After a disappointing loss to Sven Ottke in Germany in September of 2000, you came back with an impressive blowout of Esteban Cervantes in December on national television. The way it works out, as I found out previously in my career, when you put on a good showing like I did against Cervantes, you think it ll help you out in terms of a title shot, but it doesn t. It scares other possible opponents off. When I knock guys out, as with Cervantes, no one calls me out. After December, I didn t hear anyone calling.
Many American fighters refuse to fight in Europe, because of questionable officiating and judging.
For two reasons. We all thought the first one was a blow of a fight, that it d be easy. I won the fight hands down. Second, the money was good. Ottke is one of the most disregarded world champions in boxing, no question.