Long Island, NY’s welterweight southpaw boxer, Tommy ” The Razor” Rainone talks to 15rounds.com Claudia Bocanegra on his return to the ring April 2nd . Rainone’s upcoming bout against Arthur Medina will be held at The Aviator, in Brooklyn NY.
1. It’s been 10months since your last fight in Yankee Stadium on the undercard to Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto. Why such a long gap? What have you been doing this time that you have been off?
“This is the longest layoff of my career and this was not something that I planned. Inactivity is a fighter’s worst enemy and at times it was very frustrating. I wanted to get back in the ring as soon as possible following the disappointment of the fight at Yankee stadium but 2 fights, 1 in Sept. 2010 and 1 in Jan 2011 fell threw which led to the long layoff. I got to do a lot of traveling… Vegas, Colorado, Niagara Falls, Atlantic city, California but as much as I love to travel I would have gladly cashed in a couple of those trips for a fight.”
2. You took a loss to your opponent Buterbaugh that night in Yankee Stadium. How did you feel that night and how much is your confidence now after returning to the ring?
“I felt terrible that night, I had a little trouble making weight but that is no excuse because all fighters have there struggles with the scale but I felt extremely weak and under the weather 24 hours before the fight. In the dressing room which I thought I would be fine, I was hitting the pads with my trainer and it sounded like fire works going off, I could not wait to get to the ring and I felt very confident and ready to rock but once I climbed into that ring under the hot lights it was as if the switch went off and something felt off. Soon as the bell rang, I remember throwing a lead straight left and there was nothing on it and right away I knew I was in trouble. I was exhausted 2 min into the very 1st round and already peeking up at the score board to see how much time was left in the round, I knew right away it was going to be a long night and the fight is pretty much a blur to me. I don’t know how I went the 6 round distance feeling as tired and weak as I did. I take nothing away from my opponent who was in great shape and came to fight but anybody who fought back that night would have beaten me, I didn’t feel right until about 3 days after the fight. Again, I don’t want to make excuses, this is more of an explanation for my performance because this is not the 1st time I went into a fight under the weather but I didn’t think it would effect me as I have grinded through it before but on a humid night fighting outdoors under the hot lights. I was beaten before the bell rang, pulling out of the fight never crossed my mind, I’ve fought under a number of tough circumstances in the past and fighters fight.”
3. As a lifelong Yankee fan, what was it like to fight in Yankee Stadium?
“Honestly, what should have been one of the greatest nights of my life turned into one of the worst nights of my life . With all that happened, plenty of people have said ” well you fought at Yankee Stadium, do you realize how few people on earth can ever say that?” My response to that is that anyone can get their head cut off fighting at the Coliseum, all that matters is winning. I don’t live life with many regrets but if i don’t get the opportunity to fight at Yankee stadium and win again then this will always leave a real bitter taste in my mouth.”
4. You have had a resume of sparring partners in the past like Yuri Foreman, and Swedish Olympian, Naim Terbunja. Have you been sparring with any new talent?
“I just sparred a couple of days back with Javier Monserrate who is 18-1 with 2 draws and 11 kos. Been working with Mike Brooks who is a good tough 3-0 fighter from Long Island. Just worked with José Guzman from the Bronx who is a good fighter far better then his 5-8 1 draw record. I have also gotten alot of rounds in with my boy Rich Neves who trains with me at my gym and will be turning pro after he hopefully wins the Golden Gloves in April. He is in the quarter finals right now and won his 1st two fights He’s a real tough dude in tremendous shape and will be sparred with undefeated Chris Algieri . He’s a real talented jr. welter.”
5. What do you think is your advantage against your opponent Arthur Medina? What do you think are his weaknesses?
“He has a lot of experience, 36 fights, but a lot of losses. Although he is bigger than me, I feel that he is the right opponent, coming off the longest layout of my career. He should be a pretty good competition. From me, he’s not going to see much of what he hasn’t’ already seen, I’m in great shape. I’m faster, sharper and hungrier to fight than him. My skills will take care of the rest but mentally I’m ready to fight April 2.”
6. Have you made any adjustments to your lifestyle to get ready for this fight?
“Of course, once the maintaining faze ends and the lock down training for the fight begins it’s just that, lock down. I have never had a problem putting life on hold and making the necessary sacrifices needed to give myself the best chance at victory.”
7. Are there any plans for you to fight overseas?
“Fighting in Argentina was a great experience and I plan to fight there again in the very near future, hopefully towards the end of the year like last time around Dec when it is warm over there. If the situation is right I’d be willing to go fight anywhere so hopefully I’m able to get a few more international fights in before my career is over.”
8. Where do you see yourself in the next year? Any names in boxing that you would one day like to fight?
“I’m not worried about a year from now or 6 months from now. All I care about is victory first and an impressive performance second on April 2, then its on to the next one.”
9. Who is your favorite boxer, past or present, and why.
“All time, Arturo Gatti for a multitude of reasons. I also grew up a big fan of fighters like Mike Tyson, Tommy Morrison, Terry Norris, Julio Caesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker. Presently I would say Vladimir Klitschko is one of my favorite fighters, a total professional who is about as dominant a fighter there has been in the last 10 years and has truly mastered his craft. Lucian Bute who is an ever improving fighter and a southpaw who I enjoy watching because I am able to learn from and apply some of the things I see him do. Marcos Maidona, an absolute warrior and a truth machine, if your not in the best shape of your life he is going to find out and even if you are in most cases it wont matter; Andre ward, willing to fight anyone, he can do it all and if he continues to improve could be the best pound for pound fighter in a couple of years”
10. What are your thoughts on the Pacquiao / Mosley fight?
“Mosley is going to think he is getting jumped ha-ha, I don’t see anyway how he can beat Pac short of landing an early bomb. For Pac, this is a stay busy fight but he would never treat it as such and is always in tip top shape and under estimates no one. Mosley has seen better days and his great chin, experience and durability might take him the distance but he is going to take a lot of punishment along the way to hear that final bell. I think it can turn into an exciting fight because Pac will be right there willing to trade but Pac’s speed, energy level and fighting spirit should be far too much for a 39 year old Mosley.”
11. You have a considerable amount of fans that support you; it is clear in the amount of tickets that you sell. What do you think it is about you that attract such a significant number?
“Does not matter if I’m being slick, boxing, hitting and making my opponent miss or if I have to trade and go toe to toe a little more than I should. I keep it interesting and fun for the fans every fight.”
12. What would you like to tell your fans?
“I’m really looking forward to getting things back on track April 2nd and again building momentum from there As always I thank everyone for their support, which is much appreciated and never over looked.”
To watch Rainone’s fight, click http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Havoc_Boxing_Presents_H3/992
