[Interview by Pattee Mak – June 8, 2015]
It was very disappointing news that DeLuca couldn’t fight on the Andre Dirrell vs. James DeGale undercard back on May 23 in Boston, Massachusetts. DeLuca has an overwhelming fan base and frankly I was looking forward to seeing him in the squared circle. He was contracted to fight David Toribio (21-14) from the Dominican Republic but due to a hand injury that was sustained during a sparring session he had to pull out of the bout.
Pattee Mak: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Talk about frustrating. I’m so sorry about your injury. You had an upcoming bout against Toribio on the 23rd. You were preparing for the bout. After it happened were you thinking, “Oh No, NOT another injury!!”?
DeLuca: “Oh no” was exactly my thought. I’ve had a lot of injuries throughout the years. Just when I pick up momentum something seems to happen, that’s life.
Pattee Mak: Can you tell me the extent of your injury(ies)?
DeLuca: I broke my second metacarpal. It was a clean break so it should heal easily.
Pattee Mak: Did you get x-rays?
DeLuca: Yes, I had x Rays.
Pattee Mak: Surgery?
DeLuca: Yes, I had surgery. They inserted a plate in my hand.
Pattee Mak: How long before you get back in the gym and actually start training, hitting the heavy bag, sparring etc etc?
DeLuca: The longer the better. They’re telling me three months. I’m trying not to rush.
Pattee Mak: I hope you are still on track with doing cardio? No excuses. Your legs were not injured.
DeLuca: I’m always in the gym. I can shadow box and run. Strength training is also part of my routine.
Pattee Mak: Previous to this injury, you also had a prior hand injury. Was it the same hand and same injuries?
DeLuca: No, I’ve had minor setbacks but this is a major injury.
Pattee Mak: I hope your physician isn’t telling you to stop boxing all together?
DeLuca: No, boxing isn’t on the shelf completely. Just a bump in the road.
Pattee Mak: On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being in the worst pain, how does your hand feel right now?
DeLuca: My hand is at a 3. Throbs and is a little swollen.
Pattee Mak: What timeframe are you looking for to fight again?
DeLuca: Hopefully I can fight sometime in September.
Pattee Mak: Real quick. Let’s get off the subject of your hand injury. Last time I interviewed you, you were a free agent looking for a promoter. Did you end up signing with Murphys Boxing? For those who aren’t familiar with Murphys Boxing. Ken Casey from the Dropkick Murphys is Murphys Boxing, Inc.
DeLuca: Although Ken has been great to me, I’m not signed with Murphy’s Boxing. I’ve just fought on a few of their shows. I’m under the advisory of Al Haymon.
Pattee Mak: What do you want to stay to your fans out there about your current status of your injury?
DeLuca: I hope my fans understand my current situation. I’m very active and I train very hard through these situations.
Pattee Mak: Again thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Get that hand 100% better. Should you have any comments or suggestions, please free to contact me on facebook at Pattee Mak, on twitter @PatteeMak or below.
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.
