Q 'n' A With Antwone Smith

NEW YORK (July 8, 2010) – While Philadelphia’s Mike Jones has been getting most of the headlines leading into fight night in Atlantic City, N.J., many have not forgotten about the talented Antwone Smith, the principal fighter in a 10-round welterweight co-feature on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, July 9, live on SHOWTIME ® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the ballroom at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

Smith (18-1-1, 10 KOs) will face Houston’s Lanardo Tyner (23-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight matchup. In a 12-round main event, Philadelphia’s welterweight prospect Jones (21-0, 17 KOs) will take on Puerto Rico’s Irving Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs).

Smith took time out during fight week to answer six questions.

Question: Is it true you don’t scout or watch your opponents on tape? Why is that?

Smith: “Yeah, that’s right. I don’t need to watch tape. He (Tyner) has fought some guys I know like Lamont Peterson. I’m not saying he won’t be tough. He’ll come out strong, but I know I’m going to take him. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.

Question: You have said that a fight with Mike Jones could take you from being a prospect to a contender. Do you have him in your sights?

Smith: “I’m focused on Lanardo Tyner right now. I have said that and I don’t think it’s a secret that we will get it on if we both keep winning, possibly just once more. But we both have to focus on Friday night. If we don’t one of us might get caught. As far as the future goes I think a lot will tell on how well we perform on Friday night.

Question: What goes through your mind five hours before a fight? Even one hour before a fight? What do you do to relax?

Smith: “I just bum around. Just relax. Eat, drink and just focus on what I have to do. But I don’t sit there and meditate or visualize a game plan because once you get in the ring it could all change. Whatever happens is going to happen so there’s no sense wasting a bunch of energy thinking about it.

Question: So no game plan going into the fight?

Smith: I’ve prepared myself for whatever he’s going to bring so I’m just going to fight the fight.

Question: What is one thing people might not know about you?

Smith: “That I’m a pretty boring guy. I like to just hang out with my family for fun. I like to play video games and just chill. I like to go out to eat with friends. That’s about it.

Question: You’re in Atlantic City. What will the table game of choice be after the fight?

Smith: “I like the slots. Yeah, I think after the fight I’ll try my luck and sit down at some dollar slots and see what comes up.

Curt Menefee will call the action on Friday night from ringside with Steve Farhood and Antonio Tarver serving as expert analysts. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Chuck McKean directing.