Interview Dated March 2005

Robbie McClimans

Robbie McClimans is a prime example of the exciting young pros now emerging onto the recently revitalized Houston Boxing Scene. Having won several state and local titles as an amateur, the 20-year-old cruiserweight pounded his way to victory in his pro debut on January 20th, with a 4th round TKO over Eduardo De Julien of Tyler. McClimans is on the staff on the Cardio Boxing Gym in his home town of Conroe, where he trains with lightweight Mario "Python" Perez. Having tasted his first success in the pro ranks, McClimans is hungry for more.

HBS - Tell me how you first got involved in boxing?

RM - When I was 10 my dad asked me if I wanted to box. He took me to Conroe Rec and just threw (me in). I met Monte Lane and I went on from there.

HBS - You mentioned you had some many amateur fights you can't keep track of them, you had three different books.

RM - I was about 40 and 15, 40 and 20.

HBS - You won some things?

RM - Fourth in the nation, Junior Olympics, won the Texas Games three times, Silver Gloves, went to the Silver Gloves, Golden Gloves, all of them.

HBS - So who has been your trainer for all these years? Today I watched you work out on your own.

RM - For the past eight months we've been working out by ourselves really. Monte's only been here two weeks before my first fight.

HBS - So Monte was the trainer for much of your amateur career or who trained you when your were a kid or a teenager?

RM - Monte Lane. But two weeks before our fight he trained me so we've been training on our own. My first pro fight I trained by myself really.

HBS - Your first fight you stopped the guy in the fourth round. Recount that fight.

RM - First round I seen he started turning purple, his nose and then the second round I knew I had him. I was just pacing myself, just waiting for him to get tired and he didn't come out for the fourth round.

HBS - What is it that you like about the sport?

RM - Keeps me out of trouble, pretty much. Kept me out of the streets and kept me out of jail, all that stuff. I like getting paid to fight.

HBS - You think you've got that type of personality where you might have otherwise found some trouble somewhere?

RM - Not really, it just keeps me out of trouble.

HBS - You hit pretty hard, you're a cruiserweight. Describe your style, what you think you're good at and what you think you might like to improve at if anything?

RM - More aggressive. I like moving around, fighting, countering. But I want to be more aggressive, more fighting inside. I don't want to be flat-footed though. I want to be able to move around.

HBS - Have you been to any of the other gyms around Houston to spar with any of the guys or check them out. What do you think of the other gyms.

RM - They're pretty good. We went. They didn't have no one to spar me. No one wanted to spar me because I'm too big or I guess they don't have nobody pretty much.

HBS - What's in the future for you?

RM - I'm just on a mission. I've lost a lot of weight. I'm just ready, that's it.