Nigerian born David Izon won the 1992 Olympic silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics the same competition which David Tua won the Bronze medal. Olympic medalist, David Izon was perhaps the most accomplished amateur boxer Nigeria ever produced. His current Professional record is 21-3, 19 KO's. In perhaps his finest performance Lou Savarese went down via a stunning fifth round knock out. Now Izon is in search of a title shot and is one of the top contenders at heavyweight.
Ike: Hello David, lets get down to business here, give us some insights
on your upcoming Showdown on June 4, 1999 at Grand Casino, in Biloxi,
Mississippi against heavyweight Contender, Terrence Lewis! How is your
training for the fight coming along?
Izon: I just returned few days ago to my residence in Pensacola, from
training camp with Roy Jones jr. who's also preparing for his fight with
Reggie Johnson on June 5, a day after my fight at the same venue in Grand
Casino for the Light Heavyweight unification.
Ike: Where are you originally from?
Izon: I'm orignally from formerly in Rivers State now in Bayella State in
the Eastern of Nigeria.
Ike: Which titles did you win in the past?
Izon: My journey started, when I won the 1992 Olympic Heavyweight silver
medal in Barcelona. Prior to that I captured a Gold Medal in Cairo,
Egypt 1991 qualifing for the 1992 Olympics.
Ike: How did you feel to have won the Olympic Medal for Nigeria in 1992?
Izon: I was very happy, well wishers, fans were so excited, it was a
celebration.
Ike: When did you start your amateur?
Izon: I started as a amateur in Lagos, Nigeria in 1985 and hoped to
make it to the 1988 African Games, but was dropped a month before the
game. I won the heavyweight Bronze medal at Kenya 87' game.
Ike: Who inspired you to Box?
Izon: Used to watch Chuka Mamah NTA sports and he used to show fights of
Muhammad Ali, that was encouraging and inspiraing! I believe Mr. Mamah
is currently the Chairman of Tennis in Nigeria.
Ike: When did you turn pro?
Izon: I turned pro 1992 after the Olympics, at first I went went to France
to begin my career. I fought in France for four years before I made
my connections to fight in the US.
Ike: How would you compare European Boxing to American Boxing?
Izon: America is the home of boxing, you make more money here, more fights
and stronger opponents. Why do you think Lennox Lewis fights in
America because Europe don't pay him well.
Ike: What's your impression of Terrence Lewis?
Izon: I saw one of his old fights, he's a good figter but we're practicing
the strategy how to beat him.
Ike: What do you like about Boxing?
Izon: The business of boxing is becoming corrupt, but I'm here to make a
living, I am not doing it for fame, it is for financial aspects and
it is a job.
Ike: What was your occupation before you decided to box?
Izon: I'm still employed by the Nigerian Police Force. I joined the police
force in 1989. I represented the Nigerian Police in two police games
winning Gold Medals in both occassions.
Ike: What's your current rank in the Police Force?
Izon: I'm an Assistant Superindendant of Police - (ASP) in the Nigerian
Police forces.
Ike: What's your impression of Lou Savarese?
Izon: Lou is good fighter even though I knocked him out in the fifth
round.
Ike: You lost to Michael Grant January 1998 by fifth round TKO. Were you
intimidated by Grant Height?
Izon: No, was never the case, they wanted to promote Grant so they stopped
the fight premature. I wasn't in trouble with Grant, I want to get
a rematch with Grant.
Ike: Have you fought in Nigeria since you turned Pro?
Izon: No, the last fight I had in Nigeria was 1992 after the Olympics I
was in the Champion of Champions. I don't mind to fight in Nigeria as long
as the money is right.
Ike: Have you thought of rematching Maurice Harris who you lost to fews
years ago?
Izon: It was my first loss, I was robbed the fight was just giving to him
because we fought in his State, I won the fight. I knocked Harris
down in the first round and the second round without him knocking me
down once. Right now I'm rated over him so I have nothing to gain
fighting him but if the money is right and they make the fight. Yes,
I will be glad to fight him again.
Ike: Izon! You were suppose to fight Andrew Golota on HBO early this
year 1999. Why didn't the fight come on?
Izon: Golota chickened out of the fight, these are the same words Lou
DiBella from HBO gave me when I called him to finalise the deal.
Boxers like Golota doesn't want to fight "dangerous Izon" they want
to get a pay day with Mike Tyson, don't care even if they loss to
him. These are not serious fighters.
Ike: So what do you to say Main Event newletter column that claims that
you did show up on time to sign the fight deal?
Izon: Ike! It's all cover up! I told you boxing is corrupt and a lot of
politics
Ike: What do you want to accomplish in Boxing?
Izon: I have to be the world Champion, make name, fame, money and quit.
If I was on Evander Holyfield shoes, I would have retired, what else
does he want to prove? He should go and take care of his money!
Ike: What's your impression of other fighters in your division, someone
Ike Ibeabuchi?
Izon: Ike Ibeabuchi is a very good young fighter, he's up there, he
deserves a shot shot as we speak to have destroyed Chris Byrd the
way he did. Ike right now has a better chance than myself. He's
a very good boxer and has age advantage too.
Ike: What are your hobies?
Izon: Now, I'm taking kids out of the street getting them into the
gym to begin as amateurs and I train them.
Ike: Thank you for taking out time from your busy trainning schedule to
chat with us! We wish you the best of luck in the upcoming bout and in
future endevors.
Izon: You're welcome, thanks for telling the story!
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