ANDRE DIRRELL: "I'M GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF NOISE...I'M LOOKING FOR ALL THE BIG NAMES"
By Luis Sandoval | October 31, 2014
LS: First of all, tell me how it feels to be back. I know you were off for a while. How does it feel to be back fighting and back to what you normally do?
AD: I'm glad to be back. I mentally grew up and got that confidence to go back in the ring. I'm looking to take full advantage of it.
LS: Talk to me about your last fight. You scored a 4th round knockout. How did you feel about your performance and how did you feel in the ring?
AD: I felt pretty good about my performance. I wanted to go in there and catch a few punches because I wanted to work on my inside game quite a bit and my counter punching abilities and knew he was giving me an opportunity to do so. He was pretty strong; stronger than I really anticipated. I noticed in the ring watching my performance that I was catching, but I wasn't turning him enough. That's part of the things I need to continue to work on, but I think I did an excellent job with timing and I feel like I'm getting better and better as I go forward, so I'm pretty satisfied.
LS: Any idea when you might be back in the ring? Do you want to get back in before the end of the year?
AD: I definitely want to get back in before the end of the year. I'm scheduling right now with Al Haymon about camp. He's looking for a fight, hopefully to set it up in December, so I'm hoping that's possible. If not, we're looking at early January. But if I can get 3 fights in 6 months, then I can say this is one of the best years I've had in the last 5 years of my professional boxing career. New Year's came up and times seemed to be getting harder and harder for me, man. Last New Year's, I was with my family and as the ball dropped, that just let me know that was another year wasted. Like I said, going into this year getting 3 fights, if I can get it, then that'd be the best feeling in my life, knowing I'm taking off and trying to get back where I belong in the ring. So hopefully that's possible.
LS: Andre, what's your promotional situation right now? Are you signed to a promoter or how is your situation at the moment?
AD: I'm not. After I was released from 50 Cent, I began my road again with Al Haymon and we're just moving forward from there. We kind of worked with various promoters as we go forward and I had the pleasure in my first comeback fight to fight on Dan Goossen's card, which we all know he passed away recently. That was quite a shock for me, but the last thing I told him was I thanked him for having me on the card and that I really appreciated it. I'm glad I had a chance to share a few words before his passing, but may he rest in peace. The boxing world is going to miss him. He was a good man and I'm glad I was able to share a card with him before he passed.
LS: One of the last times I spoke with you, and you probably don't remember since it was a while ago, you had just left Al Haymon. How important was it for you to get back with him? It seems with a lot of these fighters now, Al Haymon changes their lives and gets them where they need to be. Was that a real important thing for you to get back with him?
AD: That was the most important road. No question about it. I have faith in a lot of these promoters out here, but we all know Al Haymon gets the job done. We all know that he makes the right moves and does the best for his fighters. So strategically and prestige-wise, he definitely gets the job done and that's what I was aiming for. But getting out of my situation, any of these top promoter could've done the job. Like Dan Goossen, [Lou] DiBella, and just all these promoters out there. I had a chance to talk to quite a few of them, but at the end of the day, Al Haymon, I made that move with him and I am VERY pleased to be fighting under his banner again. I really want to thank him for all he's done for me because he didn't have to do what he did. But he definitely sees the talent I have. The drive is newfound. I'm definitely more driven now, so I believe we're definitely a dynamic duo and I'm definitely going to make big things happen for him and he's going to make big things happen for me. It's definitely a mutual decision and a decision I'm guaranteed not to regret and he won't either.
LS: As far as the 50 cent situation, what happened there? You've been very professional because you never once said anything bad about him and you never really talked about the situation. What didn't fit there? It felt like you sat your contract out in order to get out of it. Can you kind of explain a little bit with what happened there?
AD: And I don't have nothing bad to say about it because I mean, it's really just that. It was the fact that I was in a unique situation when it came to me and 50 cent. He tried to make moves for me that unfortunately he wasn't able to get. We all know he was kind of pushed to the back of the line when it came to setting up good fights. I just felt with the time I wasted in the sport and with the time that I had left, that it would be a wiser decision than to continue because the road would've been too tough. That's just my feeling alone. I believe he can make any fighter a pretty big fighter as long as he stays consistent with his work, but as far as me and him, I just felt like he had knots he had to untie and he couldn't do it in time for me to get my career up and running. I wanted to make my way up in this business as fast as possible, but I don't discredit him, man, because he did try. And that was the thing with me. I needed someone who was already there and already knew what I needed and Al Haymon was that guy. Like I said, I have nothing bad to say about it. He [50 has] always told me he'd get me the best fights he could possibly get and I believe he did that, but it just wasn't good enough for me.
LS: Just one more question on that subject and we'll move on. Were you under the impression that Floyd was attached to that contract and what kind of relationship do you have with Floyd now? I know you were working out at his gym and you kind of moved away from that. Can you talk about that a little bit?
AD: Well, I really didn't know the situation with him and Floyd. I knew how it happened when Floyd got locked up and they fell into some troubles with the contracts when Floyd was released. 50 took what he had and ran off with it and that was that, so I had to make due. But after that happened, I had the opportunity to still chill with Floyd when he came to Miami to promote his and Canelo's fight and I was with him the whole time. We talked about it and I told him the situation. He told me his feelings about it and said no, there's no hard feelings. So I have nothing bad to say about that. He's been good towards me ever since and I really appreciate him for that. Now I didn't go back to his gym because my whole intention was for Florida to be the spot for me and this is where I hold my training camps now. You know, it's hot. I can't stand the cold. That's the reason why I left Flint and moved down to Florida and then I realized, hey, this is where I need to be training because everywhere else I try to get to, all year round we have to deal with cold issues [at some point]. And that's one thing I hate, especially when making weight, is the cold [laughs]. So whether I would've been signed to Floyd or doing my thing with Floyd, I would've made this decision regardless. I'm just glad I'm doing training camps here, but if I ever get the opportunity to go Floyd's gym, I will definitely do so and I'll stick with him and have our conversation. I know everything will go well, so big ups to Floyd for always showing love.
LS: Now the thing everyone wants to know Andre is what's next, and more importantly, who do you want next?
AD: Well, I talked about [Carl] Froch getting out of the game. I know he's talking about retirement and I know every fight that he has from here on in that he's definitely looking at retirement because I seen it online. I'm just hoping we can definitely get that fight to happen because he's a tough fighter, man. He's one of the best when it comes to toughness and he's going to give you a show every time he steps in that ring. He's really one of the few Europeans who can really retire and say that he's done it all. The man won and lost championships a few times, but he came back and he's always determined. You can beat Froch 10 times and I bet he comes back in the 11th fight better than the last 10. So I'm hoping to get that fight with him because that's something he'd have to look at as undone on his resume. He can say he beat me it's on record, it's on paper but the world knows I didn't lose that fight. I may have fought the wrong fight, but I still won the fight and I believe I could've did a lot better. He has to look at that and the fans will definitely tell him. It would be a pleasure for me, man, because I want to prove to the world that I don't have a blemish on my record, which I do. That's a question mark for Froch. They can say he beat Dirrell, but can they really say it? I want you to look at the fight. I want you to watch it right in front of me and you'll say, "He beat you that round," and I'll say, "How?" I know he didn't, so I really want that chance again. I'm not going to sit up here and say I'm going to feed into Froch's fight, 'cause I'm not, but it's not going to be the same Dirrell. He's going to get a fight. He's definitely not going to see somebody who's moving as much and I'll have the perfect game plan for Froch and I really want to display it. If he thinks he can beat me, then come and get the job done. If you don't feel like there's nothing to prove right now because I'm in the spot that I'm in, then so be it, but I guarantee you, down the line, I'll be the marquee name at 168 pounds. So I'll want that rematch, whether it's now or later.
By Luis Sandoval | October 31, 2014
LS: First of all, tell me how it feels to be back. I know you were off for a while. How does it feel to be back fighting and back to what you normally do?
AD: I'm glad to be back. I mentally grew up and got that confidence to go back in the ring. I'm looking to take full advantage of it.
LS: Talk to me about your last fight. You scored a 4th round knockout. How did you feel about your performance and how did you feel in the ring?
AD: I felt pretty good about my performance. I wanted to go in there and catch a few punches because I wanted to work on my inside game quite a bit and my counter punching abilities and knew he was giving me an opportunity to do so. He was pretty strong; stronger than I really anticipated. I noticed in the ring watching my performance that I was catching, but I wasn't turning him enough. That's part of the things I need to continue to work on, but I think I did an excellent job with timing and I feel like I'm getting better and better as I go forward, so I'm pretty satisfied.
LS: Any idea when you might be back in the ring? Do you want to get back in before the end of the year?
AD: I definitely want to get back in before the end of the year. I'm scheduling right now with Al Haymon about camp. He's looking for a fight, hopefully to set it up in December, so I'm hoping that's possible. If not, we're looking at early January. But if I can get 3 fights in 6 months, then I can say this is one of the best years I've had in the last 5 years of my professional boxing career. New Year's came up and times seemed to be getting harder and harder for me, man. Last New Year's, I was with my family and as the ball dropped, that just let me know that was another year wasted. Like I said, going into this year getting 3 fights, if I can get it, then that'd be the best feeling in my life, knowing I'm taking off and trying to get back where I belong in the ring. So hopefully that's possible.
LS: Andre, what's your promotional situation right now? Are you signed to a promoter or how is your situation at the moment?
AD: I'm not. After I was released from 50 Cent, I began my road again with Al Haymon and we're just moving forward from there. We kind of worked with various promoters as we go forward and I had the pleasure in my first comeback fight to fight on Dan Goossen's card, which we all know he passed away recently. That was quite a shock for me, but the last thing I told him was I thanked him for having me on the card and that I really appreciated it. I'm glad I had a chance to share a few words before his passing, but may he rest in peace. The boxing world is going to miss him. He was a good man and I'm glad I was able to share a card with him before he passed.
LS: One of the last times I spoke with you, and you probably don't remember since it was a while ago, you had just left Al Haymon. How important was it for you to get back with him? It seems with a lot of these fighters now, Al Haymon changes their lives and gets them where they need to be. Was that a real important thing for you to get back with him?
AD: That was the most important road. No question about it. I have faith in a lot of these promoters out here, but we all know Al Haymon gets the job done. We all know that he makes the right moves and does the best for his fighters. So strategically and prestige-wise, he definitely gets the job done and that's what I was aiming for. But getting out of my situation, any of these top promoter could've done the job. Like Dan Goossen, [Lou] DiBella, and just all these promoters out there. I had a chance to talk to quite a few of them, but at the end of the day, Al Haymon, I made that move with him and I am VERY pleased to be fighting under his banner again. I really want to thank him for all he's done for me because he didn't have to do what he did. But he definitely sees the talent I have. The drive is newfound. I'm definitely more driven now, so I believe we're definitely a dynamic duo and I'm definitely going to make big things happen for him and he's going to make big things happen for me. It's definitely a mutual decision and a decision I'm guaranteed not to regret and he won't either.
LS: As far as the 50 cent situation, what happened there? You've been very professional because you never once said anything bad about him and you never really talked about the situation. What didn't fit there? It felt like you sat your contract out in order to get out of it. Can you kind of explain a little bit with what happened there?
AD: And I don't have nothing bad to say about it because I mean, it's really just that. It was the fact that I was in a unique situation when it came to me and 50 cent. He tried to make moves for me that unfortunately he wasn't able to get. We all know he was kind of pushed to the back of the line when it came to setting up good fights. I just felt with the time I wasted in the sport and with the time that I had left, that it would be a wiser decision than to continue because the road would've been too tough. That's just my feeling alone. I believe he can make any fighter a pretty big fighter as long as he stays consistent with his work, but as far as me and him, I just felt like he had knots he had to untie and he couldn't do it in time for me to get my career up and running. I wanted to make my way up in this business as fast as possible, but I don't discredit him, man, because he did try. And that was the thing with me. I needed someone who was already there and already knew what I needed and Al Haymon was that guy. Like I said, I have nothing bad to say about it. He [50 has] always told me he'd get me the best fights he could possibly get and I believe he did that, but it just wasn't good enough for me.
LS: Just one more question on that subject and we'll move on. Were you under the impression that Floyd was attached to that contract and what kind of relationship do you have with Floyd now? I know you were working out at his gym and you kind of moved away from that. Can you talk about that a little bit?
AD: Well, I really didn't know the situation with him and Floyd. I knew how it happened when Floyd got locked up and they fell into some troubles with the contracts when Floyd was released. 50 took what he had and ran off with it and that was that, so I had to make due. But after that happened, I had the opportunity to still chill with Floyd when he came to Miami to promote his and Canelo's fight and I was with him the whole time. We talked about it and I told him the situation. He told me his feelings about it and said no, there's no hard feelings. So I have nothing bad to say about that. He's been good towards me ever since and I really appreciate him for that. Now I didn't go back to his gym because my whole intention was for Florida to be the spot for me and this is where I hold my training camps now. You know, it's hot. I can't stand the cold. That's the reason why I left Flint and moved down to Florida and then I realized, hey, this is where I need to be training because everywhere else I try to get to, all year round we have to deal with cold issues [at some point]. And that's one thing I hate, especially when making weight, is the cold [laughs]. So whether I would've been signed to Floyd or doing my thing with Floyd, I would've made this decision regardless. I'm just glad I'm doing training camps here, but if I ever get the opportunity to go Floyd's gym, I will definitely do so and I'll stick with him and have our conversation. I know everything will go well, so big ups to Floyd for always showing love.
LS: Now the thing everyone wants to know Andre is what's next, and more importantly, who do you want next?
AD: Well, I talked about [Carl] Froch getting out of the game. I know he's talking about retirement and I know every fight that he has from here on in that he's definitely looking at retirement because I seen it online. I'm just hoping we can definitely get that fight to happen because he's a tough fighter, man. He's one of the best when it comes to toughness and he's going to give you a show every time he steps in that ring. He's really one of the few Europeans who can really retire and say that he's done it all. The man won and lost championships a few times, but he came back and he's always determined. You can beat Froch 10 times and I bet he comes back in the 11th fight better than the last 10. So I'm hoping to get that fight with him because that's something he'd have to look at as undone on his resume. He can say he beat me it's on record, it's on paper but the world knows I didn't lose that fight. I may have fought the wrong fight, but I still won the fight and I believe I could've did a lot better. He has to look at that and the fans will definitely tell him. It would be a pleasure for me, man, because I want to prove to the world that I don't have a blemish on my record, which I do. That's a question mark for Froch. They can say he beat Dirrell, but can they really say it? I want you to look at the fight. I want you to watch it right in front of me and you'll say, "He beat you that round," and I'll say, "How?" I know he didn't, so I really want that chance again. I'm not going to sit up here and say I'm going to feed into Froch's fight, 'cause I'm not, but it's not going to be the same Dirrell. He's going to get a fight. He's definitely not going to see somebody who's moving as much and I'll have the perfect game plan for Froch and I really want to display it. If he thinks he can beat me, then come and get the job done. If you don't feel like there's nothing to prove right now because I'm in the spot that I'm in, then so be it, but I guarantee you, down the line, I'll be the marquee name at 168 pounds. So I'll want that rematch, whether it's now or later.
Did I say it's unbelievable friend or did I say lets put a topless krackdagawd in your avi for a week? 
Dirrell dont got em.
its always the smaller ripped up cats that want to sully the avi of the black man of steel...but i accept breh
Flint town/fly city