Q&A: Kali Meehan

Photo and report by Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

IBF #7 and WBA #9 heavyweight Kali Meehan talks to Fightnews about the impressive KO over Aussie heavyweight Michael Kirby recently and offers to fight WBO #15 Alex Leapai and DKP heavyweight Mark de Mori. Kali talks about possible fights for him against David Tua and Oliver McCall who he has in his sights. Meehan says he does not think he will get a shot at any major body crown and feels they are the best fight for him.

Congratulations on your impressive win over the tough-as-nails Michael Kirby last week. Were you surprised you got him out of there in round one?

I wasn’t surprised at all. I trained very hard for this fight and I knew that although Kirby would come to fight, he would be very open for big shots.

You looked like you were in great physical shape for this fight. How was your training for the fight?

Training went really well. I had a great team around me at the Fight Gym in Sydney.

Do you have a new trainer? Mark Pitts was in your corner.

I still have the same trainer: Mark Janssen, but we weren’t able to train together for this fight. We are not blessed to be in a position where we can afford to drop everything and go to camp together. But those are the breaks! I had great help from Mark Pitts who helped me with this fight. It worked well as he was not trying to change my fighting style, but help me work on my strengths.

You stated that after your fight that you have a two fight deal and you next fight will be Oliver McCall. Please give details.

I was offered a fight with Oliver McCall should I win the fight against Kirby. That was what I meant by two fight deal. I know that will be a fight the boxing fans in Australia will love to see as he is still a dangerous man with a big punch and solid chin.

You also stated you are after a bout with world rated New Zealand heavyweight David Tua. You and David have been friends for several years. Has that changed or is this just business?

It is no secret that I have been the top heavyweight in Australia over the last 10 years and David Tua has been the top heavyweight in New Zealand over the last 10 years. It makes sense that we fight. Nothing personal at all–I have been a fan of his, and looked up to him for how he has lead the way for us boxers from the southern hemisphere. He is a great fighter, and I believe that with all the politics involved in boxing these days, I doubt very much that either of us will get another shot at one of the legitimate titles. Fighting each other just makes sense.

Australian heavyweight Alex Leapai is now world rated with recent wins over highly regarded American heavyweights Travis Walker Darnell Wilson and Owen Beck. He has issued a challenge to you to decide who is the best heavyweight in Australia. Can Meehan versus Leapai happen?

The challenge was issued to him first and he pulled out from our proposed bout. I have been trying for the last five years to secure big fights. I never really wanted to fight Kirby or any of the other up-and-comers in Australia. I have climbed and conquered the domestic ladder, and made the biggest impact I could make on the world. Like I said before, because of Politics in boxing, I don’t believe I will ever get to fight for one of the major world titles again so I plan to go out with some big fights. Oliver McCall, and David Tua, are the fights I have in mind. Leapai is coming along well at this stage but he is not at the level of Tua, McCall, or myself. If we were to fight in the ring, I believe it would end in the same way as my fight with Kirby ended.

Perth based heavyweight Mark de Mori is managed by DKP and has made a challenge to you. Are you interested in a bout with Mark de Mori?

Mark de Mori? He can fight Leapai. It is good these fighters want to call me out so they can try to climb the ladder and make a name for themselves, but I know they are not at my level so I am not trying to secure fights with them. I think I showed in my last fight what level I am at. To the Australian fighters on the domestic scene, I wish therm all well. My advice to them is to train hard and to be humble! You meet the same people on the way up, as you do on the way down. Never listen to the haters, and in this case, be careful what you wish for. God Bless you all.

June 30th, 2011

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