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kenyan_cheena · 07-19-2010, 10:50 PM

TheSweetScience.com

TUESDAY 3 APRIL 2007

Lampkin raises his
hand to fight Haynes

Story by Michael Broughton

In a development that has come from far left field world junior-heavyweight champion Jeff Lampkin announced on Monday night that he would love to take on world heavyweight champion Terone Haynes. Speaking on SportsCenter, Lampkin surprised host Brian Kenny with his unexpected revelation. Midway through their conversation Lampkin raised Haynes' words from last week when he said that he should be allowed to step back in the ring and defend his title in June, rather than waiting until September as the IBL's rules state he must do. Lampkin went on to say that although it wouldn't be a world title fight he would "relish the opportunity" to fight Haynes if it was given to him.

"It's pretty simple as far as I can see," Lampkin said. "The brother wants to fight. He just destroyed Peter Jackson in two rounds and he doesn't want to sit around for six months waiting for his next challenge. I understand that and I respect it. I respect that he wants to be active and entertain the people and do whatever he can to make boxing more popular. Well, I'll say it right now: I'll fight the guy. It won't be no title fight of course, 'cause that's what the IBL rules say. But Terone is frustrated, he wants to fight and I'm prepared to be the cure for his frustration."

When Kenny respectfully stated the obvious, which is that Lampkin would be lucky to last three rounds with Haynes, the Ohio native simply nodded and even agreed.

"That's probably true, Brian," he said. "That's probably true. But think of it this way: twelve months ago not a single person following the sport figured that I'd become the world champion. I was just as shocked as anyone when I achieved that feat. It was something I almost believed had passed me by. But I won the title and then I retained it last month. What I've done under the IBL banner makes me pinch myself sometimes just to remind me that it's real. I really never expected it to happen but it did. So considering that, why should I back away from something even bigger, like fighting Haynes? I've already made one dream come true, and to step in the ring against a man who I believe will one day be regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time would go beyond even that.

"The opportunity is there for me and I'd be crazy not to raise the issue. Belbouli already said that he wouldn't be contesting a rematch even if the IBL orders it so that means my dance card is empty all the way through until August. I'd gladly fight Terone in late May, when all the other tier one junior-heavies are in action. That gives both of us about eight weeks to prepare from today, which I know is enough for me and should be enough for him considering how quick his last fight was. This ain't something that came to me five minutes ago, Brian. Ever since Terone voiced his frustration last week it's been in my head, the thought that maybe I could step in the ring with the brother."

At 6'1" Lampkin is only three inches shorter than Haynes but he'd be giving away a good twenty pounds in weight, even if he was to pump himself up to, say, 210 pounds. Lampkin weighed in at 199 when he defeated Taoufik Belbouli last month. My personal opinion of such a fight is that it would be a colossal mismatch, and not only because of the physical differences. While Lampkin has thrilled the boxing public in claiming the 200-pound world championship he has not fought anyone who comes even close to Haynes in terms of talent. That factor alone makes it a fight that would be difficult to take seriously and one that, if it was to go ahead, might not lead to the best publicity for the sport. Even so, I have to give Lampkin credit for having the chutzpah just to put it out there. Whether Haynes accepts the offer is another matter entirely.

07-19-2010, 10:50 PM	#1012
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	TheSweetScience.com TUESDAY 3 APRIL 2007 Lampkin raises his hand to fight Haynes Story by Michael Broughton In a development that has come from far left field world junior-heavyweight champion Jeff Lampkin announced on Monday night that he would love to take on world heavyweight champion Terone Haynes. Speaking on SportsCenter, Lampkin surprised host Brian Kenny with his unexpected revelation. Midway through their conversation Lampkin raised Haynes' words from last week when he said that he should be allowed to step back in the ring and defend his title in June, rather than waiting until September as the IBL's rules state he must do. Lampkin went on to say that although it wouldn't be a world title fight he would "relish the opportunity" to fight Haynes if it was given to him. "It's pretty simple as far as I can see," Lampkin said. "The brother wants to fight. He just destroyed Peter Jackson in two rounds and he doesn't want to sit around for six months waiting for his next challenge. I understand that and I respect it. I respect that he wants to be active and entertain the people and do whatever he can to make boxing more popular. Well, I'll say it right now: I'll fight the guy. It won't be no title fight of course, 'cause that's what the IBL rules say. But Terone is frustrated, he wants to fight and I'm prepared to be the cure for his frustration." When Kenny respectfully stated the obvious, which is that Lampkin would be lucky to last three rounds with Haynes, the Ohio native simply nodded and even agreed. "That's probably true, Brian," he said. "That's probably true. But think of it this way: twelve months ago not a single person following the sport figured that I'd become the world champion. I was just as shocked as anyone when I achieved that feat. It was something I almost believed had passed me by. But I won the title and then I retained it last month. What I've done under the IBL banner makes me pinch myself sometimes just to remind me that it's real. I really never expected it to happen but it did. So considering that, why should I back away from something even bigger, like fighting Haynes? I've already made one dream come true, and to step in the ring against a man who I believe will one day be regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time would go beyond even that. "The opportunity is there for me and I'd be crazy not to raise the issue. Belbouli already said that he wouldn't be contesting a rematch even if the IBL orders it so that means my dance card is empty all the way through until August. I'd gladly fight Terone in late May, when all the other tier one junior-heavies are in action. That gives both of us about eight weeks to prepare from today, which I know is enough for me and should be enough for him considering how quick his last fight was. This ain't something that came to me five minutes ago, Brian. Ever since Terone voiced his frustration last week it's been in my head, the thought that maybe I could step in the ring with the brother." At 6'1" Lampkin is only three inches shorter than Haynes but he'd be giving away a good twenty pounds in weight, even if he was to pump himself up to, say, 210 pounds. Lampkin weighed in at 199 when he defeated Taoufik Belbouli last month. My personal opinion of such a fight is that it would be a colossal mismatch, and not only because of the physical differences. While Lampkin has thrilled the boxing public in claiming the 200-pound world championship he has not fought anyone who comes even close to Haynes in terms of talent. That factor alone makes it a fight that would be difficult to take seriously and one that, if it was to go ahead, might not lead to the best publicity for the sport. Even so, I have to give Lampkin credit for having the chutzpah just to put it out there. Whether Haynes accepts the offer is another matter entirely.