"The BKB opportunity was available and I felt like it was an avenue to get me more popularity and get me seen for myself, and not just because I'm Shane Mosley Jr. and people want to see me on the card. I want to be put on the big stage and put on great performances and let people know that I am here for me. I think people saw that in the BKB show. I got that guy out of there," stated up-and-coming middleweight Shane Mosley Jr., who talked about his recent BKB win, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!
PC: It did not take you long to dispatch Jason Kelly in your BKB debut. How did you feel in there?
SMJ: It felt great. I was very prepared and very focused and I got the job done.
PC: The way I view the BKB format is, anytime someone puts their fighter in a BKB fight, they know that their fighter has great defense, can gauge range well, and obviously they have great knockout power. Do you feel your team is comfortable with you in all 3 phases and that's why they accepted this fight?
SMJ: Absolutely! They see me spar and they see me work and they train with me every day, so they know I'm very capable. And I come from a great pedigree, so they know I hit hard (laughing).
PC: You apparently inherited the body punching abilities from your father. You hit Kelly with a vicious body punch. After that, did you kind of sense the end was near?
SMJ: Absolutely! When I landed that body shot, I seen his face and it looked like he wanted to cry. I knew from then it was over.
PC: Talk us through the follow up. You moved in with the intent of ending the fight right then and there.
SMJ: I knew when he took a knee, he was pretty much done. I knew pretty much when he took that knee, he didn't want to fight anymore, so I knew when he got back up, I had to make sure that I put him back down. I came over the top with the right hand and came right back with the uppercut that put him back down and Jay Nady decided that he couldn't take no more.
PC: What was the experience in The Pit like as opposed to a regular boxing match? Was it much different or could you draw some comparisons?
SMJ: Honestly, I feel like the only difference is the mindset. You have to realize that you don't have any ropes to protect you. I think sometimes, because we have ropes in boxing, you get a little lackadaisical when you get close to the ropes. Not saying that you don't use them, but for a lot of people, it's relax time. The only difference is the mindset. I know when I get close to the end, I gotta get ready to turn off or I can't let him try to rush me when I get close to the edge. That's the only difference. When you're a fighter, good amateur and good professional fighters, you will be able to make the adjustments. Fighting is fighting. I don't care if you're fighting in a fucking telephone booth or a fucking cage. It doesn't make a difference. If we're fighting, I'm going to try and knock you out or I'm going to try and hurt you and win. That's all that matters.
PC: You have great range and great height for a middleweight. Is that where you feel you will make your mark at in boxing?
SMJ: I feel great about my weight class. I'm very comfortable at this weight. I feel like I'm going to stay here for as long as I can. Of course I'm only 24, so I'm only going to get bigger and more man strength and things like that over the years. I'm going to stay here as long as I can and when I can't make it anymore for whatever reason, I'm going to move up. But right now, I feel very comfortable and strong at this weight and I'm going to stay here.
PC: Moving forward, how do you balance great opportunities like BKB with your traditional boxing career?
SMJ: I just take them as they come. I seize them and capitalize on them when they are available. The BKB opportunity was available and I felt like it was an avenue to get me more popularity and get me seen for myself, and not just because I'm Shane Mosley Jr. and people want to see me on the card. I want to be put on the big stage and put on great performances and let people know that I am here for me. I think people saw that in the BKB show. I got that guy out of there. He was talking all that mess and I got him out of there. I fought hard and I fought good and hopefully they will want to see me again, whether it's in a BKB Pit or a boxing ring. I want people to want to see me again.
PC: I'm sure you didn't need much motivation heading into that fight, but Jason definitely provided you with incentive to be a little pissed off heading into The Pit.
SMJ: Yes, he did! I wasn't really upset. I felt more disrespected a little bit. I felt he was disrespecting me as a person. That really bothered me and, like you said, it gave me a little more incentive to put a little extra on it.
PC: Anytime you knock out someone who did so much talking, there is an extra amount of jubilation that comes with those knockouts. What was it like once you realized they weren't going to let the fight continue?
SMJ: Before Jay waived it off, I stood over him when I dropped him that second time. I stood over him and I remember my sister asked me, "What did you say to him?" I didn't say anything to him verbally, but I stood over him and looked at him and I think that said a lot. I looked him dead in his eyes and it was almost like, "Say something now!" I didn't say anything verbally, but my actions said a lot.
PC: How soon will you be returning to the gym?
SMJ: I was in the gym yesterday. I worked out and did 25 rounds yesterday. I would like to be back in there fighting as soon as possible, so I went right back to work in the gym.
PC: Shane, helluva performance. I look forward to following along with your career. Is there anything else you would like to add before I let you go?
SMJ: I think I covered it all. Thank you and I appreciate the interview!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]