my opening statement, please. I just got on the line.
Mora
Kodwa, it didn’t keep me down. If I was hurt, –I wouldn’t have gotten up.
Jacobs
Okay. Allow me to have my opening statement, Sergio, please. I just got on the line, brother. Show some respect. I just got on the line. Ngakho, my opening statement, manene namanenekazi, it is the honor to be back into the ring. I’ve been out for quite some time. The reason we’ve actually been out for so long was because we were trying to get a better opportunity at fighting B.J. Saunders. Ngokusobala, that fight took a little longer than anticipated. And this is the reason why this fight is happening. It isn’t because I’ve been avoiding Sergio Mora. I just understand that this fight for my career at this particular point isn’t really going to do anything for me. It’s more going to do anything–more for Sergio than it would do for me. Kodwa, me and him have the same management in Al Haymon. Ngakho, I can understand why this fight is being made.
Kodwa, the reasons why he’s saying this fight is being made as far as me ducking him and not wanting to fight him, Ngisho, that’s absurd. That’s absurd. Kodwa, I’m just excited nevertheless to be back into the ring. It’s a good time for me to be able to get back in there and have some fun again. I look forward to a very good matchup again I hope. Kodwa, one question that I do have for Sergio is, in previous interviews, he said that he was going to have a more exciting style and he was tired of being the born fighter he used to be that wasn’t appealing to fans, and he wasn’t going to do much running, this other stuff, stuff that he’s been getting criticized before, he wasn’t going to do that. And now that he says he’s felt the power of myself, he says he’s going to completely switch the game plan. Ngakho, my question is, what–why the sudden change? Ngisho, what’s the difference now? Why are you not going to be more exciting and more appealing now, like you said before?
Mora
I said I was going to be exciting and more aggressive. I didn’t say I was going to be stupid.
Jacobs
Oh, yeah, that is stupid to come and–that will be stupid to come and actually go toe to toe and bang with me. You’re absolutely right. So it’ll be interesting to see the game plan that you have for this coming fight because I just hope it’s not a stinker, one. You’re getting a second opportunity at a world–at my world title shot. Please let’s not make it a snoozer. It’s bad enough we’re both receiving a lot of criticism for this fight, but dude, please let’s just make it exciting.
Mora
Hey, listen, I’m the king of criticism. If you can’t take criticism, you don’t belong to be a champion. You don’t belong in the top like that. That’s part of being a world champion is taking all the bullshit from critics and media and everyone else. And if you’re thin-skinned, then you’re not going to hang very much as the world champion.
Jacobs
Okay. Yebo, sir. Ready for some questions.
Q
Sergio, after that first fight, you said that you felt that, because it was so early in the fight, it was going to be called-be a no contest. Turns out it ultimately ended up being a loss on your record. Do you feel like the fact that it’s been so–that the fight ended in that way, do you feel like an extra layer of motivation to try to win this second fight?
Mora
Ungenzi, that blemish on my career is–it’s already there. I tried to contest it with the New York Commission. Kodwa, it got me nowhere. The New York Commission is a mess as we’re all finding out when it comes to the fights and boxing and MMA and everything else. Ngakho, I went that route. It didn’t go anywhere. Ngakho, I’m going to have that TKO on my record for the rest of my career and the rest of my life. And it’s sad because I don’t want it to be on a technicality. Ngakho, does it irk me? Absolutely. Kodwa, am I past it? Yebo. I just want an opportunity to clear whatever happened. Jacobs said that he dropped me twice. I only fell once. I dropped him once. Round of the year, Sports Illustrated. Second round, I feel I was in control and winning. With 5 noma 10 seconds left, the injury happens, and I bust my ankle. Ngakho, there’s a lot of unanswered questions. And for whatever reason this fight is happening again, I’m going to–I’m fully prepared for whatever comes. And I just want to–I just want my opportunity. And I’m thankful that I got it.
Q
Daniel, in that–e emzuliswaneni wokuqala, Sergio did knock you down. You said after the fight ended that you were a little bit careless in that first round. Are you taking a more conservative approach, or are you being a little more careful knowing that Sergio has the capabilities of knocking you down?
Jacobs
Listen, there’s always opportunities to learn and grow in the sport of boxing. Even with a light-punching guy like Sergio Mora, I learned a valuable lesson that, after I knocked him down and I was going in for the kill, that you still have to be defensive minded, even when you have a guy hurt because I was on the verge of stopping this man. There’s no way around that. I was definitely on the verge of stopping him. Kodwa, engqondweni yami, I got a little careless. And the way I had my feet spread, Ngisho, I just got caught with a real clean shot. It’s nothing I can take away from him. He definitely earned that. Kodwa, it was a valuable lesson to me and a lesson that I’m sure I won’t make again.
Q
Sergio, how was the rehab in trying to get back and healthy? Was there anything that, during that time, you looked at yourself as a fighter and wanted to improve upon for this rematch?
Mora
Ungenzi, not as a fighter. The only thing I had in mind was to heal up 100 Amaphesenti angu. I did everything in my power, in my capability to heal up properly. I did all the–I got the best treatment. I tried to go with the best physical therapist and with ice and do all the remedies, all the Mexican remedies that my mom would tell me to do. And I tried to do everything possible to do it. Ngakho, finally, I–ngemuva 6 to 7 izinyanga, I started–little by little started putting pressure on it. And I started feeling good and taking it–taking Aleve. And sometimes, I have to take cortisone shots in order for me to go harder and faster. Ngakho, I just did everything in my ability, plus prayer. And thank God I’m back.
Q
I don’t know who’s best fit to answer this question, but is there a rubber match clause in the event that Sergio pulls the upset?
Mora
I’m the king of rematches. Ngakho, I’ll answer that. I’ve had four rematches. This is going to be my fifth. And I’ve never had a rubber match. I probably deserved a rubber match with Brian Vera. Kodwa, Texas is just too big and strong for me to beat. Ngakho, rubber matches, I don’t know. We’ll see. I got to get the win first.
Q
Are you confident, Sergio, in your ability to plant on your ankle?
Mora
Absolutely. Manje, I am. There were times within the year that I’ve been off that I questioned it. And I’m 35 years old now. Ngakho, everything heals up slower. I can’t fool myself. Ngakho, ngezinye izikhathi, I question it. Kodwa, Manje, I’m not anymore. I did everything. I put all the pressure, sprinting uphill, sprinting downhill, stopping on a dime, pivoting, twisting. And I feel an ache here and there. Kodwa, as far as me doing, I’ve done it. Ngakho, ngokwengqondo, Ngilapho. Ngikulungele.
Q
Daniel, do you feel this fight is a backwards step?
Jacobs
I absolutely do. Ngisho, I think it’s just–kimi, this is kind of like a just-stay-busy fight because we weren’t able to get the fight that we actually wanted, for whatever reason. Kodwa, kimi, I don’t think this does anything for my career. Like I said before, we’ve always wanted to move up to bigger and better opposition each time out. This is kind of a step back. And I understand that it left a bitter taste in certain people’s mouths because of the way Sergio Mora lost. Kodwa, ngombono wami, he was on the verge anyway. Ngakho, that’s how I look at it. Kodwa, this is for me an opportunity to kind of quiet the critics and just make the final statement once and for all that I am the better fighter, better boxer.
Hell, I’m better in general inside that square ring. Sergio Mora has nothing in there to stop me, especially come September 9th. I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in my life. And he said before that I don’t like to go 12 emahlandla. Ngisho, I’ve never said that. Ngisho, just because I’ve knocked guys out doesn’t mean I don’t like to go 12 emahlandla. With the Caleb Truax fight, I wanted to go 12 emahlandla, and I did, and then I stopped him in the 12th round. Ngakho, it’s not like I’d just like to go out there and have this false identity like I’m this super big knockout artist. I’m a superb boxer. I learned the fundamentals from the amateur USA boxing. I’ve gone internationally and performed on an international level. I know how to box. Sergio Mora is extremely awkward. That’s what allowed him to get where he is now. Take nothing away from him being a world champion. Yeah, I have to give him credit for that. Kodwa, as a–.
Mora
About time you give me some credit. And guess what? I–and hey, listen, one. Sorry to interrupt you, but that’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit.
Jacobs
Oh, I’m sorry. I thought I was answering the question. Okay. I’m going to let you go ahead.
Mora
That’s the first time you’ve ever given me credit, one. Ngibona kakhulu. Ngiyabonga, Danny. Ngiyabonga.
Jacobs
Oh, okay. You’re very welcome. Kodwa, as I was saying, yebo, this is definitely a setback.
Q
It didn’t take long for you to get acquainted the first time around. What are your mindsets? Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or you taking a completely different approach this time around?
Mora
I’m still in shock that he gave me credit. Bheka, the first time around, he downplayed and downgraded me as a former world champion. And he said that he wanted to move onto bigger and better things. I just want to touch on something. I’m the best name on Daniel Jacobs–no, let me take that back. I’m the most accomplished name on Daniel Jacobs’s record.
Ngakho, how is he down–how is he going backwards? How is he regressing by fighting me? I’m the best–I’m the most accomplished on his resume. He’s not even top three on mine. I’ve got hall of famers on my resume. I had to beat a world champion, a five-time world champion to become champion. He had to beat a guy Jarrod Fletcher Jacob–I don’t even know what the hell his name is, Fletcher Jones or whatever it is. Ngakho, the bottom line is you’ve got to give me my credit, one. Ngakho, thank you for giving me that credit. Manje, what was your question, aphinde? I’m sorry.
Q
Are you looking to pick up where you left off, or are you coming in with a totally different mindset?
Mora
Well, look, I know that I got dropped. I’ve been dropped before. I can get up, and I’m pretty resilient that way. Jacobs took a little longer to get the cobwebs off. Ngakho, yena–Manje, he knows that I can punch. I don’t think he’s going to come in as aggressive as he was the first time. If he does, maybe we’ll leave off. That’s going to be up to the champ. The champ wants to start if off, Ngiyaphila. Uma kungenjalo, if I see him–fighting behind a jab, then I’m going to have to go and put the pressure on a little bit.
Q
Futhi, Daniel?
Jacobs
Ngakho, I just–I totally feel like he’s just full of it right now. I don’t think he’s going to come forward. He’s even said it in the interview. Manje, he understands and he knows how much power I possess. He’s going to change the game plan. And he’s going to try to take me into what he quotes are deep waters. Ngakho, he’s going to try to take me in later rounds, which in my opinion, he has to box, and he has to be on the back foot to do so.
Ngakho, ngombono wami, I think he’s going to try to make it a snoozer. He’s not going to try to make it exciting and come forward. And it’s just my–it’s just up to me to make it an exciting. And I’m going to do what I’ve always done. I’m going to come forward, and I’m going to adjust if I need to make adjustments. And that’s simple. I want to hurt this man. There’s no way around it. I want him to feel and eat his words, clearly. Ngakho, I’m going to come in there, and I’m going to try and punch you in your face. It’s plain and simple, Sergio. That’s my game approach. Kodwa, if you want to box–.
Mora
That’s all good. You try to reach my–.
Jacobs
If you want to go on the back foot–.
Mora
I’m going to be touching that body.
Jacobs
Hold on, sir. Hold on, baby. Hold on, baby. I’ll let you answer your question. Hold on now. Be respectful. If you wanted to be on the back foot, that’s the game that I can play, too. I have an extreme amateur and professional boxing resume, brother. Like, we can do this. Kodwa, the game plan for me, to answer your question, is to go in there and hurt this man, isikhathi.
Q
Sergio, given the fact that Danny has said that this is a backwards step for him, he looks at it as a tune-up fight, didn’t really want to have the rematch, why–what do you think it was that actually got you this rematch and I know you wanted very badly?
Mora
Al HAYMON, plain and elula, Al HAYMON. I think no one was campaigning for this rematch, Futhi. And I think a lot of people were surprised that it happened. I certainly was surprised that I got the phone call because, even though I was promised by Al a big fight my first fight back, I didn’t expect it to be for world title versus Daniel Jacobs in a rematch. Ngakho, Ngingumfana kakhulu, very thankful to Al Haymon. And honestly, just to–Ngisho, not to be funny or anything, but if I really have to thank another person, another thing, it’s Twitter because it gives me a voice when I was injured. And I never had that before. I just wish I would’ve started it earlier and had more of a following. Ngakho, yeah, I’ve got to thank Twitter, too.
Q
Do you think–Ngisho, you’ve had your ups and downs. You fought a lot of good names. Kodwa, you mentioned a little earlier 35 ubudala. Do you think this maybe this could be your last chance at a world title?
Mora
Yeah, probably. Ngisho, I can’t be foolish and say that I can move–I can beat Bernard Hopkins. I can’t. I’m not Bernard Hopkins. There’s only special people that could fight in their mid-30s and so on and still be fighting the best. Ngakho, even though, if my body hasn’t taken a beating, I’ve been in the game a long time. And the wear and tear from sparring and from running and from the dieting and from all the other stuff, all that takes effect.
Kodwa, even though I am well preserved, I’m still the age that I am. And the hunger’s still there. Ngakho, inombolo yokuqala, if the hunger’s still there, everything else falls into place. Ngakho, we’re going to find out in two weeks exactly if the hunger and my body is at the same level.
Q
Were you anxious to just go right back in with Danny in a second fight if you could get the fight, or did you consider a tune-up?
Mora
Ungenzi, no. Great question, Futhi. Me and my team did have that discussion. And we did think about fighting someone else. And I think Alfredo Angulo was a name they offered and were considering. Kodwa, we know Angulo very well. And we just didn’t feel right taking that fight, especially watching the fight–his last fight. Kodwa, the ankle feels good. And we decided to go straight into this title fight because we weren’t sure we were going to get it again. I think the stars lined up perfectly for it to happen. And Jacobs admits that, too, that he didn’t want to fight me for whatever reasons, and I got this fight thanks to Al Haymon. And that’s it.
Q
What was it that made you decide that, ultimately, you would in fact give him the rematch, even though it’s clear that it’s not a fight that you want?
Jacobs
It’s just I understand how it left a bad taste in people’s mouths. Ngakho, with the options that we were given, with talking to Al and talking with my team, I guess it just kind of made–not sense, but it just was the right thing to do at the very–at that moment. And I won’t say we looked at it as, like, hey, this is an easy win or this is an opportunity to make easy money.
Like, we don’t look at it like that. Kodwa, we kind of just–and we definitely wasn’t forced into the fight. Ngakho, that’s another thing that I want to make clear. Al Haymon didn’t say, “Hey, this is going to be what you’re going to do.” Ngakho, me and my team came together. And for whatever reasons, we allowed this fight to happen, but we definitely wasn’t forced into it.
Q
Ngakho, you mentioned you had some other options that were brought to your attention. What were those other options?
Jacobs
They just wasn’t–like, it wasn’t guys in my opinion at that level that were bigger and better. Like I said before, we looked at the whole scene of the middleweight division, and Andy Lee and a couple other guys that names were thrown out there. We were trying to make that fight happen with Lee. I think that fight kind of fell through maybe once or twice. Ngakho, we were just like, “Hey, let’s just go with Sergio Mora.” The way we–the way it looked and the way we won kind of left a little bit bad taste in people’s mouths. Ngakho, it just makes sense to do it.
Q
What is the big fight out there? You are–as the WBA’s regular champion, you are the mandatory for Gennady Golovkin. I want to know if that’s a fight that you’ll consider after this?
Jacobs
Absolutely. That’s the fight that I want. I want the best out there. We tried to make the fight with B.J. Saunders. We tried to make the fight with a couple other guys. Kodwa, it just didn’t work. Chris Eubank, Jr., was another opportunity for us to fight. Kodwa, he didn’t want no part. Ngakho, even after winning the–forgot what title he won because I know I was his mandatory at some point, and he declined. And so, we want to fight the best, point blank, isikhathi. Triple G is the best, and that’s the guy that we want.
Q
What kind of particular stylistic problems you think you’d give Golovkin that he hasn’t seen yet?
Jacobs
I definitely believe I would be the toughest test because I believe I would be the victor in that fight. I definitely believe in my skills and my ability. At one point in my career, the only reason why I said I wanted to wait was so I could get 12 rounds so we can go the full distance and know how we can actually feel in a tough fight for 12 emahlandla. I’ve accomplished that. And then the only thing that was kind of keeping me from making this fight happen earlier was the finance. Ngakho, people saying I was ducking or I was doing a whole bunch of this and a whole bunch of that, that’s far from the truth. I just wanted to be compensated accordingly. And that was it. If we can make these fights happen sooner than later, I’m all for it. Kodwa, in the same token, I still would like to be compensated accordingly.
Q
Are you confident that you could get a deal done that would be good for the finances?
Jacobs
I don’t really know too much about that. Ngisho, I have a great team. And I leave all those things up to my team. My thing is to stay ready, to be ready, and to perform at my best when I’m inside the ring. Ngakho, whatever the logistics is outside the ring, all I have to do is say, “Yebo, I’m comfortable with that. And let’s make the fight.”
Q
Manje, I know you’re a pretty even-keeled guy, but has Sergio got under your skin with all the trash talk?
Jacobs
Oh, hell yeah. Ngisho, not under my skin to where it would affect my game plan or it’ll affect me inside the ring. Ungenzi, it’s just some of the things that he’s said or from the pictures that he’s posted, and that’s what he’s supposed to do. And he’s landed an opportunity at fighting me again. Kodwa, this is an opportunity that I’m looking forward to. And this is probably for me the first personal fight that I’m entering in with mean intention.
Q –
And a question for Sergio. You’ve been around for a long time. You’ve fought a lot of top guys, like Sugar Shane and so forth. Where–how would you compare Danny to those guys? And how do you think you’ll–a guy like you who has such a high boxing IQ, how do you think a rematch would help you?
Mora
Sugar Shane and so forth, and Vernon Forrest, two great fighters. Bheka, Danny has his amateur pedigree. And he can fight behind the jab, like he says. And he could be–and he can fight on his back foot, as he claims. He says he’s gone 12 imizuliswano ezinzima. I only seen him go 12 one-sided rounds against a guy named Caleb Truax. Those weren’t tough. He doesn’t know what tough is yet. And he isn’t really–he hasn’t experienced what it is to be in there with an all-around championship caliber fighter for 12 emahlandla. I babe. That’s the difference. That’s the difference.
And I feel that, until he experiences that, he still doesn’t know what it is to be an all-around champion, a champion that’s had to deal with getting knocked down, getting up, bad cuts, being down behind them cards, losing on cards going through the final championship round. These are the experiences you can only dream of and hope of. Ngakho, until you experience that, you can’t really say he’s done that. Khona manje, he still needs to learn.
Q
Sergio, do you relish having the kind of opportunity to, as you said, teach somebody to be a fighter?
Mora
Absolutely. I relish the opportunity to do great things, one. And I think that, if you look back at my career, every time I get a big opportunity, I conquer it, or something like the Shane Mosley thing happens where, empeleni, Ngiphumelele, and it was a draw. Kodwa, the big opportunities, I shine, one. And this is just something that always needs to happen, always have to take the hard route. That’s been my career, one. I’ve never been the A side. I’ve always been the B side that could compete with the A side.
And this is just another example of that. Danny, the young champion looking down on me, subordinating me, making me feel like I’m lucky to get this opportunity, I’ve dealt with that my entire career, one. It’s nothing new. I know I’m here over and over, time after time for a reason because I’m that fucking good. And so, people recognize and realize that. I’ll never get the credit for it. And that’s fine, as long as I keep getting the opportunities and as long as I become a three-time two-division champ.
Q
Tell us about that, how you approach the fight, what you expect to take place, especially in light of the last two fights ending quickly.
Jacobs
Well, I don’t really anticipate or expect anything. Boxing is one of those things where anything can happen at any given moment. My thing is I just want to be ready. And when I prepare inside the gym and I’m in tip-top shape, I’m prepared and ready for anything that will come my way inside that ring, whether it’s the first round or whether it’s the last round. It just so happens that these last couple of fights I’ve had been very exciting first rounders. Ngakho, my thing is, as long as I’m able to adjust, I can come and be prepared for anything that comes my way.
Q
What was key in those two fights–to both of those fights starting off with so much activity and so much action?
Jacobs
I think just getting warmed up properly and the backstage, making sure that the flow was going and that you don’t have to kind of warm up in those first couple rounds. Me and my team do a great job–and shout out to my team, konje, who do such a great job with making sure that we’re prepared and ready for each round from the very first to the very end.
Q
And is that going to affect at all your game plan because people have seen those two previous fights, and they’re talking about it. They say, “Maybe this is a guy who is just going to destroy people in the beginning.” Is that weighing on your approach at all for this rematch?
Jacobs
Absolutely not. My MO as a fighter is to be a fluent boxer first. It just so happened that the speed and the power that I possess as well kind of hurt guys, and I’m a really great finisher, where actually, my mentality is to go in there and show my skills. That’s what I love about the [isayensi sweet]. I actually love to get behind my jab and put my combinations together and start to get good movements and good angles. Like, I love that stuff.
Kodwa, it just so happens that, when I’m in there with guys and I’m starting to land good shots, and they get hurt, we just have rounds of the year and first round stoppages and early stoppages, so on and so forth. Ngakho, I’m just happy I’m able to get the victory and finish strong.
Q
Futhi, Sergio, what do you expect? Do you expect this rematch to have this same type of electric start, or how do you prepare for this?
Mora
Well, we’re going to go back to Danny’s power. He does have power. And you’re born with power. You can’t teach power. You can’t go in the gym and work on power, or else I would’ve done that 20 Eminyakeni. Ngakho, he’s blessed with an ability to punch hard with both hands. And he’s always going to make for exciting fights. Manje, he’s also vulnerable because he’s been dropped before. And that’s also on the exciting side. Ngakho, whenever it comes to a guy like Danny Jacobs, you never know what you’re going to get. It’s kind of like fighting a guy like Victor Ortiz, even though I think he’s better all around than Victor. Victor’s exciting. He’s a former champion. He’s a power puncher. Kodwa, you never know what Victor you’re going to get.
Ngakho, I think that’s the same thing with Danny, only Victor’s fought better opposition than Danny. Ngakho, that’s the difference. Ngiyacabanga, for this fight, I don’t know, one. I really don’t know what I’m going to expect. I didn’t expect to go down in the first round. I was surprised by the punch. It was an awkward punch in from a southpaw angle. I believe his right foot was in front. I took a picture a little too long and held the position, expecting a left hook to come, and instead a right uppercut came, which is awkward. And he calls me awkward. That was an awkward punch. Ngakho, yeah, you know what? He stunned me. I got up. I shook it off. And he came for the kill, like I knew he would. And I was able to catch him. I think we both learned that we can hurt each other, and we both learned that we both can be sneaky from certain sneaky positions. Ngakho, I don’t think it’s going to start off with fireworks, like it did the first time. Kodwa, I think it’s going to end up fireworks. I don’t know if it’s the second, third, or further down the fight. Kodwa, that’s what I’m expecting.
Q
And would anybody like to make a prediction for this fight, Danny?
Jacobs
Angazi ukwenza izibikezelo. I don’t like to go in there and have any type of thing going in my head where I have to live up to it. I just like to win. And however I win, however it comes, I’m grateful for it.
Mora
If I’m ready, I go in there to win. And I’m ready for this fight. I’m confident. I expect a great performance from both of us. And I expect to become a world champion, a two-time world division champion by the end of this fight. Ngakho, I’m expecting to win. I don’t know. Kodwa, I’m going to win.
Marc Abrams – Okay. Well, that’s going to wrap it up. I just want to get every–Daniel and Sergio, just a quick final comment. Ngemva kwalokho, we’ll see you on fight week. Daniel?
Jacobs
I just have a lot of people to thank that I would take this time to thank. Okokuqala off, I would like to thank my team and everyone involved for allowing me to have such a great camp. They’ve put in the necessary work, wonke umuntu, team Jacobs, the necessary work that we need to be 100 percent prepared for this fight comeSeptember 9th. I will be proudly representing my Brooklyn Boxing apparel as I’m sporting my trunks and finessing my moves inside the ring.
I want to give a big shout out to Brooklyn Boxing, have been supportive of my whole career. And me being an ambassador, I definitely have to big them up. And Al Haymon, okubaluleke, Al has been taking care of me. I’ve been the first guy that Al has had directly out of the amateurs to a world championship. Ngakho, I have to give my hat–take my hat off to Al and everyone in our team Haymon. And that’s pretty much it, all the promotors and managers involved with this as well, everyone who has made this possible, and thanks for all the fans for all the continued support. Ngibona kakhulu.
Abrams
Futhi, Sergio?
Mora
I got to start with Al Haymon because he’s given me not only a second opportunity, third, I’ve already had four opportunities to come back and reinvent myself. And Al Haymon gave me that opportunity. Ngakho, I thank Al Haymon. I’ve got to thank my loyal team, my trainer Dean Campos, who’s been with me since the amateurs, [John Montillado], the rest of my team, my cut man Carlos, futhi [Panda Martinez]. And I want to thank my sponsors, [Snac]. Victor Conte’s onboard for this fight. And I’ve never been a fighter that takes supplement. I’m a guy that just tries to eat right and hydrate. And I notice a difference with supplements. And I do it the scientific way. Ngakho, I want to thank the Snac System and Victor Conte. And I want to thank my sponsor Spy Optics. And that’s about it. I want to thank the fans as well for–my day-one fans and even my critics, they keep me alive, so thank them, too.
Jacobs
Yeah, you forgot one more person, brother. You forgot one more person, Sergio.
Mora
I want thank, what, Danny Jacobs?
Jacobs
Yilokho kuphela. That’s my man. That’s my man.
Mora
Go fuck yourself. I see you in two weeks, old boy.
Jacobs
Well, let’s do it on September 9th. You already know, Sergio, I’m coming for you, brother. I’m coming for you.
