Interview by Pattee Mak – February 12, 2012.
OMG!! You and I are probably wondering how in the world did Scott “Cujo” Sigmon (22-3,12KOs) get his upcoming 10 round fight against former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik (38-2-0, 33 KO’s) of Ohio. Originally back in February he signed his contract for a bout to be held on April 14, 2012 against Pavlik but it never happened. Now a few months later the bout is moved to the main event and will be held live on ESPN2 on June 8, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in no less… Vegas. I’ve previously interviewed Cujo on two occasions. Once last year when he was preparing for his fight against Chris Fitzpatrick and back in February this year. There was so much hype created around the Fitzpatrick fight as there always is with Cujo. Cujo is currently the WBC USNBC super middleweight champ. His record is 22 wins, 3 losses with 12 wins coming by way of knockout His debut fight was on May 9, 2008 against Abdul Gillard (2-0). He [Cujo] won by TKO round 3 of 4. His last fight was on March 30, 2012 against Carlton Holland where he held onto his WBC USNBC super middleweight title. He won the fight by Unanimous Decision. Cujo is a self- proclaimed promoter and brings excitement to any arena he fights in. It was great to chat once again with him in between his training and about his upcoming fight.
Pattee Mak: Well hello once again!! Last time we chatted we were discussing what happened to your bout against Pavlik on April 14, 2012. Now I see there is a turn of events and on the 8th you’ll be in the ring with him. What do you think changed in the eyes of the promoter or Pavlik?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: I believe there was never an issue with me as the opponent. Kelly just wanted one date while Top Rank wanted another. Just poor communication. That’s it. It would be absurd to think someone of Kelly’s stature would not take a fight against me with my resume for any other reason.
Pattee Mak: Will you be fighting for any belt(s)?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Defending my belt against Kelly would be disrespectful in my opinion. Kelly does not need the belt, Kelly makes the belt.
Pattee Mak: So there will be no belt on the table?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Correct. This is a non-title bout. I am just a tune up for Kelly to move on to bigger things I am told.
Pattee Mak: You know I have to ask you this… Contracts signed by all parties?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Yes I have agreed to the terms of my contract and Pavlik has already said I will eating through a straw after this….little does he know I love smoothies and with my altered diet I may be able to make 160 all thanks to the Pavlik diet plan!!!!
Pattee Mak: LOL
Pattee Mak: Originally you mentioned to me that back in February you weren’t happy with the money they offered you. Now it’s April. Is the purse the same or did it change?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: It is not the money I am happy with, it is the exposure of the fight being on ESPN2 so the boxing world can see what happens!
Pattee Mak: I’d love to ask you what your purse is but I know better. LOL.
Pattee Mak: In this particular fight between the two of you, Pavlik in my eyes is considered the seasoned fighter. What will be your game plan going into the fight?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: I mean the only two guys that beat him thus far have used speed and movement to counteract his power. Martinez and Hopkins of course. But I am a much different style fighter and plan on employing a much different tactic.
Pattee Mak: Yes you are correct, Pavlik has 2 losses, 1 with Sergio Martinez and the other with Bernard Hopkins. Now the fight’s in Vegas and we know Vegas is all about gamblin. What do you think the odds for this fight will be, in your own opinion?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Well I hope they are astronomical because I am going to make a lot of my friends a lot of money. I would say off of the statistics I would say I will be 30 to 1 underdog at least. But I really hope there is an over/under that I will be stopped.
Pattee Mak: You are the underdog going into this fight. Why do you think you can beat Pavlik?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Pavlik has the tangibles, I have the intangibles.
Pattee Mak: Can you tell me what tactic you plan on implicating that night?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Lets just say it will be very unexpected what I plan on doing.
Pattee Mak: What have you studied about Pavlik?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: I have watched a lot of his fights. He has a simple style that presents a very complex problem. Either you have to be able to back him up, which I have never seen anyone do with any regularity or give a lot of angles and stay away from his right hand. Also he has a great left hook that is overlooked all too often because of the big right hand. He also has a very strange timing on his 1, 2 and an extremely underrated jab. He is basic but has perfected it!
Pattee Mak: You mentioned previously to me that you typically train yourself for your fights and now I heard you are going to Camp. Is this the case for this fight?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Indeed I will continue to train myself, although I am realistic with myself on my flaws which most fighters are not. I am self-motivated, so it works for me. Hopefully this fact will help make me an even bigger underdog! In most people’s eyes it will.
Pattee Mak: Who will be working your corner on the 8th?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: Bruce Frank of Staunton,VA will be the Chief Second. Leasa Wright will be the cutwoman and Josiah Beasley will handle the warm up and be the assist. They are all quality people and the chemistry in the corner is impeccable.
By the way Leasa is the best on cuts in the business!
Pattee Mak: Were there any disappointed fans back in February when they received the news that you weren’t fighting Pavlik and how did they react?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: There was a lot of anger with my fans and they let him know it on Twitter.
Pattee Mak: I know you have a huge fan base and they will be able to view it on ESPN. Have you heard from your fans if any of them will be taking this trip with you?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: I know about 100 or so of them will only be satisfied with the in person experience but I am glad most of my supporters will be able to be more cost effective and watch the broadcast now.
Pattee Mak: If someone wanted to purchase tickets or reserve a room whom should they contact?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: They should go through the Top Rank website or the Venue’s site.
Pattee Mak: What should your fans except from you on the 8th?
Scott Cujo Sigmon: As always a war. I don’t look for a way out or an excuse to quit. I am a throwback fighter. It is sad to see guys on the sports biggest stages look for ways out or just pack it in and try to survive. People pay to see you lay it all on the line nothing less. If Pavlik expects me to quit or be intimidated he is dead wrong. People are talking like I have no chance, like he is more than a man? Last time I checked he breaths the same air I breath and bleeds just as I bleed.
Pattee Mak: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to me. I’d love to interview Pavlik and get his side of the story and take on this bout also.
Scott Cujo Sigmon: I would love to hear what Pavlik has to say also. As always thanks for the opportunity for the interview. Keep doing the great job that you do and I will continue to represent this sport how it should be done, by laying it all on the line in the ring every time!
For questions or comments please find me on twitter or facebook under “Pattee Mak”.
Feel free to follow Cujo on twitter @ScottCujoSigmon or find him on Facebook Scott Cujo Sigmon.
You can also view Cujo’s event page on facebook for his June 8th fight at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/307676372634207/?notif_t=plan_user_invited.
[The above bout is subject to change.]
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.
Looking forward to another great win for Scott “Cujo” Sigmon…Scott is my idol whom I admire for his strength, determination and above all “heart”. He is so much to so many people. Thank you Scott for all that you do. Now let’s go get him and show him how its done in Virginia!!!! Go Scott!!!!