Q & A with Seanie Monaghan

Undefeated Light Heavyweight Seanie Monaghan returns to action on December 3rd as part of the big Miguel Cotto – Antonio Margarito rematch undercard. Monaghan (10-0, 7 KO’s) has become one of the most popular prospects in New York and will be stepping up the competition.

Seanie, tell the fans out there a little about yourself.
Where did you grow up? What was your family upbringing like? Who are your main influences in your life? How did you get into boxing and how was your Amateur experience?
My mother and father are from Ireland. My mother was pregnant with me when they moved here to NY where i was born. I’ve lived my whole life in Long Beach NY. I was surrounded by a very big Irish family, my Grandmother was one of 17 children so my family was huge. My dad and all my uncles we’re huge boxing fans, they loved Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson and Barry McGuigen. They would let me stay up late when I was a little kid and watch all the big fights. I always loved boxing but I never stepped into a gym until I was 21 years old. I was getting into a lot of street fights and my friend Bobby Calabrese brought me to a Boxing gym in Freeport Long Island. Bobby got to see my first fight (which i won) but he was murdered shortly after. I fight in his memory. I didn’t have a very long amateur career. I made it to the finals of the Golden Gloves and lost a controversial decision, the next year I lost another close one in the semi finals and decided to go pro. My amateur record was 10 and 4.

What kind of style do you bring into the ring?
When I step in the ring its strictly business, I’m a power puncher with both hands and my goal is to get my guy outta there as soon as possible without being reckless. As a boxing fan, I appreciate the skill of defense but I’m always hoping to see a big Knockout, so that’s what I try to give my fans.

Tell us about your team.
I’m trained by Joe Higgins out of the Freeport Boxing Club, the same trainer I’ve had since my first amateur fight. He’s a former Marine/Fireman and he’s really making a name for himself as a coach on the pro and amateur scene. Joe was a coach on this years Pan America games and he gets me all the best sparring available in NY with all of his connections. My manager is a personal friend of mine named PJ Kavanagh, a business man/ bar owner. He’s doing an unbelievable job with my career. I’ve been on all the biggest undercards and had experiences guys wait a lifetime for. I’m 100% confident in my team. We’re all on the same page and all very excited about our future in boxing.

You are one of the most popular fighters in New York, what does that mean to have so much fan support?
Its an unbelievable boost to have the support that i have. My home town of Long Beach has showed me unbelievable support from day one. I had 300+ people come to my pro debut. Now its more than doubled and its not just long beach anymore. My last fight at MSG a woman from Canada asked me to sign an autograph for her son because she said i was his favorite figher! That was crazy.

December 3rd is one of the biggest events of the year and Madison Square Garden will be rocking that night. How excited are you to participate on such a big stage?
Not only is Dec 3rd the most anticipated fight of the year, but it’s the 7 year anniversary that my friend Bobby Calabrese was murdered. So for me its a Huge event. I’ve never been in better shape. I’m fighting in the big house at MSG and it’s going to be a great night. Its sold out at almost 20,000 people! I’m really excited to see the main event, my wife is from Puerto Rico so we’ll be there rooting for Cotto. I’m also dying to see that Pawel Wolack/ Delvin Rodriguez rematch.

Do you know who your opponent is? What is your strategy for this fight?

My opponent is a guy named Santos Martinez from Michigan, i saw him get KOd by an amateur rival of mine so i would like to KO him faster and better to prove a point, but I’m gonna go in there cool headed and do what I always do. Box smart and if the opportunity comes, get him outta there.

There is a great tradition of Irish fighters in New York, how much of the history of that do you follow?
My family is right off the boat, we’re as Irish as it gets. My family talks about boxing at our holiday dinners. I’ve got the chance to meet and become friendly with Andy Lee, James Moore, John Duddy and Kevin McBride. Just to say i’m friends with those guys is cool enough in my neighborhood but to make my own name and be mentioned alongside guys like that would be great. I’m getting there.

You just became a father for the first time. Does that inspire you to work even harder?
My son Absolutely inspires me. I love him more than i can even describe and i want to be able to provide for him and help everyone else in my family and my close friends. I have an opportunity to make it big in this sport, i just have to stay focused one fight at a time, one training camp at a time and its mine.

What do you think about the Marquez/ Pacquiao decision?
Everyone’s making it seem like such a scandal with the Pacquiao/Marquez thing. I watched the fight and thought Pacquiao won by a round or two. I would have been alright with a draw. Marquez boxed very well but I thought he was a little too defensive. Pacquiao looked ackward at times but he did out land Marquez and he was forcing the pace all night. Marquez knew how to avoid Mannys left hand so he fight was a chess match. It was very close, I wanna watch it again because everyone seems to disagree with me on this one.

Where do you see your career going in 2012?
2012 is going to be another busy and exciting year for me. I had a late start in boxing so i’m catching up. I had 8 fights in 2011, I learned a lot and I’ve progressed with my boxing skills each fight. There’s negotiations going on now for a shot at the Irish Light Heavyweight Tile against Irish Champ Ciaran Healy on St Paddy’s Day. They contacted us about the fight and that would be a dream come true for me and my big Irish family. We’d be bragging about that forever! But first things first I gotta handle my business Dec 3rd.

Anything you want to say to your fans in closing?
I would just like to thank everyone for the support and attention we’ve been getting. I’m very proud and satisfied with the work we put in for this fight and the results will be evident on Dec 3rd.