In advance of his fight Saturday against Damien Vazquez on Showtime, Rau'shee Warren talked about fellow Cincinnati native Duke Ragan's recent Olympic success in addition to Warren's own experience as a three-time Olympian and desire to represent the Queen City every time he enters the ring.
Warren, 34, tweeted details about his upcoming bout:
In 2017, Ragan said you were his idol, and asked to stand beneath a large photo of you while The Enquirer interviewed him for a story. How did you react when Ragan won silver in the Olympics, and what advice would you give him as he continues his pro career?
On Ragan winning silver…
"I was so happy Duke was going back to the Olympics. It was something I appreciated because a lot of kids are giving up on the Olympic dream and just turning pro. And I always tell kids that being a part of the Olympics is a different type of thing where you get to travel the world, represent your country and compete against the best.
"I thought Duke won gold to be honest. I thought the Russian, Albert Batyrgaziev, won round one. And then I thought Duke won the second round because he landed more shots. And in the third round I thought Duke both outclassed him as a boxer and way out landed him. So I thought Duke won the gold hands down, but he got a silver medal instead. I just can’t wait to congratulate him and put the silver medal around my neck. We’re all so close and with him being from Cincy, it feels like I won too.
"At our gym we have all of these pictures hanging of the fighters that went to the Olympics. They have to put Duke up there now. He deserves to be up there with us now, especially after bringing home the silver medal."
On advice for Ragan as he turns pro…
"I'd tell Duke if nobody knew who Duke Ragan was before the Tokyo Olympics then they definitely know now. He showed that he can fight at the world championship level. My advice would be for him to do whatever it takes to become Cincy's next world champion. After my fight on Saturday, I'll be going for another world title. So hopefully Duke and I can motivate each other towards world titles. He's been a top amateur and he's got so much more to come as a professional and I'll be right there with everyone else watching him progress."
What did you learn from your Olympic experience, and what was your transition like from Olympian to world champion?
"It was a little tough for me because I was on a fast pace. I feel like as a professional it's almost easier in some respects than in the amateurs. In top amateur competition, you have to fight the top fighters from all over the world. But it's interesting because once you get along in your professional career and get to fighting for belts then you find yourself back competing against those same people that you used to compete against in the Olympics and other international events."
Can you describe the challenge of going an entire year between the Oubaali and Mendoza fights, and again between the Mendoza and Carter fights? What are your emotions in advance of your fight Saturday against Damien Vazquez?
On the lengthy layoffs…
"The delay between Mendoza and Carter was because of the pandemic, which slowed down a lot of things. It was really hard trying to stay focused through COVID-19. I didn't know when we'd fight next. To be honest, I was thinking the world was going to end almost like a movie. I was just worried about staying safe and trying to work out. I was training when I could and trying to avoid getting fat from quarantine. Duke was actually coming and working out with us too.
"For the delay between Oubaali and Mendoza, nobody really wanted to fight me, or they wanted way too much money. It just takes a while to make these fights. It's just like what's going to happen with Duke. He’ll see it’s going to be tougher to make fights for him. People want more money when they know who you are and they want to get paid more for the risk. For me, it's all about competition. If another man says he wants to beat me up, then that's all it takes to get me to want to fight and in to the gym to train hard."
On his emotions ahead of Saturday…
"I'm ready to fight. I've been ready to fight. I thought I was going to be fighting Rigondeaux, but I never look past anyone who gets in the ring with me. I hope Vazquez brings everything that he has because I have something to prove. On Saturday, I'm going to show what Cincy is all about. After watching Duke in the Olympics, I’m even more motivated. Duke might have said that I'm his idol, but he's been motivating me to train harder for this fight."
Warren enters Saturday's fight with an 18-3 record.
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