Trained by the legendary Roy Jones Sr. undefeated prospect Kelvin Price looks to rise up the rankings and ultimately bring the heavyweight title back to America. The first time I interviewed this fine young man, I was inundated with emails from his peers praising him for his character, his athleticism, and his strong work ethic. His relationship with the great Jones Sr. goes is more than a fighter-trainer business arrangement; it's closer to a father-son relationship. Big Roy is convinced that this young man has all of the tools necessary to rise through the rankings and capture the heavyweight championship of the world.
BH – Kelvin, welcome back.
KP – Thanks, how are you doing Brad?
BH – Doing good man, what's the latest with you Kelvin?
KP – Right now I am still in training, and we're looking forward to getting back in there soon. We're going to get there sooner or later, but sometimes things don't always work out the way you want them to.
BH – So far you have knocked out everyone that you have faced. In your next fight would you like to be matched up against someone that will give you more of a test?
KP – Definitely, and like I told you before, coming here under the tutelage of Roy Jones Sr. is like going to Princeton [College]. I definitely would like to get in there against someone where I can show what I can do a little bit.
BH – You're a former professional basketball player. Talk about both boxing and basketball. Is there anything within each sport that you can say is the same?
KP – Well, with all sports, they are related in some way or shape. I bring certain aspects of playing basketball to boxing. I understand different offenses and positions of plays, and you can relate that to boxing because I have to think about: do I press here? Or I need to lay back here? I need to do this and that; there's a lot of things to compare both sports to.
BH – What about conditioning?
KP – Well, individual sports take more out of you. With team sports you can hide, you can take a play off. Boxing it's just you; you can't take off a play. Whatever those fans see, it's you. All eyes are on you. You don't have another game to make something up if you miss a shot or make up for a missed shot with a blocked shot; in boxing it's just you.
BH – Talk about your relationship with Roy Jones Sr.
KP – We have a great relationship; it's not just a trainer-boxer relationship. It's more than that; I have a father, but with Roy I have a second father. I have made sacrifices for him, and he has made sacrifices for me. I want to make him proud just as much as I want to make my parents proud; I want to make both of them proud.
BH – What is one of the most important things that Roy Jones Sr. has taught you?
KP – Roy instills patience in you. Why run somewhere when you can walk somewhere? There's no need to rush things; take your time, and you will get there sooner or later. If you rush, you're going to hit something.
BH – Your last fight was in March, I am guessing that you're itching to get back in there.
KP – Definitely, everybody gets that itch especially when you train for something. If you got a greyhound dog, they are trained to run, same thing with a boxer. I am ready to get out there and put on a show.
BH – Last time I interviewed you, I received an email from one of your coaches from UNC Charlotte. He was very, very complimentary of you. He spoke on your character, your work ethic, and a host of other praises. Talk about character and how important that is to you.
KP – Character is very, very important to me. Most of my friends and people that know me say that I am a man of my word. That's why Roy and I get along so well, we're both men of our word. If we give you our word, you can take it to the bank. I want all of my friends to know that at the end of the day, I am here for them, and I am here to talk to you if you need me.
BH – Your coach from UNC Charlotte said that you were one of the most intense basketball players that he's ever seen. I am guessing your intentions are to impose that same will on your opponents in boxing.
KP – Definitely, I intend to impose that will on all of my opponents. In basketball I played center, and I should have been playing power forward. In college you have to play the position where they need you though. I never really got a chance to really show my skills in basketball. In boxing I am ready to bring that same intensity and drive into the boxing ring.
BH – When you look at the current field of heavyweights, what's different about you?
KP – I am still in the early stages of my career, so I am not looking to call anybody out. But if they come out, I am ready to put them back in. I have a style that is my style, but there are some portions of my game that has signs of Derrick Gainer and Roy Jones Jr., but we all have our own characteristics. I am able to adapt to my opponent's style. I can change up my game and adjust to whatever style I face in the ring.
BH – Kelvin, we look forward to seeing you back in the ring. Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?
KP – Keep looking for me, I am coming. It takes a little time for good things to come along, but I am on my way.
