October 15, 2014 – Interview by Pattee Mak
Middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca [11-0-0, 8 Ko’s] from Whitman, Massachusetts is looking forward to his upcoming bout on All Hallow’s Eve, Thursday, 10-30-2014 when he goes up against Ryan “Dangerous” Davis [24-14-0, 9 Kos’] at the Memorial Hall, Plymouth, Massachusetts on the undercard of Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor [23-2-0] vs. Andrew Farmer [18-2-0]. Portions of the card will be shown live on FOX Sports 1. The card will be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. DeLuca last stepped in the ring when he faced Gundrick King [18-13-0] and won by TKO round 3 of 6 at the Fight to Educate card at the Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire.
Pattee Mak: You have only a few weeks away before stepping in the ring. What do you know about the “Dangerous” one?
DeLuca: I know he’s a tough journeyman that is always in shape. He went 12 rounds with Zab Judah and gives many young guys like myself a challenge.
Pattee Mak: Davis has spent more time in the ring than you and went up against some pretty tough opponents. His record isn’t a perfect one and hasn’t had a win since 2012 but do you feel at all bothersome by this?
DeLuca: His losses came from contenders and world champions. I don’t wrap my “head” around the number of losses; it’s who he lost to. Davis has lost to two contenders so I need to be conscious of his durability.
Pattee Mak: Would you say that Davis will be toughest opponent to date or was Gundrick King whom you last fought?
DeLuca: I feel he’s my toughest test.
Pattee Mak: You are definitely going to have the hometown advantage. Do you think that it will matter at all in this bout?
DeLuca: There are advantages fighting in your hometown but I hope I don’t need them. I’m in great shape and I’ll be applying a lot of pressure.
Pattee Mak: You had some injuries. Your hand and rotator cuff. Are you 100% in tip-top shape come the 30th?
DeLuca: My injuries have derailed my career in the past but I’m 100 percent healthy (knock on wood).
Pattee Mak: You are currently training with Hector Bermudez and Jimmy Farrell. I believe you’ve been training with Jimmy for a while is that correct?
DeLuca: I’ve known and have worked with jimmy my whole life. Hector and Jimmy are a great balance for me.
Pattee Mak: But Hector not so long? It seems that Hector has a winning team on his hands. He approaches boxing not only in the physical sense but the scientific sense. How long have you’ve been training with him and what has he tweaked in your training since having him in your corner?
DeLuca: Hector is excellent. I’ve been with him for 1 year and a half, he’s the total package. Strength coach, boxing coach, student, cut man, hand wraps, nutrition. You name it, he can do it.
Pattee Mak: Definitely not a bad balance between your two trainers.
Pattee Mak: Any predictions going into this fight?
DeLuca: I’m not one to predict fights, boxing is tough enough as it is, all I can do is train my hardest and do my best.
Pattee Mak: Will your bout be on TV?
DeLuca: Swing bout for TV.
Pattee Mak: Has anyone signed you yet to a promotional contract?
DeLuca: I’m currently a free agent.
Pattee Mak: You are an ex-marine. What’s more difficult, going into the battlefield or going into a battle in the ring?
DeLuca: Being a former Marine and a boxer goes hand and hand. I’ve found myself using skills from both disciplines to help me get through stressful situations.
Pattee Mak: Are you selling tickets for this fight?
DeLuca: I am selling tickets. Anyone can contact me on Facebook at Mark De Luca
Pattee Mak: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. I wish you the best of luck on the 30th.
DeLuca: Thank you!
(The above bouts are 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.
