Q & A with Julius ” The Chef” Jackson

A couple of weeks back Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr joined his father in a very select band fighters who followed in there father in winning a world title. So select they were only the sixth combination to achieve this honour. While it’s early days looking to join that illustrious group is Julius “The Chef” Jackson son of the great Light Middleweight & Middleweight puncher Julian Jackson. The 23 year old fights up at Super Middleweight and currently sports an 11-0(7) record.

Hello Julius, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly your currently 11-0(7) winning two already this year, when can we expect to see you in action next?

Julius Jackson – Well, you can expect to see me in action on the 30th of July in my home town St. Thomas U.S.V.I.!

Anson Wainwright – You’re a son of a famous father, none other than Julian “The Hawk” Jackson. Does this add more pressure to succeed for you? What can you tell us about this?

Julius Jackson – Yes it does, I know it will mostly come from the boxing critics and boxing fans, but no pressure from my dad. I’m just ready to do me!

Anson Wainwright – Your younger brother John is also a boxer who is 10-0(9) what can you tell us about the relationship you both share?

Julius Jackson – We have a very close relationship, ever since the Olympics we’ve bonded even closer. We know each others styles and what we both are capable of in the ring. We really help each other grow.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team? Who are your manager, trainer & Promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Julius Jackson – We have a promotional team which consist of 4 members and they do promoting and managing, but Sampson of “Sampson Boxing” is my match maker and one of the members of the promotional team and he makes a lot of the magic happen. My trainers are David Rogers, Joey Vialet, Tony Rosario, and Julian Jackson. I train at the Paul M. Pearson Gardens Recreational Center in St. Thomas U.S.V.I.

Anson Wainwright – What can you tell us about your fighting style? Do you feel you have inherited some of your father’s spectacular power?

Julius Jackson – I would say I am a boxer more than a puncher, I love using combinations, I can stand and fight as well. But I think I have a little bit of that power from my dad, as you can see from my record.

Anson Wainwright – You’re from the Virgin Islands which isn’t known for it’s Boxer’s can you tell us about how you first got into Boxing, obviously your father played a big part in things?

Julius Jackson – Well we have a few fighters like Emile Griffith, and Livingston Bramble, and my dad of course. Boxing was always apart of the Virgin Islands. But yes he did invite me to join the gym, at first just to get in shape, but then I fell in love with the sport.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your younger days, did you have a tough upbringing as many in Boxing do or with your father being a fighter did you have a good childhood? What was your favourite memory of your father’s career as you were a kid?

Julius Jackson – I had good childhood. My dad and mom were great parents and they raised me well. I started playing baseball from t-ball days, I thought I was gonna be a major league star, but I moved back home from living in Vegas and that kind of died, then I got a bit lazy and fat, so my father invited me to his gym and that’s when it all started!

Anson Wainwright – You fought at the last Olympics in Beijing at Light Heavyweight what can you tell us about your amateur career? What titles did you win, what other Big tournaments did you appear in like the World Championships etc what current pro fighters have you fought and how did you do? Also what was your amateur record?

Julius Jackson – My amateur career was pretty good. I love the travelling and always had a blast with the team. Going to the Olympics was my biggest accomplishment. I also got a silver medal in the Cheaponte tournament, which is Puerto Rico’s biggest amateur tournament. I got silver in Florida Golden Gloves, and silver in the last Olympic qualifiers! I’ve been the reigning Caribbean champion for three years in the middle-weight division. I fought Carlos Negron, Azea Augustama, Evan Nedd, some of the current pro fighters, I have fought. My record is 22 wins, 9 losses.

Anson Wainwright – How popular are you your brother & father in The Virgin Islands?

Julius Jackson – Yes I would say I’m pretty popular now, I’m trying to get used to the popularity now, but it’s nice. Maybe when we win our first titles we will join our Dad as a National Treasures!

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing, what are your hobbies & interests?

Julius Jackson – Well from my ring name “The Chef” you can see I like food. That’s my next love. I love cooking and the whole restaurant business, I have my Associates Degree in Culinary Arts, and I love it. I also am into the ministry and talking to kids, I love helping others and reaching out! I also do a bit of music. I write and produce gospel rap and reggae music.

Anson Wainwright – Who were your hero’s, growing up?

Julius Jackson – My heroes growing up were actually baseball players like Mike Piazza and Ken Griffy, Jr. But my Dad was always my hero and along with Evander Holyfield!

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for Boxing fans who maybe reading this interview?

Julius Jackson – Yes, I just want to thank the true boxing fans for staying faithful to the sport and for keeping the history alive, and that Julius “The Chef” Jackson will not let them down!

Thanks for your time Chef.

Anson Wainwright
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