Interview by Pattee Mak | July 1, 2014-Interview
On July 26, 2014, Michael McLaughlin (8-1-1, 4 ko’s) a southpaw will be returning to the ring against Sam Girard (17-7-1) from Rhode Island at the Royale Nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts. McLaughlin has kept busy over the years, while Girard well … he hasn’t been in the ring since 1998 and is now making his return once again. Hmmm… Both fighters will be fighting for the vacant USA New England welterweight title.
Pattee Mak: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Your 11th fight is a few weeks away. You are meeting up with someone who hasn’t fought in years. I’m assuming this would be a major advantage for you. What are your thoughts?
McLaughlin: Hello, yes he’s not fought in a few years but is very experienced and that hasn’t left him and I’m sure he would of been training hard for this so I’m not going to be thinkin this is an advantage to me.
Pattee Mak: Since Girard hasn’t fought in years did you find it difficult to do your homework about him and obtain the knowledge of his fighting style?
McLaughlin: No. I’ve not watched him on youtube. I know there’s a few fights on it but I leave that to my trainers Martin Grealish, Sean Manion and Brian Powers to check for me and let me know what I need to do.
Pattee Mak: Do you know why Girard has decided now to come back or left the sport back in the first place back in 1998?
McLaughlin: No I don’t know maybe like a lot of boxers that retire feel that they have got the hunger back and want to get back in the ring for another few fights.
Pattee Mak: You are fighting for the vacant USA New England welterweight title. This is your first title shot. What does this mean to you?
McLaughlin: It means a lot and I’m looking forward to taking the belt back home after the fight.
Pattee Mak: Am I correct to say this could be your toughest fight to date?
McLaughlin: Yes well I’m treating it as my toughest fight anyway.
Pattee Mak: During your last fight against Pedro Gonzalez and above your right eye and below your eye brow was pretty bloody. I’m assuming you had gotten some stitches. Any worries that this previous cut might open up again?
McLaughlin: Yes I got 6 stitches on my left eye and 4 on my right from him hitting me with his head all fight, I was ahead by 3 rounds and at the start of the 4th I Couldn’t see out of my left eye with the blood in it. I was complaining to my corner but they said I needed to get thru the 4th or it would of been a no contest so with only being able to see right out of one eye I danced round him and finished the 4th and got the win. They have healed up good and don’t think they will be a problem for the fight.
Pattee Mak: You recently joined the Dorchester CrossFit 617. Why the change?
McLaughlin: I just needed that extra push for the fight and the CrossFit is giving me that. They are getting my fitness to a new level and I’m enjoying their training.
Pattee Mak: Any predictions for this fight?
McLaughlin: It’s Gonna be a McLaughlin win of course .
Pattee Mak: Should you be victorious on the 26th, does Girard have the right to a rematch to fight once again for the title?
McLaughlin: No cause the title is vacant at the moment so he doesn’t.
Pattee Mak: You haven’t fought in Ireland since your pro debut in 2010 and your 2nd fight in 2011. Would you like to return to Ireland for that 3rd fight?
McLaughlin: Yes I would like to get a fight back home before the year is out maybe for the Irish welterweight title which would be great if that could be made.
Pattee Mak: What would you like to say to your opponent?
McLaughlin: Nothing.
Pattee Mak: LOL Short and sweet.
Pattee Mak: Are you currently living in the states or going back and forth to Ireland?
McLaughlin: I’m living over here now 2 years. I have not been home yet but maybe take a trip back this year at some point hopefully for a fight.
Pattee Mak: Again thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Good luck to you on the 26th. Unfortunately I have a prior commitment that day. Big 6 Entertainment always puts on great shows at the Royale. Are you selling tickets and real quick what would you like to say to your fans?
McLaughlin: Yes the tickets are going fast so thanks everyone for the support and I’ll put on a good show for everyone!
Tickets are $40.00 general admission and $75.00 for VIP seating. For tickets, please call 617-312-5059 or visit royaleboston.com.
Other bouts on the card:
JASON ESTRADA VS. STEVE VUKOSA (Main Event)
RUSSELL LAMOUR JR. VS. JOHN HUTCHINSON
JOSEPH PEREZ VS. AGUSTINE MAURAS
FREDDY SANCHEZ VS. RAFAEL FRANCIS
JOEY WILSON VS. JIMMY SMITH
PAUL GONSALVES VS. SERGIO CABRERA
JAY KELLY VS. BRIAN DIAZ
MICAL WEISBERG VS. RAMEIL SHELTON
CARLOS CANDELARIO VS. MOISES RIVERA
TRAVIS DEMKO VS. PAULO SOUZA
GEORGE YAWO VS. FELIX SANTIAGO
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.
