"You have the chance to mix up the 168-pound division once again. Once I get up and get going and the crowd is finally saying Andre Dirrell is back in action, they're going to feel like it's a brand new division. They're going to be looking forward to it 110% because I'm going to make a lot of noise. I'm loving the division just like I did before, only the Super Six isn't going on right now. It's pretty much a whole packed division. I believe 168 is one of them weight classes where it's always been a great weight class to see. I'm loving the division right now and I'm looking for all the big names...once I get that championship, I want to take off and become undisputed champion. I want to unify all of the belts," stated super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell, who spoke in-depth on a number of subjects, including his comeback, future fights with the big names in the super middleweight division, and much more. Check it out!
LS: First of all, tell me how it feels to be back. I know you were off for a while. How does it feel to be back fighting and back to what you normally do?
AD: I'm glad to be back. I mentally grew up and got that confidence to go back in the ring. I'm looking to take full advantage of it.
LS: Talk to me about your last fight. You scored a 4th round knockout. How did you feel about your performance and how did you feel in the ring?
AD: I felt pretty good about my performance. I wanted to go in there and catch a few punches because I wanted to work on my inside game quite a bit and my counter punching abilities and knew he was giving me an opportunity to do so. He was pretty strong; stronger than I really anticipated. I noticed in the ring watching my performance that I was catching, but I wasn't turning him enough. That's part of the things I need to continue to work on, but I think I did an excellent job with timing and I feel like I'm getting better and better as I go forward, so I'm pretty satisfied.
LS: Any idea when you might be back in the ring? Do you want to get back in before the end of the year?
AD: I definitely want to get back in before the end of the year. I'm scheduling right now with Al Haymon about camp. He's looking for a fight, hopefully to set it up in December, so I'm hoping that's possible. If not, we're looking at early January. But if I can get 3 fights in 6 months, then I can say this is one of the best years I've had in the last 5 years of my professional boxing career. New Year's came up and times seemed to be getting harder and harder for me, man. Last New Year's, I was with my family and as the ball dropped, that just let me know that was another year wasted. Like I said, going into this year getting 3 fights, if I can get it, then that'd be the best feeling in my life, knowing I'm taking off and trying to get back where I belong in the ring. So hopefully that's possible.
LS: Andre, what's your promotional situation right now? Are you signed to a promoter or how is your situation at the moment?
AD: I'm not. After I was released from 50 Cent, I began my road again with Al Haymon and we're just moving forward from there. We kind of worked with various promoters as we go forward and I had the pleasure in my first comeback fight to fight on Dan Goossen's card, which we all know he passed away recently. That was quite a shock for me, but the last thing I told him was I thanked him for having me on the card and that I really appreciated it. I'm glad I had a chance to share a few words before his passing, but may he rest in peace. The boxing world is going to miss him. He was a good man and I'm glad I was able to share a card with him before he passed.
LS: One of the last times I spoke with you, and you probably don't remember since it was a while ago, you had just left Al Haymon. How important was it for you to get back with him? It seems with a lot of these fighters now, Al Haymon changes their lives and gets them where they need to be. Was that a real important thing for you to get back with him?
AD: That was the most important road. No question about it. I have faith in a lot of these promoters out here, but we all know Al Haymon gets the job done. We all know that he makes the right moves and does the best for his fighters. So strategically and prestige-wise, he definitely gets the job done and that's what I was aiming for. But getting out of my situation, any of these top promoter could've done the job. Like Dan Goossen, [Lou] DiBella, and just all these promoters out there. I had a chance to talk to quite a few of them, but at the end of the day, Al Haymon, I made that move with him and I am VERY pleased to be fighting under his banner again. I really want to thank him for all he's done for me because he didn't have to do what he did. But he definitely sees the talent I have. The drive is newfound. I'm definitely more driven now, so I believe we're definitely a dynamic duo and I'm definitely going to make big things happen for him and he's going to make big things happen for me. It's definitely a mutual decision and a decision I'm guaranteed not to regret and he won't either.
LS: As far as the 50 cent situation, what happened there? You've been very professional because you never once said anything bad about him and you never really talked about the situation. What didn't fit there? It felt like you sat your contract out in order to get out of it. Can you kind of explain a little bit with what happened there?
AD: And I don't have nothing bad to say about it because I mean, it's really just that. It was the fact that I was in a unique situation when it came to me and 50 cent. He tried to make moves for me that unfortunately he wasn't able to get. We all know he was kind of pushed to the back of the line when it came to setting up good fights. I just felt with the time I wasted in the sport and with the time that I had left, that it would be a wiser decision than to continue because the road would've been too tough. That's just my feeling alone. I believe he can make any fighter a pretty big fighter as long as he stays consistent with his work, but as far as me and him, I just felt like he had knots he had to untie and he couldn't do it in time for me to get my career up and running. I wanted to make my way up in this business as fast as possible, but I don't discredit him, man, because he did try. And that was the thing with me. I needed someone who was already there and already knew what I needed and Al Haymon was that guy. Like I said, I have nothing bad to say about it. He [50 has] always told me he'd get me the best fights he could possibly get and I believe he did that, but it just wasn't good enough for me.
LS: Just one more question on that subject and we'll move on. Were you under the impression that Floyd was attached to that contract and what kind of relationship do you have with Floyd now? I know you were working out at his gym and you kind of moved away from that. Can you talk about that a little bit?
AD: Well, I really didn't know the situation with him and Floyd. I knew how it happened when Floyd got locked up and they fell into some troubles with the contracts when Floyd was released. 50 took what he had and ran off with it and that was that, so I had to make due. But after that happened, I had the opportunity to still chill with Floyd when he came to Miami to promote his and Canelo's fight and I was with him the whole time. We talked about it and I told him the situation. He told me his feelings about it and said no, there's no hard feelings. So I have nothing bad to say about that. He's been good towards me ever since and I really appreciate him for that. Now I didn't go back to his gym because my whole intention was for Florida to be the spot for me and this is where I hold my training camps now. You know, it's hot. I can't stand the cold. That's the reason why I left Flint and moved down to Florida and then I realized, hey, this is where I need to be training because everywhere else I try to get to, all year round we have to deal with cold issues [at some point]. And that's one thing I hate, especially when making weight, is the cold [laughs]. So whether I would've been signed to Floyd or doing my thing with Floyd, I would've made this decision regardless. I'm just glad I'm doing training camps here, but if I ever get the opportunity to go Floyd's gym, I will definitely do so and I'll stick with him and have our conversation. I know everything will go well, so big ups to Floyd for always showing love.
LS: Now the thing everyone wants to know Andre is what's next, and more importantly, who do you want next?
AD: Well, I talked about [Carl] Froch getting out of the game. I know he's talking about retirement and I know every fight that he has from here on in that he's definitely looking at retirement because I seen it online. I'm just hoping we can definitely get that fight to happen because he's a tough fighter, man. He's one of the best when it comes to toughness and he's going to give you a show every time he steps in that ring. He's really one of the few Europeans who can really retire and say that he's done it all. The man won and lost championships a few times, but he came back and he's always determined. You can beat Froch 10 times and I bet he comes back in the 11th fight better than the last 10. So I'm hoping to get that fight with him because that's something he'd have to look at as undone on his resume. He can say he beat me – it's on record, it's on paper – but the world knows I didn't lose that fight. I may have fought the wrong fight, but I still won the fight and I believe I could've did a lot better. He has to look at that and the fans will definitely tell him. It would be a pleasure for me, man, because I want to prove to the world that I don't have a blemish on my record, which I do. That's a question mark for Froch. They can say he beat Dirrell, but can they really say it? I want you to look at the fight. I want you to watch it right in front of me and you'll say, "He beat you that round," and I'll say, "How?" I know he didn't, so I really want that chance again. I'm not going to sit up here and say I'm going to feed into Froch's fight, 'cause I'm not, but it's not going to be the same Dirrell. He's going to get a fight. He's definitely not going to see somebody who's moving as much and I'll have the perfect game plan for Froch and I really want to display it. If he thinks he can beat me, then come and get the job done. If you don't feel like there's nothing to prove right now because I'm in the spot that I'm in, then so be it, but I guarantee you, down the line, I'll be the marquee name at 168 pounds. So I'll want that rematch, whether it's now or later.
LS: As far as the Froch fight, or any other big fight at Super Middleweight, are you ready to jump into that now or do you maybe feel you need one or two more fights to get back in rhythm?
AD: The whole mission is to rev my engine back up. I believe I am [ready]. You know, I say it all the time, and my team was just saying, to get back in the groove of things, stay in camp and get your body back going so you can get used to getting back under them lights and being back in the gym. I've always been in the gym while I was out, but like I said, there's nothing like being under them lights. And I felt it the first couple fights and they were early stoppages, so I'm really looking forward to a 10-round [fight], if it goes the distance. I'm just going to keep fighting and hopefully get another good performance and I'm looking for the big fights after that. No question.
LS: Andre, how's the weight? You've been out for a while and you've fought at 168 a long time. Do you still plan to stay at 168 or do you see a move to 175 soon?
AD: I've already said that 175 is definitely in my sights and it's not because of my weight. I actually walk around at 183, so I don't really have a big problem with weight. I just hate losing it. It's just something I don't like to do [laughing]. But I know I'm big and strong at 168, as I will be at 175. I just want to make that move to prove something as well. When I hit 175, I'll be juggling back down to 168 no problem at all, but I want to be at both weight classes. But I really want to win a title at 168 before I do make that move up because I want people to feel like they have a reason to fight me. We all know I'm the most talented. We all know I have the most skill, but I have a lot to prove nevertheless. Me jumping in the ring with somebody like [Andre] Ward or a guy like Froch at this point, even though the odds aren't stacked against me skill-wise, they are stacked against me because of the activity. I haven't been in the ring as much. They've been in the ring. They've been getting jobs done and getting championships. I want that too. I don't want to just jump in there and have all the odds stacked against me. It wouldn't bother me one bit, but the fans always have something to say about that. I want my turn to shine as well and when I do, the fight will be well worth it when it does come to me and Ward, or me and Froch, and all the big names out there.
LS: You mention Ward and that was a fight that was talked about a lot. I believe both of you were at one point supposed to meet during the Super Six Tournament. Is that a fight that you still think is going to happen and be as big as people always envisioned it to be?
AD: It will. That's my dream to make it as big as people envisioned it to be. I want to make that fight as well and right now on this road, I would be another underdog and he would be the champion and I don't want that. I want that Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao magnitude fight. That's a super-fight, no question. In order for you to have a super-fight, it's got to be champion versus champion, so I want to get that and build up my status. I want to build up my resume and I want to get in with any other top opponents. People have been saying Ward-Dirrell since we came out the Olympics. That's something the people want to see and that's something we both want to give the fans. But there's a time for everything. I was looking forward to it in the Super Six and I'm looking forward to it now. It'll happen, I know it will. I just got work to do and I'm already on that road.
LS: Andre, let me just pick your brain a little bit about another subject: Gennady Golovkin. I don't know if you've been keeping tabs on him, but he's been making a lot of noise. I know you actually fought in the Olympics or Olympic trials. Just talk to me about Golovkin and what do you think about him and what was your experience with him as well.
AD: I actually fought him twice. I fought him in Mississippi and I came out with the decision in that one. And I fought him maybe 3 months later in the Olympics and I believe I won that fight, but didn't [get the win]. I remember him being a pretty solid opponent, but I don't remember the power at all, so when I heard about him having a lot of power, I didn't believe it until I seen him get in the ring. And even though this guy hasn't got in the ring with top name opponents, he's still gotten in there with tough opponents. To get in there with the knockout ratio that he has, that's saying something right there, so we know he has the power, man. He is someone I'm definitely hoping comes up to 168 and fights me because my experience with him was left undone. The Olympics were as important to me as a world championship at the time, so I wanted that gold and he was the one who stopped me from getting it. I'd want to meet him again, and especially with the hype that he's had. I can be the champion at 168 and he can come up and try to take my belt and give him something to come up for. That's a fight I'm definitely looking forward to and he's one solid fighter. He has a TON of hype, man, but when that time comes when he gets in there with a top opponent, then we'll see what Gennady Golovkin really has. As far as all of the credit he's getting right now, I believe he's earned it because he is quite a knockout puncher. I like his power.
LS: Talk to me about this Super Middleweight division now. When you guys did the Super Six Tournament, this division was stacked to the brim. It's one of the reasons the Super Six happened in the first place. The division is still good, though it kind of thinned out a little bit. What are your thoughts on it now and the guys that are reigning on top?
AD: It's not on the downfall; you can't say that. Abraham is still a champ even though he's kind of stuck overseas. Kessler still has a lot to prove. We got Chavez Jr. at a new weight. He hasn't fought anybody in the top yet, but he's here. He's tough and he wants to fight. Ward again. We have a lot of prospects and my brother Anthony, who is a champion as well. And then you got me, who is back, so you have the chance to mix up the 168-pound division once again. Once I get up and get going and the crowd is finally saying Andre Dirrell is back in action, they're going to feel like it's a brand new division. They're going to be looking forward to it 110% because I'm going to make a lot of noise. I'm loving the division just like I did before, only the Super Six isn't going on right now. It's pretty much a whole packed division. I believe 168 is one of them weight classes where it's always been a great weight class to see. I'm loving the division right now and I'm looking for all the big names.
LS: I know you mentioned Carl Froch and all these different fights you'd like to have, but if Al Haymon put a contract in front of you and said you can fight anybody you want, just put the name down and it's done, who would you want to fight?
AD: Hmmm. The biggest name the crowd would want me to fight. There isn't no name. It's the biggest fighter the fans, the crowd, or the media or the announcers, I'm talking about the whole boxing world; whatever fight they'd want to see is the fight I'd want to make happen. There is no specific fight because as times goes by, you see upsets, you see bigger fighters, more hyped fighters. There's really no one person I'm eyeing. I would be being stingy to the game if I looked at it like that. I'm just looking forward to getting in there with the top fighters when that time comes and when the fans want it.
LS: My last question is what goals do you have for next year and what do you want to tell the fans that have stuck by you this whole time?
AD: Become...World...Champion. I mean, I've been in this game for 10 whole years and no championship belt. I believe Zahir Raheem from the 96 Olympics, it took him a while to get a championship. I can't recall how long, but it took a while and that's a great thing. I didn't think it would take me this long, but it has. And because we have so much media and social network, I believe I'm in a better era where I can still make the best of my career and still be a superstar in this game. There's more access. As fighters, we all evolve and it's more of a scientific sport, a sports science sport, than a gladiator sport like it was back in the day. I can stay healthy and on par until I'm 35 and 36 years old, and I'm 31 now, so once I get that championship, I want to take off and become undisputed champion. I want to unify all of the belts.
ALSO CHECK OUT:
ANDRE DIRRELL RECALLS AMATEUR FIGHTS WITH GENNADY GOLOVKIN; LOOKING FORWARD TO FUTURE FIGHT: "MY EXPERIENCE WITH HIM WAS LEFT UNDONE"
ANDRE DIRRELL EAGER FOR REMATCH WITH CARL FROCH: "I WANT TO PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT I DON'T HAVE A BLEMISH ON MY RECORD"
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