Interview with Nana Konadu

Former three-time world champion, Nana "the Ashanti Warrior" Konadu from Sunyani in Ghana now (41-4-1) with 32KO's is one of Ghana's outstanding champions ever produced. Konadu's expected to make his next ring appearance on (5/12)at the Madison Square Garden Arena, New York City on the undercard of Trinidad-Joppy bout. He'll take on unbeaten Daniel Seda (16-0). For tickets info. call Ike at: (718)469-9265

How long have you been preparing for this May 12, fight with Seda?

I've been preparing for this fight for over 8 weeks now. I trained at Freddy Roach gym in Holywood, Calif. We're ready to go now. I'm just ready, we're here in New York to accomplish our mission and do the best. I have been in this boxing game for a long time now. I hope he's prepared for me. I've no choice but to win this fight then I should be able to get a title shot. This is my chance.

What's your impression of opponent, Daniel Seda?

I've seen his tape. He's an olympian. I can tell you this, I know Gold medalist who got beaten. He won a bronze medal so what? I respect him as a fighter but I don't think he can handle my experience. I'm prepared to stop him. It will be like a teacher and a student in that ring on May 12. I have been in this game before him. I know the game more than him so I don't know why they choose him. Felix Trinidad Sr. also trains Seda and they have been selecting opponents for him.

What do you remember most about your pro debut against George Freeman?

My first professional fight was a 10 rounder and I won that fight but they made it a draw. Boxing fans in Ghana were so mad ready to start some trouble but thank God nothing happen. It was a tough fight, I was tied but I finished the fight 10 rounds.

Why did you decide to box?

My father died when I was just 7 years old. After his death, things just changed rapidly. Things became hard for my mother to raise us, no food to eat. So I became a street boy I had to go out to struggle and find what we need to eat. I'm still supporting my whole family now, my Mother, brothers and sisters. Things were really tough for us. We grew up in a hard way. My older brother worked at the Stadium in Ghana as a messager, he asked me if I wanted to box. So he took me to the stadium to meet the coach then I started to learn to box from there on. I got into amateur and did very well. I became very popular in Ghana though I couldn't get to fight outside Ghana. I was in the Ghanaian National Boxing team for 6 years. I never got to travel untill 1981 my first international amateur fight I had was in Montreal, Canada and I lost the first fight to a Cuban world amateur champion, I can't remember his name now but I learn a lot from that fight. He was too good, I was just confused, I didn't know what to do, he had skills and experience over me. It was my first international fight. He was hitting me with everything. I was registered to fight flyweight but when we got there they put me to fight him at Banatamweight.

Your childhood hero?

I loved Marvin Hagler and he was the man. I loved the way he fought. Before that I adored Mohammed Ali. My African hero is Azumah Nelson. I like him a lot and learn a lot from him. I used to go to all his fights with him so I worked with him often. Azumah advised me on how to be discipline and training hard. Also David Poison was the first Ghanaian featherweight world champion, he opened the door for all of us so we respect him a lot in Ghana and we appreciate him.

How old are your kids now?

I'm married with three children, both my boy 5 and 3 years old are Nana and my daughter Vida is 15 years old.

How did you get your ring name "Astanti Warrior"?

I'm from the tribe and I fight like a warrior that's why I have accomplished what I have so far and I'll become a champion again. The fans started to call me by that name. I've a three years contract with Don King so hopefully I'll get a title shot soon. The fans use to call me many names like "fighting computer", "the Rock" and more.

Why is it taking you long to get back in the ring?

I have only fought one (1)fight since two years. I'm not very happy about that. I want to be active not one fight in 2 years. This has brought a lot of pain to me. After my lost to Tapia, I moved up to 126 pounds. I feel, I never get enough attention from my promoter, I deserve to be active, I'm a former three-time world champion. Carl king is my manager, why do I have to fight once in two years?

Your impression of Hamed-Barrera bout?

It was a great fight. I was suppose to fight Naz Hamed a long time a ago. Don King was working on it but it never happened. We'll still fight him, I don't select who I fight, I'll fight anybody in the featherweight division. Hamed's still a good fighter though he lost to Barrera but I would fight him. I don't know if Hamed contract with HBO is finished. I would even fight Barrera but I heard he plans to move down to 122 pounds.

Your thoughts on Botile-Toledo fight?

I think Botile deserves a rematch though I felt something was wrong with him at that last fight. It wasn't Botile that fought Paul Ingle last year. He was slow, no aggression like him and his styles just changed. He didn't throw a lot of punches. I don't mind to fight Toledo if giving the opportunity.

Your impression of Derrick Gainer?

He's a good fighter and a good guy. He's a boxer, mover and uses his jabs well but If I had to fight him I'll stay close to him.

What music do you plan to enter the ring with?

I love to come out with Bob Marley song.

What do you want to tell your fans worldwide?

I love all my fans. I just want them to keep me in their prayers and continue to support me. I'm coming back in happiness. I love Africans all over the world. All I ask for is equal justice to all, love, peace and unity. We need to come together once again. I want some justice in life. It's difficult to understand why we can't agree with each other and the leaders don't want to listen to each other, is sad. We need to respect each other like humans no matter the condition.

Describe your fight with Johnny Tapia?

I don't like to give exuses but I must tell you, I think I did enough to retain my title. I was training in Florida, the scale wasn't good so I relied on that, by the time I knew it, I was 10 pounds, a week before the fight. It was cold wheather so I couldn't really loose the weight, it was hard because there was no sun to sweat me. I didn't eat, I would drink tea with honey and eat apples at nights. I was killing myself to make the weight so I was so weak but thank God, I went the distance. I learn again from this fight, I guess I lost, no exuses but I want an opportunity to prove myself further.

Please, tell us about your last fight? I fought a guy from Panama. I didn't look that impressive maybe that's why the Trinidad people choose to fight me. My last fight I had no sparring just pad work only. I wasn't prepared for the fight but I still stopped him in the 5th round. I think Trinidad people watched my last fight, I was missing some shots there. Sometimes you look good, some times you don't look that good.

Compare your two fights with Sung Kil Moon?

The first fight Referee said there was a headbutt, I don't know where he saw that but they set a rematch in Spain, I went over there broke my right hand. I couldn't fight but I tried. I had to have a surgery in Spain. As long as I could fight again, I'm happy.

How about Daorung Chuvatana?

The first one wasn't good enough because they robbed me in his Country, Korea. The judges were scared of the fans reactions so thay gave it to him. Second fight I thought him a boxing lesson and took my title back.