On Tuesday 12 October Rendell Munroe 21-1(9) left Britain to head for Japan in a bid for Toshiaki Nishioka’s WBC Super Bantamweight crown. The fight takes place on Sunday 24 October in the Japanese capital Tokyo. Munroe 30, did what not every fighter can say they do these days, he earnt his title shot by fighting the best available fighters. In March 2008 Munroe beat then unbeaten Kiko Martinez for the European title making five defence’s along the way repeating his win over Martinez and outpointing teak tough Italian Simone Maludrottu who himself fought for a world title in Japan though down at Bantamweight where he lost a decision to Nishioka’s stablemate Hozumi Hasegawa. In his one fight this year Munroe stopped Mexican Victor Terrazas in an eliminator. He hopes to return from “The Land of the Rising Sun” having conquered Nishioka though maintains it wont change him and he’ll continue his day job working as a rubbish man. Here’s what the humble Midlander had to say.
Hello Rendell, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – You will be challenging for the WBC Super Bantamweight title in Japan on 24 October against Toshiaki Nishioka. What are your thoughts on thi s fight & how what do you think of him as a fighter?
Rendell Munroe – My thoughts are I’m going there to become the champion, obviously he’s a champion himself and I respect him. We’re in there for the same thing. Two good fighters in there and we’re both fighting to be the champion of the world, he defending it and I’m gonna win it.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a little about your training for this fight? When do you head off to Japan? Are you expecting many fans to travel?
Rendell Munroe – Yeah, everything has gone well. I follow what Jason (Shinfield) says I need to do. Everything is going well everything is perfect. I’ve been in camp for 8 weeks, I went to Portugal for a week to train. They reckon over a hundred fans are coming over which is good.
Anson Wainwright – Do you think you’ll have to put in your best performance to date to win the title away from home in Japan?
Rendell Munroe – Yeah I would say. Every time I step in the ring I look to put on my best performance. I’m going in there to win. Every time I prove I can be that bit better.
Anson Wainwright – If you are able to win the title in Japan what do you think this would mean to you and your family? How would it change your life?
Rendell Munroe – It’s not if I’m able to it’s when I win the title in Japan. That’s the main thing, Obviously it’ll mean a lot to me, it’s my dream of becoming a world champion, it’s what I want to do. So for my family it’s a good thing for them the same. My missus and my two kids can’t come out there but they’ll support me and give me credit when I get home. It might do (Change his life) but I’ll still go to work and be the same Rendell Munroe.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use to get ready for upcoming fights?
Rendell Munroe – My manager is Mike Shinfield and my coach is Jason Shinfield who’s his son from the same area and my promoter Frank Maloney obviously a lot of people know his name from managing Lennox Lewis. I use the gym in Summercote which belongs to the Shinfield’s.
Anson Wainwright – Outside of the ring your known as a very humble guy who still works a day job as a Bin man, can you tell us a bit about that and how you manage to train & fight whilst also working a day job?
Rendell Munroe – Just work isn’t it like everyone else, I go to the gym when I’ve finished work. I would say a big thanks to work for giving me the time off to train. They give me time off when I have a fight coming up so I can dedicate 100% of my time. Apart from that I go to work like an every day man.
Anson Wainwright – Will that change when you win the World title?
Rendell Munroe – No no, I’m glad they gave me the time off. My intention is to win the world title and go back to work.
Anson Wainwright – Though you obviously have a hectic life between your job & Boxing what do you like to do to relax away from Boxing?
Rendell Munroe – I like to play a bit of football (Soccer) with my friends. My eldest boy plays for Leicester football team so I go and watch him as well, he’s in the academy. I relax and chill with my family go to the park and things like that.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a bit about your younger days and how they took you into Boxing?
Rendell Munroe – I first got into Boxing through an argument with my mum, I went to the gym with my uncle and it went from there.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career. What titles did you win and what was your final record?
Rendell Munroe – I think I had 40 fights I won about 30. But as an amateur it was just a hobby, something to do. It wasn’t until the later years that people started to say you have potential to go far so give it a proper shot and I have done and that’s where I am now.
Anson Wainwright – You started out your pro career and fought at Featherweight and on occasion even higher. How easily do you make the weight?
Rendell Munroe – No no no, I never started out at Featherweight no one would fight me at Super Bantamweight I had to fight at Featherweight. I make the weight easy, I’m 2 weeks out now and I’m already at the weight. The weight isn’t a problem, it’s not an issue.
Anson Wainwright – The Super Bantamweight division has undergo a transformation in the last year with JuanMa Lopez, Isreal Vazquez & Rafeal Marquez moving to 126. How do you see things? Who do you view as the top guy at 122?
Rendell Munroe – I don’t really look to much into it, I’m one of those fighters who concentrates on myself and what I’m doing I don’t really start looking at the weight division and start thinking. If my teams say who I’m fighting next and I concentrate on myself.
Anson Wainwright – What did you think of your stablemate Jason Booth’s fight for a world title against IBF Champion Steve Molitor?
Rendell Munroe – Yeah he aint in the stable anymore. It was a good fight he (Booth) had the ability to beat him (Molitor) with the skill but the size might be a factor for him which it was but like I say no disrespect to the guy gave it his best shot and he did look good for the first half of the fight then the size and strength showed a bit more for Steve Molitor. It went the way I said it would
Anson Wainwright – Does it bother you that Booth got his fight at home whereas you have to travel to Japan for your world title fight?
Rendell Munroe – No I don’t deal with any negativity, I just do what I’ve got to do. At the end of the day it goes how it goes I let everyone do there thing we’re doing ours and it’s working so keep it that way.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans in Britain who loyally support you?
Rendell Munroe – Big thanks for the 100% support I’m looking to make England proud and become a world champion on the 24 October.
Thanks for your time Rendall, keep up the good work.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
