By Pattee Mak | 08-04-2011:
Derrick Findley
-seven year old orthodox middleweight Derrick Findley (18-6, 11 ko’s) from Gary, Indiana last fought on July 29, 2011 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut on July 29. And although he lost a 10 round unanimous decision to Elvin Ayala, that hasn’t stopped him from moving forward and strategizing for his next fight. Prior to the loss to Ayala, he had won an 8th round unanimous decision to Michael Walker.
Pattee: Good Morning Derrick.
Pattee: Talk to me about your fight with Ayala. What went wrong that night?
Findley: The only thing that went wrong was the head butt. I thought I won. I was the busier guy. I landed harder shots. He just ran and jabbed. I didn’t get a fair shake. I even put him down.
Pattee: Originally Ayala was scheduled to fight Israel “Pito” Cardona that night but things changed at the last minute. Did you even get to prepare for this fight?
Findley: I was in semi shape for the fight. I was supposed to fight on the 30th. Then was told I wasn’t cause no one wanted to fight me, so I stopped training and I knew within two weeks I wasn’t fighting, so wasn’t training. Then got the call and hopped on plane.
Pattee: What did you learn from this fight if anything?
Findley: Stay in shape no matter what. He was a bum. I felt I won sorry. 🙁
Pattee: Would you like a rematch with Ayala?
Findley: Yes I would love to rematch him. I really thought I was the busier guy. I thought I out worked him and I put him down. All he did was run and avoid the fight. I never got hit with anything but jabs here and there. I felt I did not get a fair shake.
Pattee: You have an impressive 18 wins and only 6 losses. Out of the other 5 losses (excluding Ayala) you never had a rematch. Why is that?
Findley: Never because I put up a very tuff fight. They didn’t get by me very easy. You may beat me but you will work for the win. Trust me.
Pattee: Where did your ring name “Superman” come from?
Findley: My ring name came from when I was in the amateurs. I was always knockin guys out that were bigger, different class.
Pattee: Whom would you ultimately like to fight?
Findley: I don’t care who I fight. I don’t pick and choose. I just fight.
Pattee: How did you get into boxing?
Findley: Well I got into boxing through a friend. He was always telling me about his boxing stories. I went and tried it out and was addicted.
Pattee: You started your professional debut at the young age of 21 with a TKO against Ricardo Swift. What is your amateur record?
Findley: My amateur record is 80 wins, 11 losses.
Pattee: You have a phenomenal physique. How many days a week do you train?
Findley: I train Monday through Saturday. Rest Sunday.
Pattee: Who is your trainer?
Findley: Mike Soria was my trainer but no longer is. He took me as far as he could. Currently I’m working with Mike Davis and Eddie Davis.
Pattee: Since your 1st fight in 2005 through the present, what was the most important piece of information that you learned in the sport of boxing?
Findley: That it’s a dirty organization and you have to watch people closely. LOL.
Pattee: Mayweather vs. Ortiz. What are your thoughts on this match?
Findley: I got Mayweather wining.
Pattee: I know that boxing keeps you extremely busy but what do you like to do for fun?
Findley: I like to do simple things. I live the quiet, mild mannered life. I just like to go out to eat, movies, carnivals and I like six flags, working out, simple things. Not really a wild, crazy guy. I live my life on the edge enough through boxing. LOL.
Pattee: What would you like to tell your fans out there?
Findley: Don’t count me out. Got plenty of fight left in me. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time for this interview. It was a pleasure.
Should you have any comments or suggestions, please free to contact me on facebook at Pattee Mak or below. Also should you wish to follow Derrick Findley can friend request him on facebook under Derrick Findley.
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
No class. Call the guy that beat you a bum. Your the bum. It came down to strength and power vs speed and craftiness. You were given The kryptonite Superman.