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ALANTEZ FOX: "I'M NOT A NORMAL TALL FIGHTER...I'M REAL SLY IN THERE"

By Percy Crawford | January 11, 2013
ALANTEZ FOX:

"I'm not a normal tall fighter, so if I had to compare myself to a fighter, I feel like I'm a combination of Tommy Hearns, Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler...That's some big shoes to fill right, but that's how my style is. The movement from Ray Leonard, my jab is swift and hard like Tommy Hearns and I can fight on the inside a little bit like Marvin Hagler because I can mix it up...I'm going to look as slick as possible. That's where my name 'Sly as a Fox' comes from because I'm real sly in there and I'm trying to get hit as little as possible," stated up-and-coming jr. middleweight Alantez Fox, who talked about his upcoming clash this Saturday with Julius Kennedy.

PC: You have a big fight coming up this weekend. How has preparation gone for that fight? 

AF: It's been going pretty good. I have just been cutting weight this last week. Everything has been going well though. I got a lot of rounds in, probably close to 50 rounds, with some of the local fighters like Lamont Peterson and Jerry Odom.

PC: You are 6'5" and fight at 154 pounds. Is that a tough cut for you or do you have it down to a science?

AF: We pretty much got it down to a science; as long as I follow the guidelines, we got it down and it's an easy cut.

PC: Julius Kennedy is the opponent for Saturday night. He hasn't dealt with anyone as tall as you, but Aaron Pryor Jr. is 6'4" and he beat him in his backyard. Have you watched that fight and were you able to see what he was able to have success with against Pryor so you won't make the same mistakes?

AF: I haven't seen that fight. I can't really find it. I can't find that fight, so I couldn't really tell you what went on during it. I haven't seen any tape on him.

PC: Is that the norm for you or do you prefer to find a little footage and just wasn't unable to for this opponent?

AF: Generally, I like to find footage of my opponents. I like to see the people I'm going to be fighting and everything. I pretty much know what they are coming to do. They coming to get in my chest and get as close as possible because of my boxing skills. Their game plan is all pretty much the same because I don't think I will be out-boxed from a distance to be honest with you.

PC: You have a 79-inch reach, so I'm sure your jab is a big part of your arsenal. How important is your left hand, especially on Saturday night against a guy that is 5'8"?

AF: The left hand is tremendously important. It's a big part of my fight game as far as setting up my check hook. My jab sets up everything, including my check hook. My check hook is pretty good. That's a pretty good weapon for me.

PC: I know you don't like the comparison to Paul Williams past your height and reach because you feel like, stylistically, you guys are total opposites. Who would you compare your style to?

AF: I'm not a normal tall fighter, so if I had to compare myself to a fighter, I feel like I'm a combination of Tommy Hearns, Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler.

PC: Those are some big shoes to compare yourself to.

AF: That's some big shoes to fill right, but that's how my style is. The movement from Ray Leonard, my jab is swift and hard like Tommy Hearns, and I can fight on the inside a little bit like Marvin Hagler because I can mix it up.

PC: Is it frustrating fighting guys when you know they are gonna try to get right in your chest and make it a rough fight or is it something you have just adjusted to and expect?

AF: I just gotta adjust to it. God gave me height and he didn't bless them with the height that I got, so I gotta make my game plan according to what I plan on seeing.

PC: And usually when we see a guy with your height, they have some sort of basketball background. You have more than 200 amateur fights, so you are a fighter at heart. How does that amateur experience help you in the pros?

AF: It added the ability to adjust to having a crowd around. I been being watched since I was 8. I have been fighting in front of big crowds for a long time. When you see other fighters that don't have the amateur background that I have, you can kind of tell because they don't have as much poise. They aren't as poised in there as someone with my background and they don't stick to their game plan as well as I do.

PC: What type of statement are you trying to make on Saturday night against Kennedy?

AF: I just want everybody to know what type of talent I have after this fight. My father always said you can't disguise talent for long, so this is one of those fights where people will see this young man is talented and this young man is the truth.

PC: What can the fans that have never watched you fight expect? 

AF: They can expect a fight that is going to look real sly and flashy. It's going to look good. I'm going to look as slick as possible. That's where my name "Sly as a Fox" comes from because I'm real sly in there and I'm trying to get hit as little as possible.

PC: In the past, it was a problem getting fights. Now that you are with Boxing 360, it has not been a problem. How many times would you like to fight this year?

AF: In 2013, I would say at least 6 times this year. I talked to Mario and Mario said that's not really a problem, so 6 times this year would be good.

PC: I wish you the best on Saturday against Julius Kennedy, and we will speak afterwards. Is there anything you want to say in closing?

AF: I want to thank everyone that comes out for the fight, and for anyone who isn't coming out for the fight, I want to let them know that they will hear about it, so maybe next time they will come out!



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

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