Photos and report by Chris Perry
“Dangerous” Dorin Spivey returns to action in front of his hometown fans in the featured bout of the August 28 “War At The Shore” event promoted by Nick Garone of X-Cel Worldwide and Daryl DeCroix of Daryl DeCroix Promotions at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Spivey (37-6, 29 KOs) challenges Chicago, Illinois based fighter Leo Martinez (15-13, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event of the card that also features world ranked lightweight Meacher Major “Pain” and mixed martial arts star Antwain “The Juggernaut” Britt making his professional boxing debut.
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Spivey, 37, has won his last two fights. Last year he defeated Major to capture the NABA lightweight championship and in April he earned a hard fought victory over Tyrell Samuel. Spivey was unable to retain his title, however, due to entering the contest over the lightweight limit.
Fightnews spoke with Spivey on August 18 during a day of training at the Bushido Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia. He talked about training, his weight and the “War At The Shore”.
How has training camp been for this fight and how are you feeling?
You know, I pulled a muscle in my left biceps about a week-and-a-half ago. We were worried about it so we took a little time away from sparring and bag work. I was running three times a day to make up for not sparring and hitting the bag. When I got back into the ring, man I felt good. I’m probably in the best shape that I’ve ever been in my life…I’m working so hard and staying in shape. I’m energetic and I feel so good. I’m blessed at 37-years-old to be having the fun I’m having in boxing and to be enjoying myself.
How are your biceps feeling right now?
It feels good. No pain at all. My biceps are healed up and I feel great.
You weighed in over the contracted limit for your last fight. Is weight a concern for you moving forward?
For that fight, I was told the fight may not happen. I heard stories back and fourth so I waited to the last minute to dehydrate and drain myself to get the weight down. That is the wrong way to do it. This time around, I got the weight down early. I’m feeling good. I’m probably four pounds from where I’m fighting at and I’m doing it by dieting the right way. Like when I fought in Buffalo for the title, I dieted the right way and came in at 132. For this one here I’m eating healthy, eating the right foods and it’s paying off. I won’t have any problem with weight for this fight. I’ll probably come in a little under weight.
I’ve been boxing for 17-years and for me, that was one of the most embarrassing things that has happened to me in my career. I never came in overweight until then. I always came in under. I thought I was 135 on the money on three different scales but, you know, it’s the commission’s scale that counts. It was a learning experience for me. It was one of the most embarrassing things in my career. To all my friends and fans, I apologize. It will never happen again.
Please clarify the NABA lightweight title situation for you at this point.
Well, what happened was the NABA was going to let me keep the title as the interim champion. Because I have not defended the title in three months, they have stripped me of the title. I still have my ranking with the WBA and hopefully this fight will help move me up in the rankings. I want the WBA world title. That’s my goal. The NABA title is a big title to hold, a good title. Maybe I’ll fight for it again down the line, who knows? But, my focus right now is on the WBA world title. That’s the one I’m aiming for.
Share your thoughts on the August 28 “War At The Shore” event and your opponent Leo Martinez.
It’s going to be great for the fans. It’s going to be a first class show. Leo Martinez is a tough journeyman. He’s upset people. He beat world champion Eric Aiken. The guy can beat anybody on any given day. I’m not taking him lightly. I’m training hard because this guys coming to fight and he’s coming to win. He’s a straight forward guy. He comes right at you, attacks and makes you work. I’ve got my work cut out for me. I’m training like this is a title fight.
Two of your friends, Meacher Major and Antwain Britt, share the “War At The Shore” event poster with you and are in featured bouts on the card. Your thoughts first on Meacher Major.
Meacher Major, I just sparred with him for the first time. He’s a class act. A good man with a good spirit. He loves people, loves life and he’s like a little brother to me. He’s an excellent fighter. I didn’t realize how crafty and skilled of a fighter he is. He’s an exciting fighter and a good, strong puncher. We met in the ring as foes and now we’re friends. It’s a blessing for me to know Meacher.
Final thoughts on the “War At The Shore” event?
I’m excited. This is a great event for the area and a great opportunity for me. I’m ready. They say it’s a good feeling in the boxing game to be young and strong. Well, it’s also a good feeling to be older and strong with a young body. I feel like a 22-year-old kid. It’s unbelievable. God up above is blessing me with the ability to do the things I’m doing. I’m having fun. It’s exciting.”
“Spivey’s in great shape,” said head trainer John Hunter. “He sparred ten rounds today and wasn’t even breathing hard. He had a little problem with his arm earlier but didn’t seem to have any problem with it today. He’s ready.”
Spivey team member Greg Smith agrees with Hunter. “He looks really good. He’s consistently getting better and better and his conditioning is second to none. He’s ready to go. We’re just keeping him healthy and making sure his mind is right and his weight is right at this point…I’m really happy about where he’s at.”
The supporting “War At The Shore” card features Meacher Major (17-4-1, 14 KOs) challenging Atlanta, Georgia’s Jamar Saunders (5-6-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round contest and Antwain Britt’s scheduled four-round debut bout against Antonio King.
Other scheduled contests include undefeated Washington, DC heavyweight Maurice Byarm (7-0, 5 KOs) facing Athens, Georgia veteran Earl Ramone Hayes (15-30-1, 10 KOs), Norfolk, Virginia middleweight Frankie “The Freight Train” Filippone (5-1, 2 KOs) challenging Jeremy Watts and Virginia Beach middleweight Kenny Moody, Jr. facing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania southpaw Vince Burkhalter (0-3, 3 KOs).
Tickets from $25 to $50 ringside can be purchased at www.Tickets.com or by calling 1-800-955-5566. Special VIP seating is available by calling 757-490-9860. Doors open at 6:30 PM with action starting at 7:30 PM. More information can be found at www.championsofboxing.com.
