Q & A with Lenny Zappavigna

Hours from now Lenny Zappavigna will be fighting Ji Hoon Kim in an IBF Lightweight eliminator. It’s a huge fight for both men Zappavigna will put his unbeaten record of 24-0(16) on the line against the more experienced Kim 21-6(18) with the winner getting a shot at Miguel Vazquez. Zappavigna 23, who resides in Sydney Australia will have home court advantage fighting at the Olympic Park Sports Centre in Homebush as part of a double header with fellow Australian Daniel Geale against Roman Karmazin in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator. Having gone pro in 2006 on the back of winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth games Zappavigna impressively went about his work, honing his skills before Gary Shaw noticed him in 2009 and brought him to America where “Zappa” has since fought twice winning both. It promises to be a war of attrition between the hard hitters, neither who take a backward step.

Hello Lenny, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have the biggest fight of your career on 31 October against Ji-Hoon Kim, what are your thoughts on the fight and what do you expect from him?

Lenny Zappavigna – I think it will be a good fight because we both come to fight, but I think I will be the stronger fighter because he is a natural junior lightweight and I am a natural lightweight, but no matter what the outcome, points or knockout, I will win, no doubt about it.

Anson Wainwright – In his last fight Kim lost to Miguel Vazquez in an IBF title fight what did you think of that fight?

Lenny Zappavigna – Vazquez boxed well and smart, I think he is a good champion and be looking forward to fighting him for the title.

Anson Wainwright – For those who perhaps haven’t seen you could you descrivbe your style?

Lenny Zappavigna – I’m a boxer puncher. I can brawl if I have to or box. I’m trying to settle a little with every fight that comes along.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at in Australia & when your in America?

Lenny Zappavigna – My trainer is Tommy Mercuri. I have been with him since I was a kid and I have trained at Westside Boxing Gym ever since. My manager is Tony Lacastro, who has been a great help with my career and marketing terms. My promoter is Gary Shaw from America who also is a great help to us and has a great stable of champions and I hope to be one of them in the future.

Anson Wainwright – What were your early years like, was it tough growing up? You were born in Australia but presumably your parents are from Italy?

Lenny Zappavigna – My early years were great; my parents have been really supportive with my career and we live in the luckiest country in the world. There is no hard ship growing up in Australia. Being Italian background is fantastic. We eat the best food in the world and I am proud of my Italian heritage and I look forward to my mum’s cooking after the weigh-ins.

Anson Wainwright – How did you get into Boxing?

Lenny Zappavigna – I was a fat little kid and just wanted to lose weight when I met Tommy in the gym and he told me I had a lot of talent to pursue the sport because I would be a world champion one day and my dream came true, so I fell in love with the sport and hoped to become a multiple champion one day.

Anson Wainwright – You had a good amateur career you won bronze at the 2006 Commonwealth games, can you tell us about that and what other tournaments you won and what your final record was?

Lenny Zappavigna – I really enjoyed the Commonwealth Games, it gave me a lot of worldwide experience and I also fought overseas a lot of times and I won bronze at the Junior World Games. I also won all my national titles. My final record was 105 fights with 95 wins.

Anson Wainwright – Did you fight any fighters who are doing well in the pro’s today? If so who and how did it go?

Lenny Zappavigna – I fought Frankie Gavin in the Commonwealth Games, who went on to win gold and the world titles, but I am not sure if he has turned pro. Editors Note. He has an is currently 8-0(7).

Anson Wainwright – Who was your Boxing hero growing up & what fighters do you enjoy watching now?

Lenny Zappavigna – Mike Tyson was my hero as I was growing up. Now, I enjoy watching Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on the current Lightweight division? Who do you think are the top guys at 135?

Lenny Zappavigna – It’s a great division, one of the best and of course I think I am one of the best, haha. Guys like Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz and Humberto Soto which I would love to fight for the WBC championship belt.

Anson Wainwright – Your countryman Michael Katsidis will fight Juan Manuel Marquez what are your thoughts on that fight?

Lenny Zappavigna – I think it will be a very great fight. I would really like to see Michael win the fight, for it will be great to have two Australian lightweight champions and I think he has a very good chance of winning.

Anson Wainwright – Is a fight with Katsidis possible or are you good friends? How big do you think that fight would be?

Lenny Zappavigna – No, we’ve chosen our path and he’s got his. It would be a shame to destroy two great Australian fighters like they did with Lester Ellis and Barry Michaels. Why destroy two great Australian fighters?

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Lenny Zappavigna – Just like to thank all my fans for supporting me after all these years, and keep supporting me because I promise all of Australia after Sunday I will become a champion and go on to unify the lightweight division.

Best Wishes Lenny, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Special thanks to Brad Arnold for helping to arrange this interview.