Will Crafty Veteran Shakha Moore Continue his Gate Keeping Role with a Young and Upcoming Fighter, D
On June 10th, veteran boxer Shakha Moore (12-23-3, 2 Kos) from Norwalk, Connecticut will be meeting up against 25 year old Derrick “Bad Boy” Whitley (1-0) of Springfield, Massachusetts in a 4 round fight at the DCU Center, Worcester, Massachusetts. Moore’s pro debut was on May 11, 1996. 20 years ago. I had the chance to speak with Whitley recently (CLICK HERE for Whitley’s interview) and now I wanted to pick Moore’s brain on this matchup.
Pattee Mak: Why take this fight? Whitley only has one professional fight under his belt. I don’t think you ever fought anyone that only had one pro fight on their record to date.
Moore: I took this fight cause I wanted to stay busy. I had a few fights lined up but you know how the game is.
Pattee Mak: Yes I do…. Sometimes it’s hard to get fights to come together
Pattee Mak: I am hearing mixed reviews on this fight. Some are saying he’s a young, hungry fighter and has his family behind him and move quickly up the ladder and others are saying you have way too much experience and knowledge for him but on the flip side your body might not be as quick as someone his age [Shakha is 41]. Your thoughts?
Moore: Well I do have the experience over him and yea he does have his dad [Derrick Whitley 24-25-3, 11 Kos] and uncle [Darren Whitley 13-24-7, 4 Kos]. Shout out to them. They are good people. But at the end of the day, it’s me and him in the ring.
Pattee Mak: For those that think your body is starting to slow down in the ring due to the wars you were in as age is a factor. What do you want to say to them?
Moore: I'm still quick. Gotta remember I'm a certified personal train. Plus I train every day. I've never been in ring wars. I've been in with good fighters but no really bad wars. Besides age is just a number lol.
Pattee Mak: Yes it is.
Pattee Mak: I know you listened to Whitley’s interview. What are your thoughts?
Moore: I heard the interview and my thoughts are pretty much the same. I know he’s gonna come to fight. He's young and hungry, so we just gonna put a good show on win, lose or draw.
Pattee Mak: Also in the interview I brought up your facebook page. In a post on your wall you and your friends were commenting back and forth about this fight. Because you know the Bad Boy’s father will this impact the fight in any way or another post said, “I feel bad for him”.
Moore: I mean as far as the post, people just voice their opinions. At the end of the day he's coming to fight. So am I. That’s the impact.
Pattee Mak: What’s your game plan going into the ring?
Moore: Game plan is to stay busy. Use my experience.
Pattee Mak: You haven’t fought a 4 round fight since 2009. That means you will have a shorter amount of time to get that W. Would you prefer more rounds or is 4 fine by you?
Moore: 4 is good. Don’t matter if it was 6-8-10-12.
Pattee Mak: Thanks so much for the interview. I’ll see you on the 10th.
Moore: Thanks Pattee. Appreciate the interview.
Moore’s Facebook Page: CLICK HERE
