Spivey returns to the ring

Interview & photos by Chris Perry

After almost a year away from the ring, “Dangerous” Dorin Spivey will be back in action August 20 in front of his hometown fans in the featured bout of the “Beach Brawl II” event promoted by Diane Fischer’s Dee Lee Promotions, LLC at the Virginia Beach Fieldhouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Spivey (38-6-0, 29 KOs) will challenge Akron, Ohio based fighter Damon Antoine (9-31-2, 4 KOs) in the eight-round main event.

The former NABA lightweight champion won an intense unanimous decision victory in his last bout on August 28, 2010. He hopes this Saturday’s fight takes him one step closer to his goal of winning a world title. Fightnews spoke with Spivey on August 16 at the Bushido Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia after a training session.

Reflect back on your last fight and the injury sustained in the bout.

“It was a disappointing fight for me. I pulled my left bicep muscle in training camp. We thought the muscle had healed. We didn’t spar but two times getting ready for the fight. We thought it had healed but I pulled the muscle in the first round and I wasn’t the same after that. It was tough. I was fighting both my opponent and my pulled muscle.

“Since then the injury has healed up and I feel great. I’ve been dying every day to get in the ring and show everyone the real me. In the last fight I was hit more than I ever have been and took unnecessary punishment that I normally wouldn’t take. But, I got through it. I showed my warrior’s heart and proved I could fight through a war and persevere with an injury.

“After a year, I’ve developed better skills. I think I’ve gotten faster actually. I think I’m sharper and I’m feeling great. I’ve trained hard. I’ve worked hard and I’m going to make it happen. I look forward to it.”

You are returning to the ring almost a year after your last bout. Why such a long time between fights?

I wanted to fight, but things just didn’t work out with my promoter Nick Garone (of X-Cel Worldwide). I got my release from Nick Garone. It was a mutual agreement with no hard feelings and I moved forward. I was introduced to Diane Fischer (of Dee Lee Promotions, LLC) by a friend of mine, Jay Watts. We sat down and talked and signing with Diane has been the best thing for me.”

Do you consider this last year away from the ring a positive or a negative?

“It can be a negative because of the ring rust. You can train and spar in the gym every day but being in front of a crowd with the bright lights on you is a lot different. It’s definitely a negative because of the ring rust, but it’s a positive because it gave me more time to learn, pick up more and think about my craft more. Then I signed with this great woman Diane Fischer and ran into Floyd Kuriloff, who is now my Co-Manager and Advisor along with Daryl DeCroix. I’ve got great people around me. The last year has given me a chance to make things better. I do believe that Diane and Floyd were the missing pieces for Team Spivey. Along with Daryl, Coach John Hunter (head trainer), Greg Smith (Assistant Trainer) and Jake Wareing (Strength and Conditioning Coach) I’ve got it together now, so I’m excited.”

How has training been for you leading up to this fight?

“My training has been very intense. I’ve trained for this fight like I’ve been training for a world title fight. Every fight for me is like a world tile fight. During this training camp I’ve learned some different moves and techniques. I’ve learned a few new things I hope to show in this fight that I’ve worked on with Coach Hunter. But, I’ll still be the same Dorin putting combinations together. Punches in bunches. I’m focused. I’ve got so much more focus now with the right team behind me.”

Share your thoughts on your opponent Damon Antoine and what you’re expecting Saturday night.

“This guy is tough. His record could easily be reversed. He takes fights on short notice in guy’s hometowns. He’s gotten robbed on bad decisions. He can fight. He’s a good strong fighter and a hard worker. It’s no easy walk through the park. People that don’t know boxing may say ‘he’s fighting a bum’. This guy is far from a bum. He hardly gets knocked out. He has been stopped at times because of cuts, but he’s tough. This guy can upset anybody on any given day. That’s why I need to be at the top of my game and prepared.”

As you continue your quest for a world title, how would you like the next year to play out for your career?

Well, our goal is to get a shot at the IBF Intercontinental title, which should put me in the top ten of the IBF rankings. We’re looking to do that hopefully in October in Atlantic City and then fight also at Dover Downs in December. But, the first thing I have to do is get through Saturday night. Hopefully, I’ll get the IBF Intercontinental title fight before the year is out. I’ll defend it once or twice and hopefully get a world title shot with the IBF next year. That’s our goal but none of that means anything at all unless I get through this fight Saturday night. This is like the title fight for me because it’s going to lead to bigger things. This is big.

“Every fight at this point is the most important fight of my life. At my age, at 38, I can’t afford to be set back. I’ve got to keep moving forward. This is going to be a good challenge. It will be a good test for me and I’m looking to be victorious in the fight.”

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Trainers, promoter talks

“He’s in tremendous condition,” Head trainer John Hunter told Fightnews. “His health is 100%. The last time he fought, he had an injury before the fight, so we didn’t spar. But now, he’s injury free and in great condition. He’s 38-years-old but fights like an 18-year-old.

“I’m hoping to see him work behind his jab. He’s got a beautiful jab. He’s got good hand speed. He throws a wicked left hook to the body. I’m looking for him to use that left hook. He throws a right hand to the body with the uppercut behind it. This guy’s (Damon Antoine) fought some good guys and went the distance with them, but I think we’re going to stop him. If Spivey looks like he’s been looking in the gym, I think we’ll stop him.”

Co-Manager and Advisor Floyd Kuriloff agrees: “I’m expecting Dorin to win. He’s going to do what he’s capable of doing. He’s going throw multiple punches. He’ll throw four, five, six punches at a time. He’s going to wear his opponent down and he’s going to win.”

Although not looking past the “Beach Brawl II” main event, promoter Diane Fischer believes Spivey’s goal of being world champion is within reach. “I don’t see why he should’t have a world title fight by next year. If he fights three fights by the end of the year, he should be in the top three or four with no problem.”

“Dorin’s 38-years-old and he has to keep going. If I keep him fighting every couple of months I think he’ll be right up there with the best of them.”

The Virginia Beach Fieldhouse is located at 2157 Landstown Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Tickets priced at $30 and $50 will be available at the door or by calling Kenny Miller (757-646-4145), Frankie Filippone (757-537-6210) or the 757 Boxing Gym (757-717-5291). Doors open at 7:00 PM with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 PM. Eight supporting bouts are scheduled with rising heavyweight Travis Kauffman, exciting light middleweight Frankie “The Freight Train” Filippone, Delaware lightweight Joey Tiberi and undefeated Norfolk, Virginia heavyweight Dorset Barnwell all in action.