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| Let me first start by saying that it is a thrill for me to be talking to Edison “Pantera” Miranda. One of the most feared men in boxing and possibly the next great middleweight champion. Thanks Edison – Phil: Obviously you have the power to knockout anyone who dares to step in the ring with you. Knowing that, Do you approach every fight looking for the Knockout or are your 24 KO’s (22 in three rounds or less) just a product of your aggressive style? Edison: I believe the 24 KO's are just a product of my power and skill. One should never go into a fight looking for a knockout. I just use my boxing skill and power and eventually the other guy breaks down and the knockout comes. Some just earlier than others. Phil: In my opinion your knockout win against Howard Eastman solidified your spot as one of, if not the best middleweight on the planet. When did you first know that you belonged among the elite fighters in the division? Edison: When I came to the US 2 years ago, I knew I was special. At that point I was 21-0 with 21 ko's. I felt good in the ring and I knew I was only getting better with each day of training. This is still true today. I am a much better boxer now than I was against Eastman. Back then, I guess I always knew what my natural skills were and that I was getting better each day. When I watched all the middleweights like Hopkins, Taylor, and Wright, I knew I could beat each of them. That's when I knew I should be considered among the elite fighters. But, I guess the press needed to wait a little. Phil: I know from following your career that you are a religious man. How does your faith in God help you while training for a fight, during a fight and in dealing with the adversity that comes with being a professional boxer? Edison: God is very important to me. He helped me get by with my rough childhood and I look for his help each and every day. I know that my faith in God makes me a better man. As for boxing, I think God had a plan for me to be a boxer. This is the reason why I am a boxer and why I have the talent that I have. Phil: In your fight with Arthur Abraham, a fight which in my mind and the minds of many others you clearly deserved to win, were you surprised that the referee allowed him to continue despite massive blood loss, a broken jaw and the fact that he seemed to be searching for somewhere to hide from any more of your punches? Edison: I was very surprised that the ref let it continue. I know that the kid quit in the 5th round. I saw him shake his head no after being asked to continue. Then the fight doctor said he couldn't continue. Then the ref said 5th Round TKO win for me. I hear and understood most of this. But, we were in Germany, and when you are there your are not only fighting against the other guy. You are fighting against him, the ref, the judges, his promoter - the whole country. You need KO to win over there. I came close and feel I did what I needed to do. I just never would have imagined that the ref would have let someone fight in that horrible of condition. I am thankful that my team reassures me that they would have stopped the fight if that was me in order to protect my career. When I face him again, I promise you it will be a very ugly situation for Arthur Abraham. I would not encourage children to watch that fight. Phil: During the Abraham fight you were penalized a total of five points on fouls, every single foul being a questionable call at best. I don’t think that referee Randy Neuman could have helped Arthur Abraham anymore if had held you while Abraham tried to hit you. That said, after being robbed of a win and the IBF title by a hometown decision and horrendous officiating – would you be reluctant to take another big fight overseas, or in your opponents hometown? Edison: I will not fight in Germany again. Like I said, you are fighting the boxer along with his whole team. It's supposed to be a one on one fight. It's almost impossible to win in this situation. If the ref didn't help Abraham the way he did, I am sure the guy would have been laying somewhere in the 3rd row. He was in a lot of trouble and he is lucky the ref helped him as much as he did. Phil: Most fans have heard your incredible life story. For those who haven’t – You were abandoned when you were one month old, spent a good portion of your childhood working in the plantain and yucca fields in Colombia. At age nine you tracked down your mother only to feel the pain of her rejection. You worked in construction and as a cattle butcher all before the age of fifteen. Given your background is it possible for you to be intimidated going into a fight? Is it possible for a fighter to intimidate you? Edison: Impossible. Nothing phases me. I don't care who I'm fighting or where I'm fighting. To me it's like going to another day in the gym. I don't know if it's my tough head or my tough background or a little of both. But I can assure you that confidence will never be a problem when Pantera steps into the ring. I'm am not scared of any fighter, even if I'm fighting him in front of 20,000 of his very own fans. Phil: There has been speculation recently about who your next opponent would be. The names that keep coming up are undefeated middleweight contender Kelly Pavlik and undefeated super middleweight Allan Green. Who would you rather face? Tell me how the fights would end if you fought Pavlik and if you fought Green? Edison: I am fighting Allan Green next on HBO on March 3rd. This fight is in Puerto Rico on the Cotto under card (co main event). I am very proud to be fighting in Puerto Rico where I live and train. This is my new home and I want to give the people of Puerto Rico a gift that night. As for Green, he will not be a problem. I will be in great shape and be at my best. When I am at my best, no one can beat me. He's a decent fighter but nowhere close to the class of fighter I am. I predict a win and don't be surprised if it results in a KO. After this fight we will see what happens. I am hearing that they are trying to set me up with a Pavlik fight and then the winner would face Taylor. That would be great for me since I want to take that belt from Taylor. But, first, let me do my job on March 3rd and get rid of Green. Phil: Now with 28 professional fights under your belt, what is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your boxing career? Edison: I believe that it's not how hard you fall down but how quickly you get back up. After the Abraham fight, although I never physically fell down, I mentally fell down. I felt I got robbed. But I immediately got back up and was given the opportunity to fight on HBO again Gibbs. I crushed him in the 1st round and now I'm right back in the thick of things. Sometimes, I think God wanted me to have that loss, even thought it really was a win. It was test for how strong I am. And I passed the test. Phil: When you aren’t busy readjusting opponent’s facial features what are some of the things that Edison Miranda enjoys doing outside of boxing? Edison: I love to hang out with my friends and watch boxing. I am a student of the sport. I really don't like to miss to many fights in any weight class. I also like to laugh and joke around. Most people tell me I'm very funny. I guess that's a good thing. Of course, I read a little of the Bible each night. Phil: What will people be saying about Edison Miranda at the end of 2007? Edison: By this time I should have had my fight with Taylor and won. They are telling me Green in March, Pavlik in June or so. So, I'm thinking in Oct or Nov I'll get that fight with Taylor. So, to answer your question they will be saying how the current champ - Pantera - could be one of the greatest middleweights of all time. I think there will be a lot of talk about how many times i will defend my belt. I don't think, and i believe people will agree at that point, that there is anyone out there that can 'truly' beat me. Phil: Finally is there anything that you would like to say to your fans? Edison: Thank you to everyone for your support. From the u.s., to Colombia, to my new home in Puerto Rico. I promise to continue to bring my exciting fight style to each and every fight, no matter who I am fighting. I believe it's my job as a boxer to entertain the fans. I will never let you down. I would like to thank Edison Miranda for taking the time to do this interview. I hope 2007 brings you much success and at least a couple more knockouts, God Bless. Thank you to Steve Benbasat for making this interview possible. Phil Santos Overhandright.com Boxing News & Interviews Phil@Overhandright.com 2-4-07 |
| EDISON "PANTERA" MIRANDA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW |
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| Writers & Contributors: Phil Santos Jim Amato John Martinez Ted Sares Bill Calogero Photographers: Barry Arpin Barry Chew Stacey Santos |
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