"I always thought Wladimir would get the title, but I didn't think Vitali would. They are two different guys, but Vitali has a stronger will I would say. Maybe I shouldn't say a stronger will, but he seems more determined and he's more willing to get down and dirty with you, whereas Wladimir is more of a boxer...Actually, when Evander fought Valuev, he got jerked in that fight. Evander won that fight. He should be 6-time heavyweight champion of the world, but like I said, he got jerked. Anybody that has half the talent of Evander could win the title right now," stated world-class trainer Tommy Brooks as he talked about Evander Holyfield's upcoming November 5 return to the ring and their ongoing quest to regain the heavyweight title. Check out what he had to say about Holyfield, both Klitschko brothers, Mike Tyson and much more.
PC: How is everything going Tommy?
TB: I'm doing fantastic. It's beautiful out here in California.
PC: Who are you currently working with in the fight game right now?
TB: I have Evander Holyfield, who is fighting on November 5th, and Sergei Liakhovich is in the process of getting a fight.
PC: I know you have a great deal of respect for Evander and a long history with him. What is your relationship like with Evander right now?
TB: Aw man, he's like a little brother, you know what I mean? He's a little brother in some ways and a big brother in other ways (laughing). He's truly an honor and a pleasure to be around; a real down to earth guy.
PC: Anytime you see a fighter with the longevity that he has had in the sport, it has to be credited to work ethic and dedication, correct?
TB: Exactly. He believes in himself and as a matter of fact, the last time I was a little concerned about him continuing to fight, I asked him, "Why are you doing this still? All you gotta do is retire and you are in the Hall of Fame." He said, "Listen man, in order for me to give, I gotta receive and this is what I do. I love myself more than anybody and I ain't gonna let myself be hurt. This is how I generate my money and this is how I can help other people." I said, "Look man, as long as the doctor says you are okay, I'm with you all the way, player."
PC: You married into the Duva family. How much did you learn from Lou and how much did he help you as a trainer in the fight game?
TB: Lou is like a father to me, man. It's been tremendous because he took me to Georgie Benton, who I learned a tremendous amount about boxing from, and then being able to work with all of Lou's fighters, like Evander, Pernell Whitaker, Tyrell Biggs, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor, Vinnie Paz, Livingston Bramble and Mike McCallum. The list just goes on and on.
PC: When you see guys that you have worked with, like Meldrick Taylor, hit such a roadblock, not only as a fighter, but in life, that has to be disheartening.
TB: I'm not in a position to judge anybody, you know what I mean? My thoughts on it though are that a lot of things could have gone differently for him, but like I said, who am I to judge anybody? How do you tell a grown man what to do with his money and what to do with his life? You just can't do it. All you can do is be around a guy like Evander and try to walk the right way.
PC: Rocky Lockridge was another guy you have worked with in the past and he seems to be getting his life together...
TB: (Cutting in) Both of those guys are real sweethearts man, but life is life and you can't tell these guys how to live their life, man. They gotta find out on their own and go through the trial and error like everybody else. It's just that some of us are more fortunate than others, where we don't have to go through that, or some of us that make those mistakes know how to get back on the highway.
PC: What do you think the biggest difference is from the guys you worked with in the past to some of the newer guys you have prepared?
TB: I think it's a different work ethic. I think the guys nowadays want the instant gratification type of deal. In the past, the late 70's and early 80's, those guys were willing to put in the work. It wasn't gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, man (laughing). They were willing to learn and willing to put in the time. These guys now want it right off the top.
PC: A lot of these guys will get that huge contract and then it becomes tough to stay focused on boxing.
TB: See, that's the key. These guys don't seem to understand. A lot of people don't understand, boxing is a business. They gotta understand that if you go to the Olympics and you get a million dollar contract, or just say a $100,000 contract, whoever invested that money, they want their money back, so they can't afford to put you in there with Roger Rabbit. They gonna put you in there with King Kong to get their money back.
PC: You also worked with both Klitschko brothers in the past. Did you ever think they would be atop the heavyweight division, seemingly unbeatable at this stage of their careers?
TB: I knew one of them would. I always thought Wladimir would get the title, but I didn't think Vitali would. They are two different guys, but Vitali has a stronger will I would say. Maybe I shouldn't say a stronger will, but he seems more determined and he's more willing to get down and dirty with you, whereas Wladimir is more of a boxer.
PC: Do you think Evander could possibly give one of the brothers or both some trouble, still even at his age?
TB: Actually, when Evander fought Valuev, he got jerked in that fight. Evander won that fight. He should be 6-time heavyweight champion of the world, but like I said, he got jerked. Anybody that has half the talent of Evander could win the title right now. There are so many different categories of the heavyweight championship right now.
PC: You trained Evander for both of his fights with Mike Tyson. Tyson was a tough puzzle to solve at that time. What were some of the flaws that you saw in Mike that you guys carried into the ring on fight night?
TB: It wasn't so much of Mike's flaws as it was Evander's determination. I didn't know at the time we were training that Evander had worked with Mike before when they were at the Olympic training camp. Evander was the only one that would box him. Evander said he put something on his [Tyson's] head back then. Evander told me, "One thing I will tell you Tommy is a man never forgets a butt-kicking." He put something on Mike that grandma couldn't wash off.
PC: Eventually, you worked with Mike as well for his fight with Frans Botha. Was Mike just a talented guy that no one really got the full potential out of because of his worth ethic?
TB: Mike is one of the sweetest guys that you would ever want to be around and I'm saying this from my heart, man. He is one of the nicest human beings that I've ever met, man. This guy's heart is so big and he will give you anything that he got. But the other side to that page is if you cross it, you're going to know about it immediately. It's not going to be like Evander, who will just say, "Well, okay," and walk away. You gonna know about it ASAP with Mike. In a lot of ways, I wish I was a lot like that because people would know who to mess with and who not to mess with.
PC: You've been around the sport for a long time and you saw Panama Lewis get banned for life. Antonio Margarito is about to get a huge payday and he was accused of similar tactics. What's your take on that?
TB: The sport of boxing is a business. A lot of things happen that shouldn't happen and what can you say? That's why we have commissions and things like that, but obviously the Texas Commission is looking at the money and not what he did out here in California. It's always been to my understanding that everybody follows suit. If you got banned or suspended in California or New York, you got banned all across the country. That's the way it should be. Why should one guy be penalized for something and then the next guy gets penalized for the same thing and it doesn't mean anything? Go figure!
PC: Floyd Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao is the fight that everyone wants to see. Do you think we will eventually get that fight and who would you favor?
TB: Nothing against Pacquiao, but Floyd will always be favored to me. I think Floyd has too much experience and too much speed. People don't realize how strong Floyd is. Floyd is tremendously strong. I saw him up in Big Bear lifting weights and the little kid could lift more than I could, so he's tremendously strong. It's nothing against Pacquiao, but I just think he has more tools than Pacquiao. And Pacquiao is a hell of a fighter, but I think it's Floyd all the way.
PC: I appreciate your time. You are truly one of the guys I have a ton of respect for and I have to thank Michael for putting me in touch with you. I would definitely like to bring you on the site more often.
TB: Thanks for the interview and anytime, baby.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]