Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
May 7, 2001

Trinidad, left and Joppy, right, will be fighting it out in the Middleweight World Championship Series. (TVKO)

Check out what middleweight fighter William Joppy had to say about his upcoming fight against Felix "Tito" Trinidad May 12 from Madison Square Garden live on pay-per-view.

Joppy will be bringing his 24 KOs to the ring for a fight to determine the best 160-pound fighter. He is hoping to beat the undefeated World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation 154-pound champion Trinidad, who is moving up to 160-pound category, in the Middleweight World Championship Series.

Joppy has a career record of 32-1-1 and won his most recent match against Jonathan Reid by TKO on December 2. He won his first world championship in 1996 and his only loss came against Julio Cesar Green on Aug. 23, 1997.

To get more information about the fight, log on to TVKO.com.

William Joppy: Hello everybody! To all my fans that are supporting me 100%. I want to thank you all for that. Tune in on May 12.. I have a surprise for everyone!

Question: When did you start boxing?

William Joppy: I started at the age of 20! March 16th 1991 was my first amateur fight.

Question: What fighters did you look up to as a kid?

William Joppy: As a kid coming up, the only ones were Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. At the time they were the household names. In the 70s.

Question: Who has had the most influence on your boxing and your life? Why?

William Joppy: Well I wouldn't say anyone has had influence on my boxing. As far of motivating me, I give myself that credit. But I have to give my Dad credit for his words of encouragement in boxing and life. Everything in general!

Question: 154lbs, 160lbs.. does 6 lbs really make a difference?

William Joppy: I wouldn't say so, but you never know. Trinidad was fighting 147 a year ago! In the gym I spar with cruiserweights all the time and its fine. It depends on the individual. Just because Trinidad is coming up from 147, I am going to treat him like he has been a middleweight his whole career. Whatever he gives me I will take it. I will show I am stronger than him.

Question: Does being the shorter man present any problems in the fight with trinidad?

William Joppy: Well no. Not at all. Even in amateurs I was always the shortest guy. Look at my last 4 or 5 fights. I have always fought tall guys! 6'3", 6'1".. I take them on. If you follow boxing you should know that!

Question: Will are you intimidated at all by Trinidad?

William Joppy: Not at all! We have mutual respect for one another and always have. I respect my opposition but no fear -- no fear at all.

Question: Describe what strategy you will use to defeat Felix Trinidad in your upcoming Fight?

William Joppy: I can't say that! that is why I use different sparring partners. I even used southpaws for this. When it comes time for the fight I will be ready for any situation. Whatever he presents I will deal with it! So we'll see on May 12th. You know, you have a multi-dimensional fighter against a one-dimensional fighter.

Question: Do you consider Trinidad to be one of the best pound for pound fighters? Or is he overrated?

William Joppy: I would say he is over rated a bit. He's a great fighter! Don't get me wrong. One thing about him is that he is a humble guy and doesn't let the celebrity status go to his head. I don't think his opposition has been the best to make him the best pound for pound. But he is a great fighter.

Question: What do you say in response to Trinidad's claims that you haven't fought any quality opponents?

William Joppy: I got to agree with that in a sense. I haven't had the marquee opposition Trinidad has had. This is a business. When you sell seats they pump you more. I haven't had that fan base he has had. Unfortunately African Americans don't stick together like they should and like some other races do. Especially in DC. When Keith Holmes and I were champs a few years ago and we couldn't sell the place out. If we were hispanic we would have needed road blocks! So when Trinidad fights they know it will be a good draw at the gate so he gets the big names opponents. Like De La Hoya! Especially in NY with the Puerto Ricans. Or in Texas against Vargas. They come out with the support. I have fought great fighters with great fighters. That is why I flew over to Japan to get a title. He was a good fighter. People haven't heard of these guys so they put Trinidad on top. If you go to the casual boxing fan and ask who will win this they will say trinidad. But they don't know it like the should. They're hyping Trinidad and that is business. I take care of business IN the ring.

Question: Do you think you have an advantage against Trinidad, being a true middleweight?

William Joppy: That is another I can't answer until May 12th. Like I said he is a big guy and I have seen him. He looks like he could be up to 185 or 190. but I don't think he has the bone structure like I do. he gets big but it is mainly fat! May 12th I am gonna bang with him. Sugar Ray told me you got to gamble. So we are going to test the waters, get my feet wet and give the people what they are paying for. Through my career I haven't gotten the credit. Lampley on HBO didn't give me credit for being a Champion, just a "title holder". In 1996 Takuhara had big posters all over Japan. A small picture of me was on the posters. You needed a magnifying glass to see my picture. But I knocked him out in the 9th. I won't let it all get to me.

Question: What do you think of Trinidad's chin and defense?

William Joppy: His chin is suspect but he has a BIG heart. He is determined and has comes back like a wild boar. I'm going to tame him. We'll find out who has the big heart.

Question: Are there any fighters from the past that you would love to take a shot at in the ring? Who would be your opponent in the ultimate fantasy fight?

William Joppy: Wow. Let me see. I would like to fight Ray Leonard. I like his style. Multi dimensional like myself. He can bang with you and box, comes at you from the front, going back. I like those kind of fights.

Question: Do you think De La Hoya beat him in their bout?

William Joppy: Honestly, yes. I think even though he ran the last 3 or 4 rounds (they say if he had a bike he'd have rode off!), he boxed the hell out of him. he put on a boxing exhibition that night. He laid the blueprint on how to beat him. But I always knew you have to be in top condition and box Trinidad. That is what he

Question: Describe what beating Felix Trinidad would mean to you and your boxing career.

William Joppy: If Trinidad retired today and didn't fight me on Saturday, he would go down as a legend. He did enough and made enough to be remembered as one of the greats. Me on the other hand, if I retire, they would all be like Oh.. William Joppy. He was pretty good but didn't fight anyone. I need this to get me over the hump. I would be in heaven. I WILL be in heaven on Saturday around 12! I know it wouldn't put me down as an all time great, I will need a few more notches on my belt for that, but it would be in the right direction.

Question: What's the most bizarre thing that has ever happened in one of your fights?

William Joppy: I would say when I went for the Championship in 1996 in Yokohama, both of my feet were bleeding because my shoes were too wide. After the fight you could ring my socks out with the blood. My cup didn't fit and it kept falling down! My trainers had to go back to get my mouthpiece I left in the gym, they boiled it and it lost its shape! it didn't fit. But I still won!

Question: What would you say is your biggest asset?

William Joppy: I would say that it was my jab. But I have been working on my hook, that is Trinidad's strong point, but you watch!

William Joppy: Thanks again to all of my supporters! May 12th I will give you my money's worth! Thanks again! Bye!