We had the opportunity to catch up with highly regarded junior middleweight prospect Glen Tapia of Passaic. Tapia, 5-0 (4 KO’s) faces the toughest opponent of his career in James Winchester Saturday in AC as part of the Pavlik-Martinez undercard.
GSFS: Saturday night you will be taking on James Winchester and will once again appear on a big card. Does fighting on a big card add any pressure or do you think it brings out the best of Glen Tapia?
GT: It doesn’t add any pressure at all. I am ready to go. I love having people watch me, I love boxing and fighting; this is what I do best.
GSFS: Your opponent has a 10-3 record but is from North Carolina. Those that know boxing will tell you that fighters from his region with good records aren’t what they are made out to be. What are you expecting from him come Saturday night?
GT: I don’t know but I can tell you what I expect from me. Everyone tells me he hasn’t been knocked out and just fought a good opponent, but he hasn’t fought Glen Tapia! If he comes out thinking he isn’t going to get caught or hurt, he has something coming!
Editors Note: Winchester’s last opponent was 2008 Olympian Matt Korobov.
GSFS: I know you had a great amateur background and were one of the more heralded prospects coming up. Tell us about your career as an unpaid boxer with headgear.
GT: I had 143 fights and finished 130-13. I won the Silver Gloves in 2003, the Ringside Tournament, USA Junior Olympics in 06, Bronze Medal (while competing) in Turkey and the Junior Golden Gloves.
GSFS: Your last bout was nationally televised on Fox Espanol. The fight was entertaining and you scored a stoppage, but you were a little wild and got hit with a few punches you shouldn’t have. Did you slug it out because you knew you were stronger than him?
GT: I honestly felt a little tense. I should have tried to get him out of there earlier, maybe been a little quicker with my shots but he didn’t hurt me so I knew I was going to stop him.
GSFS: You are also recognized for your work as a sparring partner. Previously, Joshua Clottey used you as his main guy for the Miguel Cotto fight. As a young fighter, what was it like working with a big, strong, experienced world class guy like that?
GT: I love sparring with him and I was actually his only sparring partner. We worked 4 days per week 8 rounds per day. We ran in the morning too. It was a great experience to see how he trains and the kind of shape a world champion is in.
GSFS: On a side note, Clottey disappointed a lot of people with the way he fought Pacquiao. Seeing how he trains, spars and how hard he works, were you let down with how he fought?
GT: Yes I was very disappointed! He could have done a lot more. When he threw punches he hit Pacquiao. He should have committed more but may have been scared of getting counter punched. If he did commit he would have had a much better chance to win. Honestly I don’t know who is going to watch him now but still, he is a good fighter.
GSFS: Three of your five fights have been in Jersey or New York. What does it mean to you to be able to fight in front of a lot of your fans while many other fighters have to travel to fight?
GT: it means a lot since I can show them what I can do. Since I have been fighting close to home its easier for them to get to me. I love it and they (they love it too)
GSFS: I know you are with the Pound 4 Pound team and are a tight knit group, training in Passaic and Hoboken. Most of the crew is trained by Mikey Red (Mike Skowronski) and you workout alongside Jeremy Bryan, Victor Valenzuela Jorge Diaz and Pat Farrell. What does it mean to have a close training circle? How does it help you prepare?
GT: It’s great! We all train so hard and push each other. I feel we will all be world champions and it’s going to be crazy! If we all win belts at the same time, that would be crazy, especially because we come from the same gym. We push each other daily so hard to be the best. That’s how it is! We are all A class fighters so this is the best gym to be in for me.
GSFS: Glen Tapia fighting out of Passaic at 5-0 with 4 knockouts. What is your outlook for 2010 and beyond?
GT: I want to be one of the best prospects coming up this year and for the future, I want to become one of the best world champions. My dream is to be considered a legend.
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