A Trainer and his Fighter

Name: Coach Sarge
Gym: Dreamland Boxing, San Jose
http://www.dreamlandboxing.org/index.html

On April 20, 2013, #1 ranked Matt Wurdinger, Santa Clara PD will challenge James Davis, CDCR Folsom Prison for his UCA Light Heavyweight Title.

1. When did you start training Matt Wurdinger?

OVER 2 ½ YEARS AGO.

2. What was your first impression of Matt?

A) AS A BOXER: HIS BASIC FUNDAMENTAL BOXING SKILLS WERE IN PLACE, YET THE NEED WAS TO INTRODUCE NEW TECHNIQUES AND HONE SKILLS.

B) AS A PERSON: RESPECTABLE, EXCELLENT ROLE MODEL FOR THE
YOUTH, POSSESSES EXEMPLARY SOCIAL SKILLS, GREAT HUSBAND,
FATHER, FRIEND, AND ASSOCIATE.

3. When did you realize Matt was a special athlete?

THE FIRST TIME HE STARTED IN THE GYM. HE LISTENS, TAKES AND
APPLIES DIRECTION WELL. HIS ABILITY TO FOCUS IS EXCEPTIONAL. HE
HAS THE HEART OF A CHAMPION.

4. Describe Matt’s work ethic in the gym.

EXCELLENT.

5. How do you think Matt would do as a professional fighter?

HE WOULD MAKE THE TRANSITION WELL. AS BOTH AN AMATEUR
AND PRO TRAINER, I UNDERSTAND IT IS A BIG TRANSITION
FROM AMATEUR TO PRO AND THERE WOULD BE MUCH MORE
CONSISTENT TIME REQUIRED IN THE GYM, WITH MORE PRESSURE IN
TRAINING. IF HE WOULD BE ABLE TO PUT THE TIME IN, HE WOULD
DEFINITELY BE A WORLD TITLE HOLDER.

6. Have you had a chance to watch any video of Davis?

YES.

7. Were you able to pick things out of the video that will help Matt in the fight?

YES.

8. As a trainer, is watching video of your boxer’s opponent important to you?

YES.

9. Do you have Matt working on different things specifically for Davis? Can you tell us what they are?      

A) YES.   

B) I RESPECTFULLY DECLINE TO DISCLOSE STRATEGY AT THIS TIME. I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU HAVE WINNING TACTICS THAT YOUR OPPONENT IS NOT AWARE OF – THAT’S A PLUS. IT IS BEST NOT TO DIVULGE INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP YOUR OPPONENT TO PREPARE HIMSELF AGAINST YOUR BOXER.

10. What are your thoughts on this fight from a stylistic perspective? Will Matt have to change his style to beat Davis?

A) STYLES MAKE FIGHTS.

B) IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT DAVIS BRINGS TO THE TABLE, MATT’S VERY WELL TRAINED/SCHOOLED TO ADAPT TO ANY STYLE, THAT IS WHY WE DON’T ALWAYS DEPEND ON VIDEO. I TRAIN MY BOXERS TO BE
ADAPTABLE, NO MATTER WHAT.

11. Is there anything that worries you about Davis? Speed, power, experience, etc.

NO.

12. What is the last thing you will tell Matt before he leaves the corner to fight Davis?

I REALLY CONSIDER THE CONVERSATIONS IN THE CORNER TO BE
PRIVILEGED BETWEEN TRAINER AND BOXER, TO HELP HIM WIN THE
FIGHT.

13. What is your prediction?

I BELIEVE MATT CAN STOP HIS OPPONENT OR WIN BY DECISION (if judges and referees remain impartial).

14. Anything you would like to add?

IN MY MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, AT TIMES, JUDGES AND
REFEREES HAVE PRE-CONCEIVED OUTCOMES (partiality – whether
geographic, personal, political, etc.) PRIOR TO THE BOUTS EVEN
TAKING PLACE. THUS THE INCORRECT BOXERS ARE GIVEN THE
DECISIONS…AND/OR, REFEREES GET TOO INVOLVED IN INTERRUPTING
THE CONTEST, OR, NOT INVOLVED ENOUGH WHEN FOULS OCCUR. IF
FAIRNESS AND HONESTY ARE PARAMOUNT WITHIN THE EVENT, AND
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ALL CONCERNED, IT WILL BE A GREAT EVENT.

RESPECTFULLY, SGT. DAVID NEELEMAN, USMC