Willie Nelson Says He’s Ready for a Title Shot Right Now

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    Photo-Credit-Tom-Casino-SHOWTIMETha Boxing Voice’s Nestor Gibbs had the opportunity to speak with Cleveland, Ohio’s Willie ‘The Great’ Nelson, one of the many up-and comers in the boxing world that has impressed in the ring as of late.

    Last Friday at the Churchill County Fairgrounds in Fallon, Nevada, Nelson faced off against Mexican fighter Luis Grajeda. Nelson (23-0, 13 KO), won a 10 round unanimous decision. Grajeda is now 0-2-1 in his past three bouts and fell to (17-3, 13 KO).

    Surprisingly, Nelson was not too happy about his performance. “I was not happy with I saw,” Nelson said. “He was an awkward fighter. There was a lot of ducking and a lot of holding. Sometimes I got frustrated.”

    Another question that came up was Nelson’s inactivity. Nelson generally fights three times a year, with the exception of 2006 (two fights), 2011 (one fight), and 2013 (two fights). Nelson’s win over Grejeda was his second fight of 2014. Is Nelson comfortable with his current level of activity or would he like to be more active? “Of course I would love to be a little more active,” added Nelson. “I am comfortable with my current level of activity as well, however, my inactivity was due to injury.”

    The topic of inactivity did not stop there. Sometimes boxers avoid the drag of inactivity by fighting off television to avoid ring rust  to prepare for when it is time to fight on television. Is Nelson willing to do that? “I just fought off  TV to stay active,” added Nelson. “That should answer your question. I just fought Darryl Cunningham off TV.”

    Although Nelson has knocked off a couple of Olympians and has had some quality highlight reel knockouts on Showtime, Nelson has been touched a bit in his last couple of fights. Specifically in Nelson’s bout vs. Cuello, Nelson was cut over the right eye in the third and over the left eye in the 10th. Despite the cuts, Nelson won a close unanimous decision.

    Are the flaws the result of inactivity in the ring? What does Nelson think? “It would probably make it worse if I was fighting extra opposition,” added Nelson. “The best thing for me to do is to stay busy, fight better opposition, and stay fresh so I will not be making little mistakes.”

    Going back to an earlier point, Willie Nelson tends to fight two-three times a year. Is it possible that Nelson will squeeze in another fight before years end? “I am hearing rumors of November,” said Nelson. “But, that is just rumors.”

    As a fighter, Nelson is sick and tired of fighting up-and comers. He wants his shot at a title. What does Nelson have to do to be matched up and mentioned with the upper echelon in his division? “Willie Nelson did his job when he signed a deal with Cameron Dunkin,” said Nelson. “Before I signed a deal with Cameron Dunkin, I had no manager. My team was basically me and my coach.” Cameron Dunkin has been Nelson’s manager for his past two bouts.

    At 6’3, Nelson is going to be a world championship threat in the years to come. He is tall, young , and a good boxer, but Nelson tends to give up his height. During Nelson’s fight with Grajeda, trainer Jack Loew was yelling at the top of his lungs along the lines of, “What is it going to take to get you not to duck down low while throwing that right hand?” What does Nelson have to do to improve in future fights? “It took me a while to realize that. Sometimes I can be a headcase,” replied Nelson. “Even in the gym, I will get hit with a shot. I cannot do that with everybody. Some fighters are just awkward.” Nelson also added that the level of opposition in terms of sparring out in Youngstown is nothing compared to what he feels he should be getting.

    Once again, what does Willie Nelson have to do to obtain the better sparring opposition? It is known for a fact that current IBF Welterweight champion, Shawn Porter (24-0, 15 KO), spars often with Demetrius Andrade (21-0, 14 KO). Could Nelson benefit his career by being a bigger name’s sparring partner, opposed to having a bigger name be his sparring partner? Is Nelson willing to try that out? “If it is for that, then yes,” said Nelson. “I would be willing.”

    The objective for Willie Nelson is to get the win at all costs. Could we see ‘The Great’ competing with a world championship in the near future? Keep an eye on this young man.