Its 10 years since Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu 27-2(15) left his native Romania to turn professional in Canada. In a highly decorated amateur career Diaconu had won bronze at the 1997 World Championships and then two years later at the same event he upgraded to a silver medal before representing his country on the grandest stage of all the Olympics in 2000. He made his debut in 2001 and fought mostly in Canada, honing his skills and getting used to life away from his homeland for the next few years. That is until the spring of 2008 when he headed back to Romania to fight Chris Henry for the vacant WBC Interim Light Heavyweight title which he won on points. After a year out of the ring he lost his crown to Jean Pascal and also lost a rematch. Now Diaconu 32, is on the comeback trail and meets Chad Dawson on the weekend as chief support to the Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins 2 fight. He knows that to remain a factor in the division he needs to overcome Dawson. It won’t be an easy task, though he’ll hope to use his pressure & marauding style to smoother the wider skill set of Dawson. Here’s what Diaconu had to say.
Hello Adrian, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly you last fought in October last year when you beat Omar Sheika, how did you feel after 10 months away? Were you happy with your performance?
Adrian Diaconu – After two defeats when I lost the title with Jean Pascal then I tried to get the title back and lost again. So was very hard for me to get back in shape. After two defeats it’s not easy. I came back strong. I fought Omar Sheika, I did a very good fight in my opinion. I’m happy.
Anson Wainwright – You’re fighting Chad Dawson on the Pascal-Hopkins 2 card. Can you tell us anything about that fight any what do you think of Dawson?
Adrian Diaconu – You know this last fight he didn’t prove much. I think he’ll come back strong. Right now I think he’s going to be ready for me.
Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the Pascal-Hopkins fight?
Adrian Diaconu -To be honest, right now I’m focused on my fight. It’s going to be an Interesting fight for sure like the first one. My preparation is to be ready for Chad Dawson. But I hope whoever is best wins.
Anson Wainwright – What have you done with your time since your last fight? Have you trained? What is your walk around weight at the moment?
Adrian Diaconu – No, no. I had one week off after the (Sheika) fight. Then I came back to the gym. Depends around 195-200.
Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about your team. Who are your manager, trainer & promoter?
Adrian Diaconu – Promoter is Interbox, I manage myself and my trainers are Pierre Bouchard & Stéphan Larouche.
Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about your younger days growing up in Ploiesti, Romania and how you first became interested in Boxing?
Adrian Diaconu – I was a little kid with a lot of energy and my father and teacher asked me to go and expand that energy in the gym.
Anson Wainwright – You had a very successful amateur career in which you represented your country at the 2000 Olympics and twice in the World Championships. What can you tell us about your amateur career?
Adrian Diaconu – I fought a lot of good boxers Sergio Martinez, Carl Froch. I fought the best in the world. Now I’m involved in something else so don’t look at the past.
Anson Wainwright – Lucian Bute is Romanian & fights out of Canada. Can you tell us about the relationship you share?
Adrian Diaconu – We’re good friends. We work out of the same gym. When we were younger we fought on the same squad.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us what happened for you to end up fighting in Canada?
Adrian Diaconu – There was Interest to go pro so I came to Canada. It wasn’t possible to box there (In Romania) at that time.
Anson Wainwright – How do you see the state of the Light Heavyweight division and where do you think you fit in?
Adrian Diaconu – I have a chance to prove I belong at this level with Chad Dawson. With a big win next weekend I’ll be in the mix.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do with your spare time? What are your hobbies and Interests? Do you go back to Romania often?
Adrian Diaconu – Fishing. Fishing is a good passion of mine. I go back to Romania every year.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?
Adrian Diaconu – Watch the fight!
Thanks for your time Adrian, good luck with your fight on the weekend.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
Weekend thoughts – You have to give Andre Ward credit he put on a clinic Saturday night, he boxed outstandingly, he’s got speed to burn, his ring generalship was also very impressive. It’s a shame he doesn’t have a big punch, it’s the only thing missing. He’s come on leaps and bounds since the Super Six started. I can’t wait until the final against either Carl Froch or Glen Johnson. I’d favour Ward over either but both guys would bring their own set of problems for Ward. Credit to Abraham for at least having a go this time which is more than can be said for his fight against Froch. It’s tough to see where Abraham goes at 168 from here. It was mentioned he may go back to Middleweight where his strength was much more effective, at 168 he’s not able to bully the top guys. If he can get back down to 160 and get a few wins under his belt I’ll love to see him fight Dmitry Pirog or Sergio Martinez…It was good to see Chris Arreola get into good shape, he looked pretty impressive stopping Nagy Aguilera in three. He got a little wild trying to stop Aguilera but I’m sure his better conditioning helped him not gas out and allow him to keep up his assault. It was the lightest Arreola has been in since 2007…On Friday in England on Friday Prince Aaron won a barburner against Sam Webb to take the British title. Aaron stopped Webb in the final round. he first sprang to prominence last year winning Prizefighter. At 6’3 he holds huge physical advantages over every Light Middleweight.
