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Mark de Mori exclusive interview - By Tony
Nobbs 6/08/04 |
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| On July 30, Mark
‘ The Dominator’ de Mori survived his first
serious test as a professional at the Brisbane
Bronco’s against Samoan Alex ‘Lionheart’ Leapai.
In what was a candidate for fight of the year,
the result was a split six round draw. The
22 year old de Mori took the time to talk
about that fight and much more at his Mermaid
Waters unit. Here is what he had to say.
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Q: You had a tough
night in the office last Friday. Tell us about
that fight with Alex Leapai
A: A tough fight, yes. He was very strong
and had a good chin. I though I did enough,
unlucky with the knockdown (rd 4), I feel
I was pushed, but a draw was not out of the
question. It depends on what the judges are
looking for-his explosiveness or my boxing
and controlling most of the rounds. I’m not
happy with my performance, I feel I was operating
on only 80% but I’ve put that behind me and
am looking forward to my next fight. In boxing
you are only as good as your last fight.
Q: What did you learn?
A: Not to go back in a straight line and lay
on the ropes looking for a rest. The only
time he really caught me was when I looked
to have a rest. I also learnt I can take punishment
and come back which is an important thing.
Q: Was Alex a surprise package?
A: Not really. I knew he would be tough and
had a good amateur background. I think the
difference was me not being on more than anything
he did and if a rematch happened I’d prove
that. |
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Q: What are your immediate
goals?
A: My goals for this year are to stay unbeaten,
have ten fights and gain a top five national
ranking. I want to get in a position where
big fights can happen early next year rather
than later.
Q: You are due to fight on the Briggs-Drews
card in Sydney on August 15. Can you tell
us who your opponent is?
A: At the moment we don’t know. They are still
looking. It will probably be someone from
New Zealand, I think we wont know until next
week for sure. This will be my third fight
this month and my first eight rounder. Unfortunately
I haven’t had any sparring lately so I’ve
been lucky my opponents have been tough and
the fights have gone a few rounds. This is
my second fight for d-Rush promotions, having
fought on their July 17 show and it’s tremendous
exposure fighting on an important show.
Q: What do you think is your best punch?
A: The overhand right. As a heavyweight, most
of my opponents will have a good overhand
right so I have to develop other punches.
My uppercuts, both the right and left are
also good. |
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Q: Tell us about your
trainer Les Wilson and your bond with Joe
Bugner.
A: I got introduced to Les through Gary Lyons
from Perth, who promoted Peter Kinsella and
Joe. Les was happy for me to come over last
November on a one week trial and things went
from there. Les is honest, straight to the
point, qualities I respect. He puts me in
my place at times which is what I need and
look for. Joe, well he possibly took an interest
in me as I’m a heavyweight. As they say, the
heavyweights are the division. He is great,
he gives me advice and helps out with getting
me exposure.
Q: Who are your favourite fighters?
A: Rocky Marciano, because largely of my Italian
heritage and the fact that he was undefeated
and was a very tough fighter who wasn’t expected
to be a great.
Q: What is the story behind your nickname
“The Dominator”?
A: There isn’t really much to that. In the
amateurs it was ‘The Demoroliser’. When I
had my first pro fight, promoter Brian Kirwan
asked Les what my nickname was and they came
up with the dominator.
Q: How would you describe yourself out of
the ring?
A: Laid back. I don’t like to talk it up,
I think in Australia people don’t respect
you if you do that. In America of course it
is different. That’s why Danny Green is so
popular here, he just goes in and does his
job. I’m not a party boy and I don’t go getting
into fights out of the ring. That’s never
been my scene. |
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Q: How have you settled
in to the Gold Coast?
A: Good. It’s a different place than Perth,
very flashy and tourist like. I like the humidity
here, being an asthmatic. It’s great to be
surrounded by boxing, it’s always in the newspapers
and on TV. There are a lot of gyms around,
a lot of experienced boxing people. It’s great
to be around something you love.
Q: Thanks Mark, anything you want to add?
A: Thanks everyone for all the support. It’s
very important to know I have people behind
me. It helps when you have to go to the gym.
My family in Perth don’t like me fighting
but are a tremendous support group. The plan
originally was to fight for the Australian
heavyweight title in Perth sometime this year
but we are definitely looking at fighting
there next year sometime against a credible
opponent and putting on a good show. |
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De Mori Extended - By Tony Nobbs 4/08/04 |
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| In an absolute humdinger
of a main support to this show promoted by
Brian Kirwan’s Red Corner Promotions, Gold
Coast heavyweight prospect Mark De Mori gutted
his way to a six round draw over Samoan Alex
Leapai. Down and all but gone in the fourth
round, 108 kg De Mori (5-0-1, 4 KO) showed
a heart as big as himself by taking the final
two heats to get out with his unbeaten record
intact. |
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| After a competitive opening
two rounds, things heated up in the third
with De Mori in trouble towards the end as
the hard punching Leapai, now based in Woodridge,
south of Brisbane opened up with a two fisted
attack. Round four saw De Mori box well at
the start, as head at the beginning of the
third before Leapai got in with some tremendous
shots and he was credited with a knockdown
after De Mori hit the canvas. |
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| Rounds five and six were
as action packed as most fights but paled
in comparison to the previous two. The fight
was one of the best you could expect from
two heavyweight up and comers and the fans
showed their appreciation by showering the
ring. The term “war” is often over used in
this country but this was a fight that could
be given that description and when the decision
was announced both combatants showed as much
sportsmanship as they had courage! |
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