Going The Distance With Ross Purrity

Very few fighters can say that they beat the heavyweight champion of the world only not to be able to win it in the future. Ross Purritty has faced a majority of the top heavyweights of the last generation as well as this generation. He's faced Tommy Morrison, Vitali Klitschko, Hasim Rahman, Eddie Chambers, and holds a win over Wladimir Klitschko which is by far the best win of his career. Ross Purritty is now a trainer and has taken the time to interview with me.

Julian Williams: So Ross what are you up to these days?

Ross Puritty: I teach mostly kids how to Box and along the way, hopefully instilling some discipline!

JW: In your career you have fought many boxers who have went on to become champions despite coming up short what was the biggest accomplishment of your boxing career?

RP: Hasim Rahmin, Vladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko, Tommy Morrison! Those are the main guys, I think! As far as biggest accomplishment, I would say having a career with no serious injuries!

JW: How much has boxing changed since your career started?

RP: Well, I think that the fighters are a lot softer. Its hard to believe how many guys quit on the seat!

JW: What is your thoughts on the current heavyweight division in boxing?

RP: think that the managers and promoters should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the UFC and MMA orginizations to put on more competitive fights!

JW: Which fighters from your era do you wish you had gotten a chance to face in a boxing match?

RP: I wanted to fight anyone and everyone, so you can imagine how long the list would be

JW: From your perspective what do you think makes a solid complete boxer?

RP: A complete boxer has skill and a lot of determination

JW: Who are your favorite fighters to watch today?

RP: I really don't watch boxing anymore

JW: In your career who was the most difficult challenge to face and why?

RP: my most difficult challenge was time, because I hated having to wait once I knew a fight was made!

JW: How much different is the heavyweight division now from the 90's?

RP: I think fighters today are pampered too much!

JW: You have been in the ring with both of these men who do you think will win a future matchup of Eddie Chambers and Wladimir Klitschko?

RP: Vladimir will win, because he has a good jab and Eddie doesn't punch hard enough to scare him!

JW: What are your thoughts on the recent tragedies of Alexis Arguello, Arturo Gatti, and Vernon Forrest?

RP: I am very saddened by the paasing of these great warriors, who represented boxing and themselves most admirably! I think we will all miss their presence!

JW: I know that you played football for UTEP for a few seasons tell me how different was it to get in shape for football compared to boxing?

RP: Boxing condition was much harder, because you had to prepare for a longer duration of activity!

JW: Having many years of experience inside the ring did you find it to be an easy transition to become a trainer? How many fighters are you training at the moment?

RP: The transition wasn't very hard, because I actually started training people about 9 years before I retired! At the moment my class consist of anywhere from 10 to 25 or more kids depending on the day!

JW: What would you tell anyone who wants to have a future in boxing?

RP: Pick another sport, unless it is your last option! And I do mean Last!!!

special thanks to Ross Puritty wish you well in training your fighters