Interview by Pattee Mak – February 28, 2012
Originally Scott “Cujo” Sigmon [21-3, 12 KO’s] of Virginia and I planned a one on one interview about his upcoming 10 round fight on April 14, 2012 in Vegas against former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik (37-2-0, 32 KO’s) of Ohio. Unfortunately, Cujo asked me to revise the interview based on recent discouraging news he received about this bout.
Our conversation was via email and details about this fight are as follows:
Pattee Mak: You emailed me the 1st and signature page of your contract. Is that your signature on the Contract?
Cujo: Yes it may look like a 2nd grader’s handwriting but that is indeed my signature.
Pattee Mak: Your contract was executed on what date by you along with whom? Also do you know if Pavlik executed his contract?
Cujo: I signed my contract on the 20th. Pavlik never signed his and supposedly never knew about me. Even though Bob Arum announced the bout. Pavlik says he had no idea?!?
Pattee Mak: Who originally contacted you from Top Rank to discuss the bout?
Cujo: Originally a booking agent and then a Top Rank matchmaker.
Pattee Mak: At any time did you contact Top Rank, his manager or the matchmaker to see if Pavlik executed his contract?
Cujo: Yes. They told me not to worry about it. I could announce the fight and that he would sign shortly.
Pattee Mak: This contract was never physically prepared by you or altered by you to make it appear that you were fighting Pavlik?
Cujo: Whatever helps them sleep at night.
Pattee Mak: Recently you were told the fight wasn’t going to happen. When were you told this and by whom?
Cujo: Actually Kelly announced himself via multiple social media networks.
Pattee Mak: In your own words what did he announce? Was it that he wasn’t fighting you or he has another scheduled fight elsewhere?
Cujo: He wants to fight someone that will lay down in Mexico March 17th. He wants a sparring session not a fight.
Pattee Mak: In your own opinion, why do you think this fight isn’t happening now?
Cujo: Kelly wanted a guy with a nice record that would come and be scared to death of him. Someone he would hit once and they would dive on the ground in fear of his “devastating” power. He wanted a sparring session. When he saw my name he knew I would be coming to fight. He wants no risk between him and Chavez. It’s flattering to know someone of Kelly’s stature sees me as a risk!
Pattee Mak: Has there been any comments made to you from Pavlik directly or via the internet on a press release?
Listen to Scott on FightKings Radio
Cujo: This is where the problem for me is. Kelly says there never was a Sigmon bout. That he wished he could fight the kid, he is horrible. That’s what he said about me. First off I am not a kid. I am more man then he will ever be. I honor my word. I don’t bail on my fans after they spent their working wages on tickets to my fight when I am not getting paid enough like he did. I mean someone making barely over minimum wage buys a $200.00 ticket and Kelly is pissed because he is only getting $70,000.00. That’s not a man? That’s an arrogant pig! And as for there never was a Sigmon bout, Pattee you’ve seen the copy of my signature and a Top Rank matchmaker’s signature on the contract. And on the 24th of February, Bob Arum, Pavlik’s promoter announced that there was a Sigmon bout! So his promoter, his matchmaker and his opponent agreed to it. So by process of elimination that leaves one person that turned it down. Mrs. Pavlik!!! He has the nerve to slander me when he barely just beat a hand picked guy that went on to lose to a 3-5 fighter? Wished he could fight me? I am horrible? Well my question to Pavlik is “Why did you not sign the contract?” You knew it existed, which was your first lie. And you wished you could fight me, which is your second lie. Man up!!!!
Pattee Mak: Are you still willing to fight Pavlik if the opportunity arose?
Cujo: Pattee there are multiple ways for people to say they don’t want to fight you. They could spring it on me two weeks prior or offer some super low payday $10,000.00 or so. But if they give me 6-8 weeks notice and are realistic with the money and show me Kelly’s signature, I think it is pretty clear I want this fight. It is time for this fallen legend to pass the torch.
Pattee Mak: Anything you’d like to say to Pavlik?
Cujo: Guys like Pavlik are ruining the sport. What happened to the days when it was about fighting? A few people have called me and texted me saying don’t call Kelly out, you may upset people. What the hell is this sport about? It is about conflict. IT IS ABOUT FIGHTING!!!! But see people today want to be all friendly that’s why no body cares anymore. They want to see someone like me come in and lay it all on the line. The boxing public has grown tired of being told who the superstars are because they know they are being lied to. I hope the powers that be in boxing do the fans a favor and put Pavlik and I in together.
Pattee Mak: What’s next for Cujo?
Cujo: I am gonna try and fight 2-3 times including 2 title defenses between now and April 14th.
Pattee Mak: Have you heard any disappointments from your fans because this bout is not taking place now?
Cujo: They are in disbelief a legend such as Pavlik would not honor his word. See the top guys are too conservative. He wants an easy fight. His fans seem to think he will stop me inside of three, is that not easy enough?
Pattee Mak: As always it was great talking with you. Thank you for this interview. Keep me posted in days to come.
Feel free to comment below or find me on facebook under Pattee Mak.
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
I am a friend, fan and also workout under Scott Cujo Sigmon. We were expecting to see a fight with him and Pavlik. We spent last weekend trying to get plane tickets to Vegas. It was a disappointment the fight was canceled, but here is where the real problem is…Kelly Pavlik needs to man up, stand up and fight. It takes a coward to pull the stunt he did. Does he have fans?? I don’t see how..If Scott pulled a stunt like this do you think I would still follow him? Boxing has become more popular recently. More young kids are getting into it. What kind of example is Pavlik setting for the younger generation? Lying, cowardness, not being a man of your word??? Scott Sigmon is what defines a “true boxer”. He puts his heart and soul into it, not just in it for the money apparently like Pavlik. Many times Scott has helped me out with tickets because he cares I see his fights and is there to support him. He does not back out on fights, he does not back down on fights, furthermore; he does not renig on contracts! Scott “Cujo” Sigmon is a man, a man with heart, the passion for boxing that builds character and greatness in the sport of boxing. Scott can go to bed at night knowing he has achieved his greatness with integrity and honesty. Can you say that Kelly Pavlik?