Open Letter from Kali Meehan

[ryan711]

Over on sportsnut.com.au there a letter from Kali talkin about a elimination bout, probably against John Ruiz, with the victor to fight the winner of Valuev v Chagaev.and some background on Kali

This is Kali Meehan, and I'm writing this open letter to let the Boxing public know what's going on in my career! I am number ranked number three in the WBA, but I know this surprises some people who don't think I am busy enough so I thought now was a good time to set the record straight.

As I write, I am expecting confirmation of an elimination bout, probably against John Ruiz, with the victor to fight the winner of Valuev v Chagaev.


A bit of background - I turned pro in 1997 in New Zealand, had four fights with four wins, then I moved to Australia, and continued Boxing. After fighting everyone I could in the Pacific, I then had one fight in Japan vs Peter Okello, one fight in England - my first loss to Danny Williams - and a (then) career of 28 wins 1 loss, I was going nowhere in the sport of Boxing. I had fought one guy three times, another guy four times, was promised this, promised that - promised the world and given an atlas. All the while, I was holding down two jobs - rubbish man in the day, security guard in the night. Feeling like I was going nowhere, I walked away from Boxing, and played rugby League!

Two years later I was introduced to my current trainer Mark Janssen and he asked me if I would fight again. I told him I plan to, want to in fact, but its financially too hard. He asked "If i can get you a sponsor so you don't have to work two jobs will you fight?" I said HELL YEAH!! Well, he found me a sponsor and I started training. Two weeks later I was invited to spar John Ruiz, the then WBA heavyweight Champ!

This was the first time I had ever been in the ring with someone from the top level. He was geting ready to fight Rahman and I became his main sparring partner. His then trainer Norm Stone was so happy with my performance during that camp, that he threw me extra bonuses every week and rang Don King in front of me saying "Don, you gotta sign this Aussie kid!"

So here I was, straight from the rubbish truck and into Don King's office, signing a contract with the world's biggest boxing promoter. I went to his training camp and sparred everyone there! Then I was asked to go to Big Bear to help Lamon Brewster, prepare for his WBO shot with Wladimir Klitschko. I fought on the undercard, against Damon Reed in April of 2004, knocking him down five times during the bout and winning by sixth stoppage! After being in the states for ten very interesting and exciting weeks I gratefully returned home to my wife and three boys.

Then I got a phone call - would I agree to fight Brewster for the WBO heavyweight championship of the world in September? I think the answer was obvious, again HELL YEAH! All my prayers were about to be answered, I was going to be the Champ! When I fought Damon Reed five months earlier, he was really a cruiserweight and at no time in the fight did I feel he could hurt me, so this was really my first strong fight in over 2 years and the first time ever fighting at the top level.

I lost the fight by (controversial) split decision, but I remember the feeling of having made it to this level and when people asked if I was angry that I was not awarded the decision, I said "No! I believe I will get the title! I believe I will be Heavyweight Champion of the world!"

I then accepted a fight with Hasim Rahman in November, a decision I now know was too soon after my title fight. I was simply not as focused as I needed to be in training. Added to that, the hype that comes with reaching the top level - fighting at Mandalay Bay for the title - was a lot for a rubbish man to take in. Then, my three sparring partners pulled out with injuries. Not the ideal preparation, but that is sometimes the way with this sport.

I went to New York to fight at Madison Square Garden with hardly any sparring under my belt. We got there two weeks before the fight and planned to spar 30 rounds in the first week, taper off in the second week and then fight. Despite the interrupted preparation, I was confident I would beat Rahman. However, on my second day in New York I pulled a muscle in my neck doing pushups. I couldn't move my neck, let alone train and hardly slept at all. I was at the chiropractor twice a day, all the while walking around trying to hide the ice pack on my neck!

Walking into the ring that night at Madison Square Garden, to fight Rachman, on HBO for IBF, WBC elimination fight, my mind was miles away, and my energy was nothing! so my game plan was to try and take all his punches, and make him tire himself out! (It failed...) I was so drained of energy and with one minute to go of the fifth, he got me with his best punches and whilst he could not knock me down but my Trainer stopped the fight after that round. I was so angry and on the plane home I asked him why he did it? He replied: "Because you were not 100% fit." I said in that case, thank you. A lot of people, particularly my promoter Don King, had high hopes for me before that fight, and I couldnt let that fight break me - rather, it would make me!

Then it was into the boxing wilderness for me, no fights came my way, my manager and sponsor left me, and I had to virtually start again. My trainer Mark Janssen, who is a world class boxing trainer, stands by me and believes in me though and he is the important one!

Since then I have had five fights to bring that hope back, winning them all by KO in the third round, save the fight with DaVarryl Williamson who I knocked out in the sixth! What may not be so clear to the boxing public is the fact that before the Williamson fight I had no sparring and took the fight at nine days notice. For me it was my last chance and he was in his best condition ever being a (then) sparring partner for Vitali Klitschko, while I was pushing a wheelbarrow full of concrete in Australia! I'm proud to hear some people say that was the best knockout they have ever seen! My performance in that fight restored some of the hope Don King had lost in me and I have since fought and won again in February of this year.

I'm ready to fight any heavyweight and every day I email Don King to let him know I'm hungry and willing to fight! I want to fight Valuev for the tittle as I believe he is tailor made for me and believe I will be the first to knock him out. During his fight with Liakhovich, I honestly could have fallen asleep. Some people commented on how good he looked but I honestly don't know what they are talking about! Samuel Peter has no chin, and no stamina - McCline proved that in their fight, but he let his chance go. If I get that chance I will put it all on the line as I always do! Wladimir Klitschko has skills, but if any one makes him fight, he panics!

My goal is to fight for the title, win it and then have a rematch with Rahman. I would take a rematch with him tomorrow if it were offered.

Thanks for reading this far. I promise you will be seeing more of me.

Kali Meehan

[Bentley23]

lets hope he gets his chance

[Marlin]

That was a decent read. I'm not sure why anyone would want to fight Ruiz because it will never be a pretty fight, but seeing it is an eliminator and a fight Kali can win I hope it comes off.

[toppity]

interesting to read. I hope he can follow the outlined track.

[N2 Shape]

The scariest thing to come out of that is John Ruiz might stay be in the frame to participate in eliminators!!!

[buster007]

yes big things were expected of kali after he lost to brewster, but its good to see he is still hungry. i just hope he trains well and enters the ring prepared for his next fights so he can't be left wondering what could have been.

[Cap]

Fingers crossed that Kali knocks Ruiz right out of boxing!

Cap

[Brute]

Good luck to Kali. After all the shit he has had to put up with he deserves a decent break.

[oliverfennell]

Kali's better than the Williams result made him look, but not as good as the Brewster fight made him look. He's not bad as a fringe contender in the current heavyweight environment, but he'll never be a champ. Still, he's good to watch and I wish him luck. I'd sooner see a belt around him than several other guys out there.

[JSA]

^^fair comments. Just an honest fighter and a good bloke.

[awtlinda]

Good to see your still fighting. Hope to see you here in Vegas soon!!!

To bad we can't meet at the Stardust any longer

Linda from Las Vegas

[funso banjo baby]

i hope kali beats Ruiz its a horrible fight to take

kali is exciting


im curious about that punch that ko'd davarryl

seemd to be wrist on the forehead...did the job tho

[buster007]

last i saw ruiz was fighting valuev. so i think you may be confused.

[Brute]

i hope kali beats Ruiz its a horrible fight to take

kali is exciting


im curious about that punch that ko'd davarryl

seemd to be wrist on the forehead...did the job tho

It was an overhand right to the temple. He has KOed everyone he fought since he lost to Rahman using that punch. If he had hit Williamson with his wrist he would not have done the damage and probably would have broken his wrist.

[Brute]

Valuev and Ruiz are fighting each other next. They are the WBA no 1 and no 2 contenders. Meehan is rated no 3. He has to get a shot soon.

[funso banjo baby]

i hope kali beats Ruiz its a horrible fight to take

kali is exciting


im curious about that punch that ko'd davarryl

seemd to be wrist on the forehead...did the job tho

It was an overhand right to the temple. He has KOed everyone he fought since he lost to Rahman using that punch. If he had hit Williamson with his wrist he would not have done the damage and probably would have broken his wrist.

williamson's head snapped back....but it def was the wrist..more then enough to disorientate the guy...still counts tho

[ryan711]

Kali is down to fight Dominique Alexander 17wins and 5 in Berlin Germany on the 30-08 its on the undercard of John Ruiz,Nikolay Valuev.

[toppity]

Kali is down to fight Dominique Alexander 17wins and 5 in Berlin Germany on the 30-08 its on the undercard of John Ruiz,Nikolay Valuev.

another stay busy effort. Good to see, but i would love him to get the big opportunity

[Ultimateboxa2]

Kali is down to fight Dominique Alexander 17wins and 5 in Berlin Germany on the 30-08 its on the undercard of John Ruiz,Nikolay Valuev.

another stay busy effort. Good to see, but i would love him to get the big opportunity

Kali keeps increasing his publcity. He will get his shot.

P.S I haven't seen Kali vs Brewster?

Who won that?

[awtlinda]

KALI SHOULD HAVE WON THAT FIGHT!!!!

[Marlin]

So with Valuev getting the decision over Ruiz and Meehan KOing Alexander in 2 will we now actually see Valuev v Meehan???

[funso banjo baby]

KALI SHOULD HAVE WON THAT FIGHT!!!!

whats more frustrating is the fact that Sprott and danny would def have beaten brewster that night.

as for the dominque result....its a sad state of affairs when so many of us were able to predict a 2nd round KO

kali will be pushed around like a rag doll against Valuev...its a pointless ..therefore inevitable fight

[Brute]

Ever since Meehan beat Williamson rated boxers have been avoiding him like the plague.

[Ross]

good read and thanks fr ground and update, all the best to you

ross

[funso banjo baby]

Ever since Meehan beat Williamson rated boxers have been avoiding him like the plague.

he dsnt need to fight rated boxers

hes got his rating and hes a safe defence so all he has to do is sit it out

but cant see kali's team risking things at this stage

hes beaten one top 20 fighter in williamson

hes lost to the other 3