Brandon Quarles: Boxing Prospect Sets Sights on Middleweight Division
Exclusive Interview by Marc Anthony
“I know he is coming with his “A” game and I am coming with my “A+” game.” — Brandon Quarles
Brandon Quarles, 7-0, 2 KO’s, is starting to make a name for himself in the boxing world, with speed combined with technique presenting a hard combination to beat. He trains out of Club One Fitness, home of Paul “The Punisher” Williams. His last fight was on HBO boxing after dark against Cory Preston and won by split decision.
Brandon is set to face Omar Sims in the Club One Fitness and Jeter Promotions event on February 25th, 2012, at Club One Fitness located at 1131 Benfield Blvd St. M-Q Millersville, Maryland for tickets and more information on the card you can call 410-729-3900 or visit the gym.
Brandon takes time from his training camp and sits with RSR…
MA: Tell us something about yourself.
I have been in boxing since the age of 16 and I got involved in boxing by a friend I used to hang around. I always wanted to box. So, one day, I just walked into the gym with him and I never left.
MA: Does your friend still box?
No, he got killed. He stopped boxing a couple months after I started.
MA: Did you play any other sports before you got involved with boxing?
I played basketball all my life until the age of 16. I played for my high school in my freshman year and, also in the 9th grade, I played AAU basketball.
MA: Do you still follow basketball?
Yes.
MA: What is your favorite team?
I like the Lakers, I like Kobe.
MA: How did you hook up at Club One Fitness?
My manager trains Paul Williams there. George Peterson. He trained him there and he said to go along there with him.
MA: How do you feel you match up against Omar Sims in your upcoming fight?
He is a tough guy. I know he is coming with his “A” game and I am coming with my “A+” game. I am ready for what he is bringing. I believe he will bring the best out of me and I also believe my best is better than his.
MA: What are your thoughts on the current state of middleweight division?
It’s a tough division.
MA: Do you consider yourself a boxer with speed?
I consider myself as an “I can adapt” boxer. If I have to fight fast, I will fight fast. If I have to back it down, I will back it down.
MA: In your amateur career what did you start off as?
I started off as a banger. My coach was telling me that I have to stop banging and start boxing more. I started to box so I wouldn’t leave myself open.
MA: Are you always in shape or do you allow yourself to get out of shape?
I am always in the gym. It’s what I do!
MA: Do you have any pets?
Yeah, I have four dogs.
MA: What kind of dogs?
Bully pit bulls, American Bully.
MA: Are you breeding them?
Not at the moment, but I do also breed them.
MA: The HBO Boxing After Dark experience…what was that like?
That was a big phase. Lots of lights, it was something I had to adapt to. I had never fought for HBO and it was something I had to adapt to. It was a big show but I pulled off the win, it was a good experience.
MA: Off the wall question: do you believe in ghosts?
Yeah, I believe in ghosts, yup.
MA: When did you start believing in ghosts?
All my life. I used to watch that show on Lifetime, “Unsolved Mysteries.” That show made me believe in ghosts for some reason.
MA: Plan on staying in the middleweight division?
I am also in the junior middleweights, I fight back in forth.
MA: Which do you favor more?
Junior middleweights but it doesn’t matter.
MA: Any superstitions before a fight?
No, I just wake up in the morning ready to fight that night.
MA: Who do you like in boxing?
I used to like Ricky Hatton and a lot of friends always laughed at me because my favorite fighter is Jermain Taylor. I always like him and I am going tell you why. He is not the most skilled fighter but he has heart. He has a lot of heart. He will fight in any weight class. The man has heart. Every time he lost, he always beat himself.
MA: Were you a bit heartbroken when you saw him fight in the super six?
Yeah, I was sad for him. I watched him on ESPN when I first started boxing.
MA: The back story when they showed it was pretty heartbreaking too.
Oh man yeah, but you know this is boxing things happen and if he could bounce back, he will be a stronger man.
Brandon Quarles
Division: Middleweight
Professional Record: 7-0-0, 2 KO’s
2011-07-09 Corey Preston 1-5-0 Atlantic City, US W SD 4
2011-05-21 Aaron Williams 0-1-0 Wilson, US W UD 4
2011-04-23 David Tomlin 0-1-0 Washington, US W TKO 1
2010-11-06 Lawrence Jones 3-2-2 Fairfax, US W UD 4
2010-10-16 Michael Taylor 0-3-0 Wilson, US W TKO 1
2010-08-26 Kelvin Kibler 0-3-1 Columbia, US W UD 4
2010-07-10 Vincent Batteast 1-2-1 Fairfax, US W UD 4
