Q&A: Joe Goossen

ORLANDO – One of the great things about conventions is reuniting with a long-lost associate who has so much to catch you up on.

Such was the case at the World Boxing Association Convention, where the opening day meant crossing paths with hall-of-fame trainer Joe Goossen.

Goossen’s here to corner a young heavyweight he’s excited about. Gurgen Hovhannisyan 6-0 (6 KOs), who fights on Friday night’s convention-accompanying, DAZN-streamed fight night promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

As a Premier Boxing Champions on Prime Video analyst, former trainer of Ryan Garcia and one of the sport’s most observant and wise men, Goossen’s takes are typically thoughtful and unique.

So we asked, and received.

Q: There’s so much excitement about Ryan Garcia’s return when his suspension ends in April. Who would you like to see him fight in the return bout, and which opponent, among champions like Teofimo Lopez, Eimantas Stanionis, Mario Barrios and Jaron “Boots” Ennis or Devin Haney again, makes most sense?

First off, I’m very close to Ryan. He’s a good kid. I love him to death. I want to see him do well. Get everything together, because he really is an amazing talent. All the years I’ve been doing this, pound-for-pound, this kid may be the most vicious puncher I’ve ever worked with. So explosive. So crisp. So fast. Shake hands with Ryan Garcia. He’s got a big pair of mitts.That helps out when you’ve got that type of speed. He’s an incredible talent. And I’ve said this before – I don’t think Ryan will lose to a right-hander. Because if he hits you with that left hook – and when you mature, that strength matures with you – he’ll be punching as hard at 147 as he was at 135. It’s hard to bet against Ryan with any right hander.

Q: He’s only lost to the unbeaten southpaw Gervonta “Tank” Davis. You’ve said you’d have liked to have done something differently in that fight. What?

Listen to my instructions between the first and second round, when I told him, “That was a perfect first round, let’s repeat that. Don’t change anything. Keep him at the end of your punches, keep your distance”. When Ryan boxed Devin Haney, “Tank” said, “That’s the way he should’ve boxed me”. Tank is one of a kind – the kind you’d not like to see twice. Haney was kind of the perfect guy for Ryan. If he hits you with that left hand, it’s going to get to you – I don’t care who you are. It hurt Tank a couple times, but Ryan went to the well too often. But Ryan at 147 against a right-hander? I’d pick him against any one of them.

Q: You’ll be back broadcasting February 1 for the David Benavidez-David Morrell light-heavyweight tilt of unbeatens. Anticipating a classic?

Hell, yeah. When have you ever seen Benavidez in a bad fight? He makes you fight whether you want to or not, and this is going to be one of those challenges for Morrell. Is he going to engage the guy or box? Use his southpaw stance and use his size? He’s a big guy; put together well. He’s advanced. I see it as a real strategic fight where Morrell’s team is saying, “We’re strong. We’re not going to be stupid and just get into a brawl”. Morrell’s very good at angles, movement and keeps himself out of danger while Benavidez comes right at you. There’s not a lot of dipping or slipping. He walks right to you. Damn the torpedoes. They go right at you, and dare you to crack their defense because if you do, then I’ll start countering you and beating you to the punch. It’s going to be strategic – who’s going to impose their will or methods on the other?”

Q: One month later, on March 1 from Brooklyn, you’ll be calling “Tank” Davis against Lamont Roach for Davis’ WBA lightweight belt. Where does Davis’ career stand now?

He’s been talking retirement. It seems odd. But he’s been fighting since he was a young kid, before being a teenager. That’s a long time. Unlike a lot of fighters, Tank is set financially and he will be for some time. He’s also involved in a lot of big fights. That requires intense training every time out; a lot of intense sparring; a lot of intense road work. He’s not fighting guys who are 10/1 underdogs. And he’s winning in dynamic fashion. So I understand why he’s talking retirement after more than 20 years. Lots of wear and tear. He’s financially set. I don’t disbelieve him. We should appreciate him while we have him. He’s not going to want to go out with a stinker. He’ll be in tremendous shape, as always. He always comes in on weight. He always figures you out eventually. And he pretty much knocks everyone out. So I wouldn’t expect much different from Tank. He’s not going to slack off. He’s fulfilled a lot of goals.

Q: You’ve got the upcoming middleweight title contender Hamzah Sheeraz training in your gym in preparation for his February 22 shot at WBC champion Carlos Adames. How’s Sheeraz looking?

My associate trainer Ricky Funez is his head trainer. [Sheeraz] is incredibly big [6ft3ins] for his weight, and he’s really grown in experience and technique since he first started coming to the gym around [age] 20. The changes in those years [Sheeraz is 25] can really be a quantum leap at times. He just looks stronger, smarter and better than I’ve ever seen him.

Q: Four of Sheeraz’s past five fights haven’t lasted two rounds and he’s tested himself with left-handers Austin “Ammo” Williams and Tyler Denny. What do you take from that? Will he be a champion after fighting Adames?

Left-handers are notoriously difficult, and he’s looking better and better after every fight. In Adames’ last fight, against Terrell Gausha, he had a difficult time as Gausha was counter-punching the hell out of him. I didn’t see the typical ferocity that I see from Adames. It’s like he took his foot off the gas in that fight and got outmaneuvered in quite a few rounds. That being said, he’s still a dangerous man. You can’t dismiss him. He’s a treacherous puncher. He’s a smart fighter. If he’s more active, he becomes more dangerous. His last fight may have been a one-off; an anomaly. I expect him to be at 120 per cent for Hamzah. But, look, Hamzah is really on a roll and looking very good in his last few fights. Listen, I’m pulling for Hamzah, of course, that’s Ricky’s fighter and he trains out of my gym. What? You think I’m not going to be pulling for him?