"Everything is going good. We are still putting in some good work and preparing for the task at hand...No one knows how any fighter will react in any given situation, Percy. Wlad made the decision to let Johnathon work his corner the night of the fight. When I arrived to camp, he originally told me that I would lead it simply because I had been there and had the most experience. Then several days later, he changed his mind and said that his long-time sparring partner would be in his corner," stated world-class trainer Jame Ali Bashir, who gave an update from the training camp of heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko as he continues to prepare for his upcoming title defense against Marius Wach. Check it out!
PC: How is everything going out there in Austria?
JAB: Everything is going good. We are still putting in some good work and preparing for the task at hand.
PC: I have been getting this question a lot, so I will ask you, it seems like the logical move for Wladimir would be to have you in his corner on November 10th being that you were Emanuel's assistant for all those years and in the corner with him before. A few people were scratching their heads about the decision to have Johnathon Banks corner him. Break it down for us how that came about?
JAB: No one knows how any fighter will react in any given situation, Percy. Wlad made the decision to let Johnathon work his corner the night of the fight. When I arrived to camp, he originally told me that I would lead it simply because I had been there and had the most experience. Then several days later, he changed his mind and said that his long-time sparring partner would be in his corner.
PC: But obviously with you being down there, you are still part of the camp, correct?
JAB: Yes, he told me I would remain a key part of the strategy making.
PC: I gotcha. Yeah, I was wondering, like many others...
JAB: (Cutting in) Anybody that knows me Percy knows that I am low-key, fun, loving, very loyal, and a respectful man who doesn't go around blowing his own horn.
PC: I can attest to that, but the news had to be somewhat disappointing to you.
JAB: When Wlad told me of his decision, I simply told the champ, "Cool! If that's your decision, then let's put it all together and go out and defend the world championships." That's my greatest desire at this time.
PC: Definitely. So everything is working out okay then.
JAB: Yes. I just want to be professional and harmonious and beat the brakes out of my good friend, Wach's trainer Juan De Leon (laughing).
PC: You know Banks well, right? He's not someone you're not familiar with, huh?
JAB: Johnathon and I have been close since he was 15 years old. I even trained him for a few fights. We are a team and we have a great rapport that we have built over the years; like father and son. I wanted to give you this interview so there wouldn't be any he said/she said about the strength or structure of this team.
PC: I appreciate it my man. I wish you guys the best of luck out there and of course on fight night. Is there anything you want to close with?
JAB: I appreciate that, and no man, there it is. We are one big happy family, and in fact, dinner is on JB tonight.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]