Before Curtis "Showtime" Stevens (21-2, 15KO) steps into the ring against Nevada's Jesse Brinkley (34-5, 22KO) on Friday January 29th at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV, Stevens sat down to discuss his upcoming fight. The bout, promoted by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Let's Get It On Promotions, is scheduled for 12 rounds, and is an Official IBF Eliminator for the number two ranking in the super middleweight division. The fight will be shown live as the main event on that evening's ESPN "Friday Night Fights" telecast.
CURTIS "SHOWTIME" STEVENS
Q: How has your training camp been for this fight, anyone in particular you have worked with during this camp?

CS: Camp has been great, easily one of the best, if not the best in my entire career. I have been getting great sparring at my gym with a few top amateurs such as Marcus Brown, as well as light heavyweight prospect Will Rosinsky (9-0, 6KO). Also right before I went into camp for this fight I was in the Dominican Republic working with WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Paschall as he prepared for his title defense against Adrian Diaconu.

Q: Let's talk about your last fight Curtis, some people chose you as the underdog in that fight, you made it look pretty easy though, was it as easy as it looked?

CS: To be honest it was easy. See I have been boxing since I was 5 years old, so being around for so long, I know that it doesn't matter what your record is. He (Wilczewski) had a great record but he had never fought a Curtis Stevens and the outcome for him was inevitable. It will be exactly the same thing with Jesse Brinkley
Q: This will be your second straight fight in which you enter into hostile territory Curtis. Does it bother you having to go into Jesse's hometown?

CS: No it doesn't bother me at all. Whether the fight is in his hometown, or my hometown, the same situation is going to occur. Yes, the arena we are fighting in is in his home town, but the ring is my home, so when we get inside that ring he will be entering into my hostile territory.

Q: Since switching promoters you have been on a four bout winning streak. Curtis what has it been like working with Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing?

CS: Working with Joe has been good, really have nothing to complain about. He has got me into a position where one or two more wins and I am fighting for a world championship so I am definitely happy.

Q: Curtis, from what you have seen what kind of fight do you expect out of Jesse?

CS: Well I know that he likes to come forward and bang and I really hope that's his game plan for me, but as you can see in the past, people change their style when they fight me. I will say though that it's going to be a lot worse for him if he chooses to run because I will continue to stalk him down and bust him up. Bottom line is either way he decides to fight he is going to take a lot of shots, but he will take more shots running. My advice to him is to just get it over with and go toe to toe, save himself a real beating.

Q: I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy training schedule. For the fans out there reading, give me your prediction and anything you want to say in closing?

CS: I want to thank Star Boxing and Let's Get It On Promotions for putting this together and ESPN for broadcasting it. I want to thank my team and trainer Andre Rozier for getting me ready for this. I also want to thank Jesse Maldonado and Ashley Miller at Elite Boxing & Fitness who opened their arms to me and let me train at their great facility here in Reno. My prediction, or should I say my promise, is that there is no way this fight is going the full twelve rounds. It will end with my hands being raised and Jesse waking up on his stool. 2010 is my year. Luckily for the contestants in the Super Six tournament they are locked up and won't have to face me, which makes it that much more unfortunate for everyone else in the super middleweight division. Look out because "Showtime" is coming for you.

The card, billed as Reno Extreme Fights II, is promoted by Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Let's Get It On Promotions. ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" will begin live coverage of the event at 10PM ET. The bout will take place at the Grand Theatre inside the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. Doors open at 6PM with the first bout scheduled for 6:30PM. Tickets are priced at $100, $75, or $40 and are available at www.GrandSierraResort.com or by calling 1(800) 648-3568. Tickets for a King's Row Booth for four are priced at $1000. Included in your V.I.P. ringside booth are light appetizers and one bottle of premium alcohol.