Derek “Pooh” Ennis: Enter the Mind of a Philadelphia Champion
Exclusive Interview by Marc Anthony
“I don’t know why people are counting him out. I don’t think they should count him out. Shane still has speed…he has power. All it takes is one punch…” — Derek Ennis
Pooh is a product of family tradition to boxing. His dad is his trainer who is no stranger to the boxing world. Derek is currently riding on the momentum of a ten fight win streak and in his last fight against Gabriel Rosado, where both fighters produced an exciting fight, is still in the memories of many fans.
Looking for a repeat exciting performance, Derek always comes in prepared to do battle and the Philadelphia native and USBA Junior Middleweight Champion, Derek “Pooh” Ennis, 22-2-1, 13 KO’s, is set fight this upcoming Friday in Atlantic City against Cuban boxer Giorbis Barthelemy, 22-8-2, 9 KO’s.
Dee Lee Promotions, Inc., in association with Resorts Casino Hotel present ‘The Next Generation,’ a historic evening of boxing showcasing several of the sport’s greatest blood-lines. A new page will be added to the annals of boxing history when the sons of Foreman, Tiberi and Seldon step into the ring.
Date: March 4, 2011
Time: Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the first bout slated for 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 29, 2011 and are priced at $40, $55, $75, and $100. Tickets can be purchased at Resorts Box Office, through Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000, www.ticketmaster.com or Dee Lee Promotions Inc., at 1.856.692.1206.
MA: A 10 fight win streak with a possible 11 fight win streak after Friday. What do you feel it will take to get some bigger names? It seems you are avoided.
I really don’t know what it takes. First I need to get a win in my fight. That’s all I am really looking forward to.
MA: You have mentioned in the past that you just adjust to a fighter’s style as opposed to watching a lot of tape. Do you feel that is great advantage not worrying about the other fighters?
I really don’t like to watch other people because you never know. Like when he gets in the ring and you are looking for it and he comes at you different, then you are: “What I am going do now?” I just watch until I get in the ring and I adapt.
MA: Is this something you have always done?
I really have always been this way. I really never watch tape on nobody.
MA: You are a very busy fighter do you feel that has been an advantage?
I wish I had even more.
MA: How many fights do you feel you can do a year?
Probably five, hopefully…it’s what I am thinking. I do the rounds and I am in shape. After a fight, I get right back to it, right in the gym. I haven’t fought since July 30th, I have been off for a little bit. I can’t wait to get back in there.
MA: Your last fight was against Gabriel Rosado. What do you recall about that fight?
People were chanting “Gabby…Gabby,” then people were chanting “Pooh…Pooh,” like back and forth.
MA: That sounds like an exciting match.
Yeah, everybody was amped up for it.
MA: Outside of the ring, what do you do to relax?
I was working with kids and I was doing construction for a little bit, but my promoter, he really doesn’t want me working right now. He wants me focusing mainly on boxing. That’s all I have been really doing right now. After my fights, I take off maybe a couple of days, but after that I am back in the gym.
MA: No after party?
Sometimes they throw me a little after party, and sometimes I go to show my face a little bit.
MA: What do you recall growing up in a boxing family?
My dad, yeah, he was pro back in the day. Only reason he stopped, he probably could have been a world champion; he just said it was a dirty business. So he gave it up. He just started training fighters. We always, my brothers, knew how to box but we never got into tournaments or nothing like that. Until we were like sixteen, we had our first tournament. We started winning everything and we took it from there.
MA: Do you like watching boxing or just like to compete?
I watch certain people. I watch certain people…certain stars and then people I support and know.
MA: Like who?
I like Floyd Mayweather, JR. I watch all the big time fights that come up. But I like Floyd’s style. I like Shane Mosley. I like a lot of different fighters. The older fighters are what I like more than anything. I really like Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker and “Sugar” Ray Leonard they’re the ones I really like.
MA: Speaking of Shane, who I am a big fan of, what do you think his chances are against Manny Pacquiao?
I don’t know why people are counting him out. I don’t think they should count him out. Shane still has speed…he has power. There is a puncher’s chance in the boxing world. All it takes is one punch.
MA: That would be crazy if he knocked out Pacquiao.
Yeah.
MA: What’s the current boxing atmosphere in Philadelphia?
Its great man, we have a lot of young fighters coming up and doing their thing right now. Like my brother, Farah, he is going for the NABF Championship. Demetrius Hopkins, there are a lot of guys out there doing their thing… Jamaal Davis, Steve Cunningham, there is a lot of people, Eddie Chambers; I can keep on going naming names.
MA: What is about Philadelphia that produces so many fighters who are tough?
I think it’s a tradition.
MA: What do you want to say in closing?
I just want to say to the people that is reading this, come out and watch the fight. I am going put on a good show. Thanks for all the support. I want to give a shout out…to my promoter Mike Fingerman… my managers, Eddie and Moz and my dad who is my trainer.
Derek Ennis
Nickname: Pooh
Division: light Middleweight
Professional Record: 22-2-1, 13 KO’s
2010-07-30 Gabriel Rosado Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W MD 12 12
USBA light middleweight title
2010-04-02 Jose A. Gonzalez Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W MD 10 10
2010-02-05 Edwin Vazquez Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W TKO 5 8
2009-10-16 Eromosele Albert Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W UD 12 12
vacant USBA light middleweight title
2009-07-10 John Mackey Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W UD 6 6
2009-01-16 Clarence Taylor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W UD 8 8
2008-09-26 Troy Browning Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W UD 10 10
USA Pennsylvania State light middleweight title
USBA Atlantic Coast Region Light Middleweight Title
2008-07-26 Enrique Gallegos Tunica, Mississippi W TKO 1 6
2008-07-12 Robert Kamya Atlantic City, New Jersey W RTD 5 6
2008-06-21 Todd Manning Pennsylvania, United States W KO 2 6
2007-08-24 Alphonso Williams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania L TKO 3 8
2007-06-01 Mike McGuire Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W TKO 1 6
2007-04-21 Edgar Reyes Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W RTD 3 8
2007-02-16 Allen Conyers Miami, Oklahoma L TKO 2 8
2006-04-21 Richard Hall Mount Pleasant, South Carolina W TKO 1 6
2006-03-09 Maxell Taylor Glen Burnie, Maryland D SD 6 6
2006-02-18 Roland Commings Fairfax, Virginia W TKO 2 6
2006-01-26 Martinus Clay Glen Burnie, Maryland W KO 1 6
2005-04-15 Joshua Smith Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W TKO 3 6
2004-10-22 Bruce Corby Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W TKO 3 4
2004-08-06 Vance Garvey Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W UD 4 4
2004-04-09 David Gogichaishvili Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W UD 4 4
2003-10-25 Larry Brothers Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W TKO 3 4
2003-04-17 Jorge Delgado Philadelphia, Pennsylvania W TKO 4 4
2002-08-30 Huston Crayton Taunton, Massachusetts W MD 4 4