On Friday September 26, 2014 the LA Battle of the Badges will be headlined by two of the best fighters in the state when they battle it out for the UCA Cruiserweight State Championship. #1 ranked Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff’s Office will look to dethrone the undisputed Cruiserweight Champion Brian Stevens, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. The UCA caught up with the (10-1) Taylor to ask him a few questions about his upcoming fight.
UCA- What Gym are you training at to prepare for the fight?
TT– UFC Gym, Torrance, CA
UCA- Who is your trainer?
TT– Vance Bejarano.
UCA- If you had to pick one fighter whose style most resembles yours who would it be?
TT– Canelo Alvarez.
UCA- How often are you training to prepare for the fight?
TT– At least 5 days a week. Lots of explosive power workouts and cardio.
UCA- Are you working on anything specific in training camp to prepare for fight?
TT– Explosiveness, counter punching, and working angles.
UCA- Is your training camp more intense compared to your other training camps?
TT– I train the same for every fight. I train as if I’m going to fight Mayweather Himself!!
UCA- Do you feel your trainer will have you prepared for anything that happens Friday night?
TT– Absolutely! He is very skilled and knowledgeable. He throws different scenarios at me all the time.
UCA- Are you sparring with guys similar to Stevens’ style and stature?
TT– It’s pretty hard to find exact matches to Stevens but my sparring partners are very skilled in the sport of boxing! They really make me work!
UCA- Are you a fighter who watches video on your opponent?
TT– Yes. If I can find a video, I’ll watch and analyze but I can’t totally depend on old videos because fighters train differently for different fights and improve as I do.
UCA- Do you feel you have any advantages over Stevens?
TT– I feel I’m faster and more powerful than Stevens.
UCA- Do you feel this will be your toughest challenge?
TT– Not sure. I’ve had some tough fights in the past and some really good sparring partners. I’ll have to see when we get in the ring.
UCA- Are you preparing for a tough grinding fight?
TT– Absolutely! I’m prepared to throw 100 punches a round if I had to! I love hard fights! The harder the fight, the more focused I become. I will step up and be prepared for anything Stevens throws at me.
UCA- Do you feel you have the style to beat Stevens?
TT– Absolutely! I’m patient and can adjust my style that best suits the situation.
UCA- Do you feel Stevens brings something to the ring that you have never dealt with before?
TT– Stevens is tall like Hotchkiss but much more technical. He throws punches in bunches. Never dealt with a taller opponent that is a good combination puncher like Stevens.
UCA- Is there anything that worries you about Stevens?
TT– I can’t say that anything about Stevens worries me. I know what I’m up against and I’ll be prepared for it.
UCA- If the fight is close going into the 3rd round will you come hard and push the pace to win the round?
TT- Of course! I’ll do what it takes to win!
UCA- Will you have to put on the best performance of your career to take Stevens Title?
TT– Every time I step in the ring I plan on giving the best performance of my career. I don’t plan and train to win, I plan and train to dominate!
UCA- What will you be thinking about as you walk to the ring?
TT- “I WILL NOT LOSE! I REFUSE to let my supporters down!!”
UCA- Have you envisioned in your mind how the fight will end?
TT- Yes I have envisioned it. It will not go to the score cards.