"In my opinion, I can be a little rougher. I do whatever it takes to knock my opponent out. As long as the referee doesn't interfere, I do what I need to do. That creates, sometimes, chaos, but never a dull moment...I am in the ring to please the crowd and give them good fights and I don't play tag. I never back down and I give 100% of myself every time I step in the ring. When I enter the ring, it's like a marriage; till death do us part...I can assure you that when I am the champion, the crowd will come to the arenas; the people will come out of their beds to watch the fight and I will serve the boxing fans and give them fights they would expect of a champion. I look at guys like Adamek and Arreola and if they are considered the top of the division, I kinda laugh at that. I think I am ready for those guys right now; or Monte Barrett, who just beat David Tua.," stated former K-1 heavyweight champion Badr Hari, who talked about his decision to make a transition to boxing. Clearly, Badr already believes he can compete with some of the more familiar names in the sport and he's eager to begin working with a world-class boxing trainer to make his transition complete. You don't want to miss what else he had to say. Check it out!
PC: How is everything going, Badr?
BH: I am fine. Thank you.
PC: I'm sure it felt good to get back in there and mix it up against Gregory Tony after being off for over a year?
BH: It was a difficult year for me. I wanted to make a huge comeback. We picked Mr. Tony for his current boxing results with the transition in mind. But Mr. Tony didn't come to fight though. He just showed up to collect money and that's a shame. Nevertheless, I was very happy to be back, but also very dissapointed over the fight.
PC: Since our following is mainly boxing, can you give us your kickboxing background and include your record and knockouts.
BH: I really don't know, but the last time I can recall, it was something like 97 wins, mostly by KO, and 11 losses and 3 disqualifications (laughing). But that was without the fights as a kid, with headgear, etc.
PC: Of course the reason all of this is relevant is because you want to make the transition to boxing. What do you think of today's heavyweight division in boxing?
BH: It is not as exciting as it used to be, but I still think that it's okay. There is a lack of fighters, like Mr. Mike Tyson, Muhammed Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, etc., fighters who want to fight for the fight and not for the results. I think I have still that old school standard in me and I think that will be the difference between me and the rest. For my boxing skills, I think I need a good trainer who is willing to walk that path with me and update my boxing skills.
PC: The Klitschko Brothers have a stranglehold on the division right now. Their height and size give a lot of people problems. You are 6'6" and come in about 245 pounds, so you could hold your own in the size department; not to mention, you have knocked out Semmy Schilt, who is gigantic.
BH: That's correct, and many many others with the Klitschko Brothers' size.
PC: Just to familiarize the boxing public with you, you have been a controversial figure to say the least. You have been disqualified from fights and have had several arrests for assault outside of the ring. Not that the arrests are a good thing, but I think your nastiness in the ring is what the heavyweight division in boxing is lacking. Would you agree with that?
BH: I am who I am. I'm very emotional and have made many misstakes, as everyone else. In my opinion, I can be a little rougher. I do whatever it takes to knock my opponent out. As long as the referee doesn't interfere, I do what I need to do. That creates, sometimes, chaos, but never a dull moment.
PC: Don't kick my ass when you see me, but I refer to you as the "Moroccan Maniac" because I think you are straight up nuts. Do you embrace kind of being known as crazy?
BH: It took me where I am today. I don't think I'm crazy or mental, just emotional. In my opinion, I am in the ring to please the crowd and give them good fights and I don't play tag. I never back down and I give 100% of myself every time I step in the ring. When I enter the ring, it's like a marriage; till death do us part!
PC: Are you targeting the Klitschko Brothers specifically or can anyone get it?
BH: I think the Klitschko Brothers are far away. I don't want to look that far ahead. I want to take it one step at a time and ultimately get myself ready to fight whoever the champion is at that time. But I can assure you that when I am the champion, the crowd will come to the arenas; the people will come out of their beds to watch the fight and I will serve the boxing fans and give them fights they would expect of a champion. I look at guys like Adamek and Arreola and if they are considered the top of the division, I kinda laugh at that. I think I am ready for those guys right now; or Monte Barrett, who just beat David Tua. You know me Percy. I just want to fuck people up.
PC: What do you think will be the toughest part of making the transition from kickboxer to boxer?
BH: Just getting used to more rounds, the shoes, the patience, and the different torque (laughing). There will be more, but it's just a matter of adjustment.
PC: Your moniker is "The Golden Boy". Maybe "The Golden Boy" Oscar De La Hoya should be looking into possibly linking up with Badr Hari. You're no Andrei Arlovski, who they signed at one point to box.
BH: Like I said, one step at a time. Let me first find a trainer who will walk that path with me. I hope to meet Mr. De La Hoya one day because he is one of my favorite fighters and I'll be very honored if he thinks that I am the guy who will make a difference in modern heavyweight boxing.
PC: You have clearly stated that you think ground fighting and laying on people is not your thing. Was MMA never really an option for you, Badr?
BH: No, it was never an option.
PC: I look forward to speaking with you many times leading up to your arrival into boxing, as well as your next fight. Is there anything you want to say to our readers in closing?
BH: I hope everybody is looking forward to this as I am. It will be a big step and risk for me. Just cheer, and you know the louder the cheer, the harder the punches. Don't blink.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]