“COME OUT OF THE CLOSET!” — “Slick” Nick Kisner Calls Out Venroy July – Boxing News
Exclusive Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Photo copyrighted by RSR
“I am trying to get a fight with Venroy July, but as it seems, he wants no part of me and keeps making pathetic excuses to not put himself in the fight. So if I can get him to come out of his closet, that would be the next big thing that I would love to have!” – “Slick” Nick Kisner.
The DMV is known for a talent rich group of upcoming young fighters and one of those is Cruiserweight “Slick” Nick Kisner who currently sports a 11-0-1, 5 KO’s professional fight record. Kisner wants a match with another local fan favorite in Venroy July who is also undefeated. The sport needs fights like this, so hopefully this exclusive interview with Nick will bring July out to fight.
Ladies and Gentlemen, “Slick” Nick Kisner…
RSR: What is next up in your boxing career?
I would really like to get back in the ring ASAP. As of right now, the only sure thing I have is March 9th on a card in Millersville, MD. I am trying to get a fight with Venroy July, but it appears he wants no part of me and keeps making pathetic excuses to not put himself in the fight. So if I can get him to come out of his closet that would be the next big thing that I would love to have!
RSR: Looking at your fight record, you had over a year layoff between fights in 2011 to 2012. What caused that?
I was going through many problems, such as family issues, and court issues. I was still trying to get fights set up, but everytime something came through it messed me up. It was really due to court issues. It is very important in the game to sign with the right people. It can really mess/hurt your career up, like it did me there for a while.
RSR: Where did your nickname “Slick” come from?
I got my nickname when I was about 4 years old or so in the gym. I was in the mirror throwing punches and was acting like punches were coming back at me. I was moving my head leaning back and rolling with my shoulders while all the guys in the gym started laughing. Mike Paschall a local fighter in the gym said that’s “slick nick right there” and it stuck with me all through my amateur days and now as a professional as well.
RSR: To date, who do you feel was your toughest opponent and why?
I would say that my toughest opponent to date was Deleon Tinsley. You would think it would be the draw on my record, but that fight was actually an easy fight that most people thought I clearly won with ease. But the fight was in his hometown and I was giving a very shocking draw. So I’d definitely have to say Deleon Tinsley.
RSR: What do you think of the boxers who are out there using “PEDS”?
I think fighters using “PEDS” should definitely be suspended. We’re not trying to find out who’s the best fighter on them, we’re trying to see who is the actually the best with no help from using them. It seems that fighters are becoming found more with them than ever. I definitely think it should stop. The game needs to be clean.
RSR: Who is your favorite fighter of all-time and why?
I’d have to say it is Joe Calzaghe, and slightly behind him Sugar Ray Robinson. I like Joe because no one believed in him. He comes from a small town in Wales and was trained by his father. Everyone always said that he would have to get a new trainer and switch his style up. He stuck to his guns and did it his way staying with his father and kept his same style to become the super middleweight and light heavyweight champion of the world. At one time he was seen as the best P4P fighter in the world behind Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, JR. He is without a doubt, a great fighter.
RSR: What is your favorite fight of all-time and why?
My favorite fight had to be Joe Calzaghe Vs Roy Jones, JR. Roy came out and put him down hard, but Joe still got up and put the best display of boxing I have ever seen. It was a total masterpiece from round 2 to 12. I had to give it to Roy though, he showed a lot of heart in the fight and kept trying. Joe was just too much that night.
RSR: What is the first car you owned and any funny stories?
The first car I owned and now still is my car is a 2003 gold Alero. The first car I ever drove though when I got my license was my dad’s SUV. The first day I got my license I was in a razor thin to a horrible accident. I knew right then and there that NASCAR would never be in my future. (Big laugh)
RSR: What is your favorite word?
Greatness.
RSR: What is your least favorite word?
Can’t.
RSR: If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one CD and one movie, what would your picks be?
If I was stranded on an island the main CD I would bring would be something by Eminem. He’s by far my favorite artist. I am a huge fan of horror movies, but my favorite actor is Adam Sandler, so anything with him is good. And my favorite actress is Rachel McAdams. I love any movie of hers, as long as I can ignore the romantic parts. I don’t like seeing my future wife being kissed. (Big laugh)
RSR: Do you favor a mandatory retirement fund for all boxers and if so, how would you like to see it accomplished?
I think boxing should definitely have a retirement fund for them. Sadly, I don’t think you will ever see it. I think most of the public thinks of fighters as barbaric people and not the smartest as well. Fighters I think for the most part are very intelligent and passionate people. We have enough fighting everyday in our lives; we don’t need more outside of the ring. Look at the heavyweight champion of the world, Wladimir Klistchko. He holds a Masters Degree as a doctor, and knows multiple languages. His brother Vitali is huge in Ukraine politics. Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino Congressman. The list is too long to name all the fighters today world who hold many college degrees. You even have fighters such as Roy Jones, JR., Paulie Malinaggi, and BJ Flores who are now being broadcasters on national and world wide television, who are very well spoken and intelligent. Oscar De La Hoya runs a world wide multimillion dollar company. No doubt that fighters are very smart and passionate people. I wish more of the public could understand that.
RSR: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by?
“Never give up. Anything in this world is possible.”
Nick Kisner
Nickname: “Slick”
Division: Cruiserweight
Record: 11-0-1, 5 KO’s
Date Opponent W-L-D Location Result
2012-12-08 Jermaine Walker 2-0-0 Williamson, US W UD 6
2011-08-19 Rayshawn Myers 4-9-0 Baltimore, US W UD 4
2011-05-21 DeLeon Tinsley 9-9-1 Millersville, US W UD 6
2011-04-23 Andre Ward 0-0-0 Washington, US D SD 4
2011-04-15 Leo Bercier 8-15-1 Millersville, US W UD 4
2011-02-05 James Pratt 2-7-0 Charlotte, US W KO 1
2010-10-16 Kenneth Farr 0-3-0 Wilson, US W TKO 2
2010-09-18 Robert Hunt 1-13-0 Hampton, US W TKO 2
2010-06-17 Tauheed Wheeler 0-0-0 Baltimore, US W UD 4
2010-04-02 Octavius Davis 2-5-1 Glen Burnie, US W KO 2
2010-03-20 Kevin Johnson 3-3-0 Baltimore, US W TKO 3
2010-01-31 Francois Ambang 2-4-1 Fort Washington, US W MD 4
