Interviews

Brooklyn-based pro boxer, Jonathan “El Conquistador” Cepeda joins Brooklynfights.com for an exclusive interview. Cepeda cites his tenacity, upbringing and faith as the key ingredients in his success in the ring. You have a standout pro record of 17-1, and are ranked 45 in the US, in the middleweight division. At age 30, you’re in your physical prime. What’s your plan to break into the realm of ultra-elite fighters on the national stage? My plan is to get signed with a top promoter and be ready when I get back on the national televised circuit. You’ve talked about learning to...

Brooklynfights.com joins World Heavyweight Champion, Sonya Lamonakis for an exclusive interview at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. A dedicated NYC public school teacher, Lamonakis speaks of turning crisis into empowerment in her own life, as well as the importance of discipline and respect inside and out of the ring. You’ve achieved world champion status in the women’s heavyweight division and are currently ranked #2 in the US/ 3 Worldwide, according to Boxrec. What’s next for Sonya Lamonakis in boxing? I have a May 30th match coming up which will be my second world title fight for the UBF, which is...

Scotty “Bang Bang” Burrell (9-2) joins Brooklynfights.com for an exclusive interview. Brooklyn-based Burrell fights March 28 at Resorts World Casino in Queens, NY. What’s your training camp regimen? For this fight I’ve been training 6 days a week, twice sometimes 3 times a day. I’m usually in the boxing gym early morning for my regular training which usually on non-sparring days entails 30 minutes of shadow boxing, 12 rounds of heavy bag work, circuits and ab work. Then a 15 minute jump rope to conclude. I have at times hit the heavy bag for an hour non-stop to push...

Brooklynfights.com caught up with pro boxer, Shawn “Killa” Cameron (8-0), in the run-up to his fight, taking place this Friday at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, NY. We went behind the scenes with the super welterweight southpaw at the world famous Gleason’s Gym, as he prepared to face Aaron Drake (14-7) in Friday’s bout. You have a fight coming up next Friday, 4/10 at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn. Tells us about your training camp regimen and mindset going into that bout. It’s all mental. What I’ve been doing differently this time, I’ve been going to different gyms to...

With her Friday victory against Christina Ruiz, Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent successfully defended the super bantamweight UBF World Title while claiming the vacant IBA belt. Brooklynfights.com caught up with the champ for her take on how the evening unfolded. “Fight night was poppin’. The crowd was large and insane – packed arena to sellout capacity,” said Vincent. “I had a UD decision. It was an easier fight than I expected but she was tough as nails and strong. Once I cracked her she started with the running. I gave her two rounds. The rest were mine.” Shelito added, “Cool...

Brooklynfights.com caught up with undefeated Shelly Vincent (13-0) in the run-up to her bout this Friday, April 3. At stake is her defense of the UBF World Female Super Bantamweight Title and the vacant IBA World Title. Vincent will go toe-to-toe with Christina Ruiz (7-7). The action will take place at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. You have an unblemished pro record, are ranked #1 in the US and #6 in the world in your division, according to Boxrec. As an elite fighter, what’s your mindset in the run-up to Friday’s fight? My mindset is...

Brooklynfights.com caught up with leading online boxing coach, Johnny Nguyen, of Expertboxing.com. Nguyen’s sites does over 1MM minutes of YouTube views per month on topics ranging from footwork to defense and punching technique. Tell us about what ExpertBoxing is, when you started it and why. I started boxing in 2004 becoming really passionate about the sport, training and watching fights. Around 2008, I decided to take a break and do some other things but in my fear of forgetting all the great tips I had picked up over the years, I wrote them down on a notepad on my...