By Pattee Mak | September 19, 2012
On Thursday, October 18, 2012, middleweight Thomas “Souljah” Falowo (7-1-0, 5 KO’s) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island will be fightin 6 rounds against Michael Walchuk (9-6-0, 2 KO’s) from Canada at the Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island. CES will be promoting the event.
Pattee Mak: So let’s get down to business. This will be your 9th fight on the 18th. Tell me what do you know about your opponent?
Falowo: He has 15 fights so he has some experience. I watched the fight when he fought Vlah. He has some good combinations when he throws but he’s not too busy.
Pattee Mak: You and Walchuk last fought on the same Twin River card on July 19, 2012. Did you end up speaking with him or watching his fight against Vladine Biosse?
Falowo: I didn’t meet him. I seen him at the weigh ins. I watched some of the fight but was distracted by some of the people in the crowd but I watched it online afterwards to get an idea of his style.
Pattee Mak: Now I know you know Vlah, did you get a chance to talk to him about your opponent?
Falowo: I actually did and he told me a few things. Go to his body. Body shots. Break him down early and everything else will fall into place.
Pattee Mak: You know the last six fights Walchuk’s fought he only won one. Any worries on your end that’s he’s coming in for the KO or win?
Falowo: No one comes into the fight to loose so I’m sure he’ll be prepared for my fight. He took the fight with Vlah on short notice. He has 6-8 weeks in time to prepare for me so I know he’s coming to fight. I don’t stop training and I train year round. This is what I do. I don’t under estimate anyone. I put in the work in the gym. That’s my confidence booster.
Pattee Mak: Walchuk has had more professional fights than you. Do you feel he might have more experience than you in the ring?
Falowo: He has more rounds under his belt. He’s been in the ring with a lot of tough people. I have been in the ring with the best. I’ve sparred with the best. I had some quality opponents. I’ve sparred with top-notch fighters in the gym since I’ve been boxing, so experience isn’t really an issue. I’ve learned a lot in the ring.
Pattee Mak: How are you preparing yourself mentally for this fight?
Falowo: I always train very hard and that helps me mentally. My progression in the gym gives me that extra boost.
Pattee Mak: What’s your game plan?
Falowo: Everything is set up with the jab. And I will continue to pressure him with body punches and combinations. I’m not gonna do anything different. I’m just gonna do it better.
Pattee Mak: I believe you are still training at Manfredo’s gym. How is training going with Peter for this fight?
Falowo: Training has been going great. I’m training Monday through Saturday. Each week includes 2 to 3 days of sparring, 3 to 4 days of running along with mixed days of focus mitts, bag drills and strength and conditioning.
Pattee Mak: I’m assuming he’ll be working your corner that nite?
Falowo: Of course I’ve been with Manfredo since I’ve started boxing and there is going to be no changes. He is still my head trainer along with David Keefe and Steve Maze working my corner.
Pattee Mak: I was present at your fight against Samuel Clarkson on May 24, 2012. You lost by split decision. I know you, your fans, the audience and others thought that you should have won that fight. Any words you’d like to comment because if you didn’t loose you would have a perfect record right now.
Falowo: Everyone that was at the fight and seen what happened knows that I won. Nevertheless, there is a loss on my record but it is what it is. I have to move on and keep on fighting. I’m gonna get to the top regardless. I’m confident in my abilities and I know what I can do.
Pattee Mak: Did you end up watching your fight afterwards and is there anything you learned from your loss against Clarkson?
Falowo: There were times when he caught me a bit off balance which may have given the impression that he did more damage than he did. So my footwork is one thing that I have been working on along with building on my power.
Pattee Mak: As you get deeper into your boxing career your opponents are more than likely going to get tougher. Is there anyone you’d like to fight in the future?
Falowo: No one set on my mind. I just want to go in there and get my experience. I’m just looking to fight right now. I do follow middleweight fighters on boxrec and youtube that I may end up fighting eventually. I keep busy by getting in the ring as much as possible and fight. Not many people at 160 in New England that are possible opponents.
Pattee Mak: Souljah has a unique spelling to it. How did your ring name come about and the spelling?
Falowo: I was sparring a pro and standing in the middle of ring exchanging punches, my shirt was half torn off and my mouth bloody.
Pattee Mak: Ok sounds like a great picture moment…
Falowo: …and [Jason “Big Six] Estrada was watching me spar and he said “We are gonna call you “The Souljah” and it’s not gonna be spelt the normal way.” So he gave me the name and how I was gonna spell it and since that day it kinda stuck.
Pattee Mak: Tickets… Should someone contact you on facebook for tickets?
Falowo: Yes I definitely have tickets to sell. Anyone can find me on facebook for tickets or text or call my cell. Anyone can also locate my on twitter @TFalowo or just inbox me on facebook.
Pattee Mak: You have a cheering squad every time you fight. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
Falowo: I’m grateful for all the love I’ve received thus far. This love and support is much appreciated and as long as you have faith in me I’ll continue to give you my all and show you what The Souljah is all about. On the 18th I plan on giving you a hell of a show.
Pattee Mak: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to me. You have a great future ahead of you. Keep me posted on your progress. Should you have any questions or comments feel free to comment below or locate me on facebook at Pattee Mak or twitter @PatteeMak.
“Closing Statement” will also feature on the card the main event Joseph “CHIP” Perez vs. Chazz “Magnificent” McDowell, tbd vs. Joe Gardner, Richard Gingras vs. Richard Starnino, Kevin Cobbs vs. Alexander Mancera, Alex Amparo vs. Nick Lavin, Alexis Santos vs. Joshua Harris, Jon Smith vs. Denis Paiva Jr and Michelle Vincent vs. Ivana Coleman.
All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Doors open 6:00 p.m. with the nonstop action beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets are priced at $40.00, $75.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and can be purchased directly from Falowo or by calling CES – 401 724-2253, online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Players Club booth at Twin River or through any TicketMaster location.
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.
