Ringnews24.com had a chance to catch up with undefeated prospect Mike “Lefty” Brooks (10-0-1, 2 KOs) ahead of his clash against Philly’s Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (13-0, 7 KOs) on November 16th.
The fight will be part of the card headlined by a 12-round heavyweight bout between Tomasz “Goral” Adamek and Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. Both fights will be broadcasted starting at 2:30PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC Fight Night.
Ringnews24.com: You are getting to ready for a big fight on November 16 against Karl Dargan. What does your training consist of as you get closer to the day of the fight?
Mike Brooks: Well closer to the fight I wind down, my last week will be just technical work letting my body rest and heal and making the weight, the week before (this week) was my hardest with 8 and 10 rounds of sparring to prep.
Ringnews24.com: You are coming off a good win against Joseph Perez in his backyard where you went 6 strong rounds. Your next fight is 8 rounds against a slick Philly fighter. How is your preparation for this fight compared to other fights?
Mike Brooks: As for prep this was a strong hard working camp, lots of running, leg strength exercise and sparring, along with few extra rounds of bag work to prep for the 8 (rounds)
Ringnews24.com: Tell us what you know about Dargan. What have you seen? Why do you think you can beat him?
Mike Brooks: Dargan is a very good fighter with world class talent, I took this fight because I believe I have world class ability and would want to test my strengths against a top fighter like him. I believe I will win because I wont let him fight his fight.
Ringnews24.com: On paper Dargan looks like the toughest fighter you have faced yet. Do you agree?
Mike Brooks: Dargan is surely the toughest fighter I have faced, and I am for him.
Ringnews24.com: Your fight will be televised and seen by many fans. Is there more pressure for you because you are fighting on TV?
Mike Brooks: It is what it is, I’m happy I get this chance and if I’m going to be on top I will have to get used to this.
Ringnews24.com: Now to switch it up a little. At what age did you start boxing and what inspired you to become a fighter?
Mike Brooks: I started boxing at 16 yrs. old, I couldn’t pin point what inspired me, I just walked into a gym and it was history, it was all organic!
Ringnews24.com: Do you have any short term goals or long term goals that you would like to achieve and have you set yourself a timescale on your goals?
Mike Brooks: I have many goals, for now my only goal is focused on winning Nov 16…to say the least I will make sure I give 110%.
Ringnews24.com: Who is your current trainer and were do you train?
Mike Brooks: I currently train in the Freeport PAL (Police Athletic League) and a few days in Bellmore kickboxing. My main trainer for this fight is Joe Higgins from Freeport while I have Keith Trimble that’s been working mitts with me and technique in Bellmore.
Ringnews24.com: How do stay in shape between fights?
Mike Brooks: I stay in fair shape between fights, better now than I used to, I always work hard in the gym when I’m there.
Ringnews24.com: Who has been the biggest influence in your career so far?
Mike Brooks: I guess my biggest influence has been my family who of course wants to see me succeed, and the friends and fans who keep it positive towards me and my career, I do this for myself, it’s a one man sport.
Ringnews24.com: Do you like watching boxing when you’re at home and if so, which boxers do you like watching most?
Mike Brooks: I do like boxing, I like any exciting fighter, Danny Garcia has been my recent favorite with his performances.
Ringnews24.com: Who is your dream opponent you would like to fight at your weight level?
Mike Brooks: I don’t have a dream fight with just one person, I just want to fight and win and be champion and make the money, thats the dream!
Ringnews24.com: Message for your opponent Dargan?
Mike Brooks: My message to my opponent is just be ready for the fight of your life November 16.
Ringnews24.com: Why should fans tune in to watch this fight?
Mike Brooks: Fans should tune in cuz it will be a hell of a fight!
Ringnews24.com: Thank you for time and good luck!
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ABOUT NOVEMBER 16th:
November 16th at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY features a 12-round heavyweight battle between Tomasz “Goral” Adamek and Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov in the main event. Six additional bouts are planned for the undercard. Doors will open at 11:30 AM ET, First Fight at 12:30 PM ET. The main event and co-feature will be broadcast 2:30PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC Fight Night. The card is presented by Main Events and co-promoted by Ziggy Promotions and Pushka.
The 12-round heavyweight main event is a title defense of Adamek’s IBF North American Heavyweight belt. The IBF has designated this bout as a heavyweight voluntary eliminator fight for the #2 position.
