6/16/06 - article by Kerry Daigle
GIBBINS SAYS, 'THIS IS BROUSSARD'S LAST FIGHT'
An Interview with Keeppunching
Keeppunching=KP
Homer Gibbins=HG
KP: Homer, you are 36 years old and have been listed as a junior middleweight at 154 pounds.
You have only won one fight in the last four. If you lose this fight is this the end of your career? Will you retire?
HG: No, I will not retire until God tells me to retire. He will give me my message in this fight.
Fighting gives me an opportunity to minister because of the publicity I get from boxing. And I've
won 2 fights in the last four because you know I beat Chad Broussard the last time.
KP: Are you having a problem with making weight?
HG: Not at all. In 2003 I was weighing 185 pounds and came back to fight as a super middleweight
in 2005. That was a fight I lost. The guy was simply too big but it gave me the desire to get my
weight down. Now I am very comfortable at 147 pounds and can make the weight easy. Much better
than last time. I really feel strong at that weight.
KP: How about your sparring and conditioning for this 12 rounder? Are you better prepared than last time?
HG: Without A question! The last time my confidence was low so I coasted as I was not sure if I
could go 12 rounds again. The last time before that was in May 1995, almost 11 years ago when I
fought Hector Camacho for the world championship. I went the distance with Hector and lost a
close decision. This time my sparring was superb. I've had 6 different sparring partners, my
nutritional program is incredible, and I am at 147 and comfortable with more confidence. I
am a totally different fighter psychologically.
KP: You both have a recent common opponent in Moises Martinez. You had to go 8 rounds with
Moises to beat him in a decision. Chad lost to him by TKO in three rounds then re-matched
Moises and knocked him out cold in three rounds. Does that mean Chad is a better puncher than you?
HG: Absolutely not. My goal was to go eight rounds with Moises to get some work in. That is what I
did and got my 8 rounds. I won every round easy. Even in the fight Chad had with Moises in the
re-match Moises was getting the best of him. You'll see who the puncher is after this fight.
KP: Are you a better fighter?
HG: Look, Chad is a good fighter. I give him that. I am just at a different level from the last fight.
My confidence level is higher. I have no weight problems. I am in the best condition of my life to
go 12 rounds but that is not going to happen. I am going to knock out Chad Broussard right here in his hometown.
KP: So ..no problem going 12 rounds?
HG: Don't misunderstand me. I can go 12 rounds. I don't intend to. It is not in my best interest.
There were three blind judges the last time. They even voted against your local fighter, Prevost,
the last time when I thought he won easily. So I guess they go the route of 'who' they want
to help. I am going to knock out Chad Broussard. This fight will end his career. It's over for him.
KP: What is the value of winning the IBU title? Is the title prestigious to you?
HG: Look the title doesn't make a champion, a champion makes a title. Do you think if Oscar De LaHoya
would win an IBU title it wouldn't get noticed? This fight will put me in a better level
playing field for more paydays.
KP: Your final comments towards this re-match.
HG: That's easy. Come watch Chad's last fight.
Homer Gibbins is at the headquarters hotel while waiting for the weigh-in at 2pm Friday at
Red Lerilles' Gym on Doucet Road in Lafayette. The public is invited to attend the weigh-in.
"HOMER WON'T LAST 5 ROUNDS" CLAIMS 'BAD' CHAD
by Kerry Daigle
An interview with World Champion Chad Broussard
Keeppunching = KP
Chad Broussard: CB
KP: We have interviewed Homer Gibbins tonight and he told us that he was going to close the door
on your career this fight. Any comments?
CB: Homer sure has been making a lot of noise for this fight and is trying to get in my head.
He is not going to do that. I have been in camp for 4 weeks eating nails. My sparring partners
have been pushing me. I just went 12 rounds twice. Both my last fights were distance fights.
I am closing the gap on this one. He's right.He won't see round 6.
KP: What can you do different?
CB: Well for one thing I can punch with more combinations. I hurt Homer several times and posed
and looked at him the last fight. This time all we need is a referee who can count to 10. They
can put their pencils and scorecards up. Homer has gotten me into a position where I must perform.
The people, the fans, deserve a spectacular win and they will see one.
KP: Your promoter, Bryan Culotta, has a lot of faith in you and so does your manager, Doyle Simms.
What do you think they are thinking about?
CB: Without them I wouldn't be here today. Bryan is putting up the money to make this happen and
Doyle has stuck with me during very thin times. This title defense is for them. Their faith in
me has never been questioned. Now I must give back what they have given me. Their whole heart.
Now I am giving mine. I am going for broke. I will take him out.
KP: Well, it sounds like you are both saying the same thing.
CB: This time I grant you Homer is going to run. Once he feels my power he will not want to fight with me. He will be moving.
KP: What is next after this fight?
CB: I really don't know what my promoter and manager are saying but I will tell you this. I
understand there is a huge fight coming up for me. I am a newly wed so I am needing this fight
for the bigger payday. Nothing will stand between me winning this fight dramatically. Bet your
home, your car, everything of value. I am taking Homer down. He has insulted me, my trainers,
my manager, the Boxing Commission, and the people of Louisiana. I've never been this
hungry to fight someone before.
Chad Broussard is still locked up in training. According to sources, he is the best shape of his life.
BOBBY AUCOIN HUNGRY FOR FIRST TITLE
By Travis Broussard
Keeppunching Author/Trainer
KP: Keeppunching
BA: Bobby Aucoin
KP: Bobby, this is your first title fight. What title is it?
BA: It is for the IBU United States Junior Welterweight Championship which is a 140 pound title.
KP: Isn't that out of your weight division? Is that a good idea?
BA: Yes, it is out of my weight division because I can really make 130 pounds if I so choose
(Junior Lightweight). I've been fighting at 135 pounds, the lightweight limit. Now, my trainer
and dad, Bobby Sr., and my agent, Kerry Daigle, are moving me up to 140 pounds. I feel so
strong at that weight. However, keep in mind I like to fight at lightweight. We will go
where the opportunity rises or takes us. I've got the height for any division.
KP: Your opponent, Donnell Logan, seems to be very confident. What do you know about him?
BA: I know he comes to fight and can be dangerous with his right hand. I don't think he takes
a really good body shot. I know Donnell just fought Chad Aquino, the undefeated lightweight
prospect, with a great amateur background. He dropped Aquino in the first round then hurt him
again in round three and only got away with a draw. So, I know he can punch. Our research
shows he doesn't take a good body shot. If that is true I am going to test his body early
and attack him hard. I am ready for war.
KP: What do you mean war?
BA: First of all, in my last 4 or 5 fights I've been pacing myself in the early rounds and have
been giving those rounds away. My trainer and dad has me working on keeping busier. I am going
after Donnell. I want to know what he has right away. I am ready to test his ability to take some hard shots.
KP: Do you feel stronger at this weight?
BA: Of course. I feel real strong. I am peaking right now.
KP: How important is this title for you?
BA: Very important. It is a springboard to bigger fights. I want to win this one impressively
and give it to my dad for Father's Day. This title will be his Father's Day gift.
KP: What happens after this fight?
BA: I don't think about that. Right now the only thing on my mind is Donnell Logan. I am focused on taking him down.
KP: Will the 5000 or so fans hollering 'Bayou Bomber' have an effect on you? Are you sometimes fighting for them?
BA: The fans fire me up. I hear them, however, once the bell rings to start a round I get into the zone.
I love my fans. I love the city I fight in. I want to bring a title to them and national television
right here. To do that I have to win impressively. Do I fight for the fans? Of course I do.I want
them to enjoy coming to my fights, however, I will never deter from my game plan. I'm focused and
right now Logan is in my sights.
FIGHT CARD FOR 'DO OR DIE' SHOW
7 p.m. Saturday, Blackham Coliseum, June 17th
Chad Broussard (54-4, 39 KOs), Lafayette, La vs. Homer Gibbins (43-14, 30 KOs),
Atlanta, Ga., 12 rounds for IBU welterweight title (REMATCH)
Bobby Aucoin (16-0-1, 8 KOs), Scott, La vs. Donnell Logan (8-7-2, 4 KOs),
Covington, Tenn., 8 rounds for IBU U.S. junior welterweight title
Jeremy Duplechain (5-2, 4 KOs), Lawtell, La. vs. Steve Verdin (5-29-2),
Cut Off, La. 4 rounds (REMATCH), Welterweights
Blake Prevost (7-1-1, 4 KOs), Lawtell, La. vs. Charles Phillip Hammac, Mobil, Alabama 6 rounds, Light-heavyweights
Daniel Garcia (6-3-1, 4 KOs), Houston, Texas, vs. Thomas Grissom (2-18-1, 1 KO),
Monroe, La., 4 rounds Jr. Welterweights
Zane Marks (12-2, 6 Kos) New Roads, LA vs Michael Jackson, (11-13, 8 KO), Hatfield, Arkansas 6 rounds, Light-heavyweights
Tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for ringside, and reserved
eight-seat VIP tables are $1,000.
Tickets are available in Lafayette, La at:
Lafayette Tire and Service
Planet Nutrition
Red Lerillešs Health & Racquet Club
Ambassador Caffery Car Wash
Jude Darbonne Hair and Body Spa
Opelousas, La locations:
Chipšs Grill and Bar
Frankšs Grill and Bar
Crowley, La locations:
Michaelšs Meat Market
Rayne, La locations:
Cajun Fitness
If any tickets remain, they will be on sale Saturday at the Blackham
Coliseum box office.
Doors are scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m.
|
