JEFF PAGE JNR, 24, of Kansas is the next foe to face the powerful fists of unbeaten Russian terror Artur Beterbiev. But Page, 15-0(10) does not come across as at all fazed ahead of this, the biggest fight of his fledgling 20-month pro career, and heโs expecting to score the upset in Canada on December 19th.
Q: People seem very impressed with Beterbiev and his power, especially after he blew away Tavoris Cloud (above). How much have you seen of Beterbiev and how impressed are you?
Jeff Page Junior: โI think heโs a great fighter, with great power. It was a great win for him against Cloud, but to me, Tavoris Cloud didnโt really look like he wanted to be in there for anything but a payday. That is not the case with me. Iโm coming to win and I fully expect to get the victory. I have punching power myself, Iโm 15-0 with 13 knockouts (Boxrec have Page at 15-0 with ten KOโs). Iโve seen all of Beterbievโs pro fights and some of his amateur fights. He had a great career as an amateur, but I could have done all the things he did as an amateur, but I just chose to go to college instead, and play college football. And now weโre meeting up as pros.โ
Q: What was your amateur record, and how would you describe your fighting style today?
J.P: โI had around 100 fights. My record was 88 and 11 or 90 and 11, something like that. Iโm fast and explosive. Iโm able to adapt to any style though. I can walk a guy down if he runs, which is what Beterbiev does, and I can use my foot speed and I can use angles. I can do it all.โ
Q: Will this be your first fight in Canada and are you excited or nervous?
J.P: โThis will be my first fight out of the country. Iโm real excited. Iโm not nervous, the fight is still too far away for that. But when I beat this guy, all the doors will open for me. My family and me, weโre hoping for the win and weโre fully expecting the win and then for big things to happen. Thatโs what we train for, the big fights. Iโm always in shape and I want the big fights; thatโs why we took this fight. Iโve only been a pro for 20-months and Iโve had 15 pro fights. This is it for me [boxing], itโs what I do and itโs fulltime.โ
Q: Beterbiev has yet to go past the fourth-round and he seems to always look for the big KO. How will you fight him?
J.P: โIโll move and Iโll box. But make mo mistake, I wonโt run from him, no way! Iโm not afraid to trade with him and I know Iโll be in shape for ten rounds; even though I train for knockouts. This is a great opportunity for me, even though the NABA belt will not be on the line now, so they tell me. Thatโs kind of disappointing but itโs still a great opportunity for me and for my family. It will be great if I can get him into the deep waters, of the second half of the fight, where heโs not comfortable and used to going. I know heโll be in shape, but itโs totally different in a fight when youโre in the later rounds and the other guyโs still coming. Heโs used to getting quick knockouts, but letโs see how he reacts in the second half of the fight when Iโm still coming forward and heโs thinking, โwhat the hell!โโ
Q: You come from a boxing family?
J.P: โMy uncle is my trainer and my Dad is my manager. My 21-year-old brother just went pro. I put the gloves on at age 8 and I loved it from the day my uncle took me to the gym. I like watching guys like Chris Algieri, a great boxer who moves well. And I like watching Gennady Golovkin. I will be working with Golovkinโs trainer Abel Sanchez for this fight. Iโm heading out to Big Bear soon. It will be great working with Abel. Heโs excited about the fight himself and weโll sit down and watch tapes of Beterbiev and heโll teach me things and give me advice. Heโll be my head trainer for this fight. Iโm fully confident Iโll get the win and being the underdog doesnโt bother me at all.โ