Ben edwards interview, fighting Paul Slowinski on october 18

[Eric t]

http://www.sportzblitz.net/forum/topic. ... C_ID=16354

Ben has kindly agreed to answer questions from members about his fight career and will provide tips and insights so feel free to post your questions. We are hoping to get other fighters and trainers involved and will look to edit parts into IK Mag.
Please be respectful with all comments and questions...we may edit the format of some posts.
Enjoy.


IK:
Ben, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and it is most appreciated especially being one of the forum’s favourite fighters! What got you into the fighting arts and can you give us a brief history of your development?

BE:
My pleasure. I was always into boxing as a young lad and wanted to give it a go one day but I was always busy playing footy. I started following the kickboxing on Fox and MMA around 1999 and finally decided to give up footy and have a good crack in 2004. Best thing I ever did.

IK:
What titles have you won? Where did you get the nickname ‘The Guv’?

BE:
ACT WKA Champion
2x WKA Australian Champion
ISKA South Pacific Champion
ISKA World Champion
The Guv came from my mate and manager Nick Bouztos and my other crazy mate Steve Babic. I bare a slightly younger and better looking ( haha ) resemblance to old school British hard man and bare knuckle boxer Lenny “ the Guv'nor” Mclean. I’ve had a few nicknames such as “Bangin’ Benny” coined by Mr Schiavello and some of my other mates reckon it should be “Benny the F****ing Freight Train Edwards”... haha.

IK:
In October you will be fighting Paul 'Sting' Slowinski as main event on the prestigious Evolution 18 in Melbourne with the IK belt being offered for the first time in a heavyweight modified thai rules contest. Where do you feel your advantage lies notwithstanding suffering a defeat in your previous encounter by way of heavy leg kicks. Do you feel promoters are now recognising your crowd appeal after your recent run of savage knockouts?

BE:
I’m very honoured to be fighting on an Evolution show especially with the IK Belt being awarded to the winner. I wouldn't have believed this was possible 18months ago and is a dream come true. I think promoters know now that I do bring in the crowds and win or lose I am there to fight. I knock people out and that is what everybody wants to see. When we first fought, Paul smashed my legs and I had a limp for 6 weeks. It is going to be the fight of my life but I honestly believe I can win. The way I see it is if I make a mistake I will take punishment to the legs which will affect me later in the fight...if Paul makes one mistake he will be asleep. It’s like Russian Roulette and not going to go the distance either way. This is how I like it and am very pumped!

IK:
How important to you is fighting and what are your ambitions for the foreseeable future?

BE:
Fighting is my life. It is my job and I love it. The only time I get my personal life together is when I have a fight coming up. I don’t even have to think about why I do it, it is just a natural progression for me. Fighting within the ring; win, lose or draw, feels totally natural and I yearn for my next contest. Fighting and Kickboxing in general really helped me develop as a young adult because I used to have very low self esteem and would never stick up for myself if confronted even though I used to weigh 143kgs. That’s why a lot of people I knew when I was younger can’t believe what I’m doing for a living now.

IK:
You often joke about your strict training ‘diet’. What do you say to those who may chasten you for not being ‘ripped’? Do you feel endurance is an issue, especially in bouts longer than 3 rounds?

BE:
It’s no secret that I love my food but going into a fight I do eat clean for the most part, just heaps. I have dieted down to 100kgs and looked great with abs and all the rest but fought and felt terrible. It’s just my body type. My dad is 180kgs and 6'5” so it’s genetic that I’m going to carry more fat than usual naturally. I had a few shockers in regards to fitness early in my career due to not training properly but I assure you I can carry the weight and am as fit and train just as hard as any heavyweight out there. Who knows, the fact that I’m a bit of a fatty may make me appeal to many of the punters out there!

IK:
You have enjoyed success in both boxing and kickboxing, but most notably a KO of Australian boxing heavyweight champion John Hopoate. Where do you see your direction in achieving the greatest personal success and are you finding obstacles to achieving your ambitions?

BE:
Right now I’m doing Kickboxing and Boxing. I know I can’t do both forever but the boxing fills in the gaps and keeps me active. I think on my day I could give anyone in the boxing scene a run for their money but fighting regularly on the K1 circuit is my ultimate goal. With regards to my previous boxing success all I will say is that I am here and available and my fists have, and will continue, to do my talking.

IK:
Many describe you as a very easy-going guy who stands up for his principles and gives of his time to those with genuine interest. How do you reconcile this type of personality on the one hand while delivering devastating KO power in the ring to a stranger? Are you a different person when the bell sounds?

BE:
I’m the same person in the ring and out, I just have a job to do in the ring. Business is business and the other guy would KO me in a heartbeat. Fighting is my livelihood . I like to consider myself a respectful person but it makes the job of fighting someone a lot easier if that respect isn't mutual.

IK:
Who do you consider your mentor, your favourite fighter and who do you wish to aspire to in the ring?

BE:
My mentor was my mate and first trainer John Verran who was very much a father figure to me. Tragically he passed away in February this year. He is with me in spirit during every fight.
My favourite kickboxer is ‘John’ Wayne Parr. While he is amongst the best fighters in the world he certainly has the biggest set of walnuts in the game. He chases the hardest fights and challenges and is very humble. That’s the mark of a true champion.
My favourite fighter of all time is MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. He's fat, he's humble and he destroys all. Enough said!
I hope in time i will be known for the same qualities as these 2 gentlemen. I would also just like to give a quick plug to Fadi Noja and Discount Health and fitness for having faith in me and getting onboard and being my first full time financial sponsor.

[Eric t]

Slowinksky is a world class fighter, he has wins over mighty mo and petter graham and ko'd edwards in 2005, be interesting to see how ben does againts him now, slowinsky's chin is pretty average, if edwards can land the right it will be over.

[dan h]

Slowinksky is a world class fighter, he has wins over mighty mo and petter graham and ko'd edwards in 2005, be interesting to see how ben does againts him now, slowinsky's chin is pretty average, if edwards can land the right it will be over.

Did slowinski also KO carnage corbett?

[Eric t]

Slowinksky is a world class fighter, he has wins over mighty mo and petter graham and ko'd edwards in 2005, be interesting to see how ben does againts him now, slowinsky's chin is pretty average, if edwards can land the right it will be over.

Did slowinski also KO carnage corbett?

No he won by ud


He stopped kickboxer-boxer might mo with leg kicks, mighty mo stopped Francois botha in one round with a huge overhand right, apparently botha said he hits harder than tyson and lewis.


You can check out his record at wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Slowinski

[dan h]

Slowinksky is a world class fighter, he has wins over mighty mo and petter graham and ko'd edwards in 2005, be interesting to see how ben does againts him now, slowinsky's chin is pretty average, if edwards can land the right it will be over.

Did slowinski also KO carnage corbett?

No he won by ud


He stopped kickboxer-boxer might mo with leg kicks, mighty mo stopped Francois botha in one round with a huge overhand right, apparently botha said he hits harder than tyson and lewis.


You can check out his record at wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Slowinski

Cheers mate - Anyone who can beat carnage is gun. Carnage's fight against Tyrone Spong was awesome!! that was a value for money PPV

[Eric t]

Cheers mate - Anyone who can beat carnage is gun. Carnage's fight against Tyrone Spong was awesome!! that was a value for money PPV

Are they still going to have a rematch!!!!

[toppity]

No disrespect to Paul, but the fight against Nathan was a long time ago at a lower weight. In my opinion Nathan has moved to a different level now. I reckon he is Australia's best exponent of full thai rules (no disrespect to JWP).

[dan h]

No disrespect to Paul, but the fight against Nathan was a long time ago at a lower weight. In my opinion Nathan has moved to a different level now. I reckon he is Australia's best exponent of full thai rules (no disrespect to JWP).

Nathan is my fav thai fighter but I think you find that the fight with Paul was actually up in weight for carnage (it was at LHW). He also got Koed another time he went up in weight and I have heard him say going up does not suit him at all.

I hope there is a rematch but I don't think Spong would want it to be honest - He knows he was Koed fair and square - all the other crap occured after the fight had been stopped.

[Eric t]

It would have been good if jwp stuck to boxing

I think he got robbed againts nadder, the crowd did too i think, they booed the decision, and i think he got robbed againts mccloud, i didn't see it, i'm sure he said that in a interview.
His hand speed and work rate was excellent, and he is tough and has good defence, he went 12 with bika, he only had 13 fights, would have been interesting to see how good he could have got with his hands if he dedicated himself to boxing, his combo speed is impressive even now, very good hands for a kickboxer

[toppity]

No disrespect to Paul, but the fight against Nathan was a long time ago at a lower weight. In my opinion Nathan has moved to a different level now. I reckon he is Australia's best exponent of full thai rules (no disrespect to JWP).

Nathan is my fav thai fighter but I think you find that the fight with Paul was actually up in weight for carnage (it was at LHW). He also got Koed another time he went up in weight and I have heard him say going up does not suit him at all.

I hope there is a rematch but I don't think Spong would want it to be honest - He knows he was Koed fair and square - all the other crap occured after the fight had been stopped.

i meant lower weight compared to where Paul is fighting now.

[toppity]

It would have been good if jwp stuck to boxing

I think he got robbed againts nadder, the crowd did too i think, they booed the decision, and i think he got robbed againts mccloud, i didn't see it, i'm sure he said that in a interview.
His hand speed and work rate was excellent, and he is tough and has good defence, he went 12 with bika, he only had 13 fights, would have been interesting to see how good he could have got with his hands if he dedicated himself to boxing, his combo speed is impressive even now, very good hands for a kickboxer

even though he knock out my mate in a boxing match, i reckon JWP is/was best served sticking with muay thai. That's what his gym is aimed at, and that is where his heart is. Stick with what you love i reckon.

[Eric t]

even though he knock out my mate in a boxing match, i reckon JWP is/was best served sticking with muay thai. That's what his gym is aimed at, and that is where his heart is. Stick with what you love i reckon.

Yeah that's true, if his heart ain't in it he won't put 100% in it

Dawson seems to be enjoying the boxing but i don't think he is good enough to win a title, i may be wrong, who knows with his new trainer and all the good sparring he is getting he could improve a lot.