Post by Stern on Nov 2, 2008 14:49:26 GMT -5
INTERVIEW
WITH
KEITH STERN
AND
WES HOLVERSON
WITH
KEITH STERN
AND
WES HOLVERSON
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Well folks, today is a special day because in the house we have two greats in the world of MMA. One is a former IMMAF Heavyweight Champion and a coach on the current series of The International Fighter. The other is the current IMMAF Lightweight Champion and won The International Fighter 4. What do they have in common? Their both friends and their here together with us today! I'd like to welcome Keith "Ironfist" Stern and Wes Holverson!
KEITH STERN: Thanks, I'm excited to be back.
WES HOLVERSON: Yeah, the same here. You guys have a great thing here.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Thanks guys, it means more coming from two great fighters like yourselves. So tell us, how did you guys become such good friends?
WES HOLVERSON: Keith was the manager of the Chaos Crew East Gym way back when and I was an up-and-comer in the CC. He started training me and he's a cool cat.
KEITH STERN: I knew Wes had something. Kinda like I did when I was a younger fighter. He's a good guy too.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: So Keith, would you say Wes has learned everything he knows from you?
KEITH STERN: Oh, no way! To be a great fighter you have to have some instrinsic skills. I taught him the right ways, he already had the good ways.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Does he remind you of yourself when you were champ?
KEITH STERN: Uh, no, not really. For one, when I was champ, things were different. The heavyweight division was not as stacked as the lightweight division is now. And Wes is a lot younger than I was. I would have probably kept fighting for the gold, but I was getting close to thirty.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Oh, sorry we've been leaving you out, Wes.
WES HOLVERSON: Don't worry, your not any different than any of my past opponents. No one knows where I am.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Speaking of past opponents, sources are reporting that you'll be facing Jeremy Richardson pretty soon after your upcoming fight with Lee Crawford. But before Richardson, what about Crawford? Does he intimidate you?
WES HOLVERSON: Intimidate? No, not at all. Does he prove a threat? Yes, yes he does. He is a great fighter and has a good record to prove it.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Now if you beat Crawford and then you have to face jeremy, it will be the third time you would have to face him. You ended it early in your last two meetings, why does management keep giving you him?
WES HOLVERSON: Because he's a veteran and he can draw a crowd. He's had his chances and when I beat him, his days will be over.
KEITH STERN: "When" you beat him? You mean "if", right?
WES HOLVERSON: No, I don't. I kicked his ass two times and he should not get another chance.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: You know, the third time is the charm.
WES HOLVERSON: Is everyone here against me?
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Nah Wes, were just fuckin' with ya. So you two, what have you guys been doing when your not fighting?
KEITH STERN: I've been busy coaching my team on TIF 6. They are a good group of guys and I think we have a real chance of winning the entire thing.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Weren't you an assistant coach on Team Armour when Wes won TIF?
KEITH STERN: Yep.
WES HOLVERSON: Yeah, he's always been stalking me.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: So what about you Wes? What have you been up to?
WES HOLVERSON: Well, I told you last time that I got engaged. Well, we've been planning the wedding and all that other junk. I leave most of the stuff up to her, but I like organzining the boobs and brews. Keith is one of my groomsmen.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: How did he con you into that deal?
KEITH STERN: I have no idea, but I know one thing, I better be best man!
WES HOLVERSON: No way, dude, you might try something with my wife.
KEITH STERN: It's not like your married yet (laughs).
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Alright, alright, let's get back to the IMMAF. Wes, your the champ, tell us how it's been.
WES HOLVERSON: It's been a dream. Signing the autographs, taking the pictures, wearing the belt. It's all just what I dreamt it would be.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Hey Keith, are you gonna be coming back full-time when you have your fight after TIF?
KEITH STERN: Who knows, maybe, maybe not. It's all how I feel after that fight. But that fight is for sure because I've already signed to fight it. If the people feel I can keep going, I'll probably go. It's a toss up as of now. Maybe my assistant coach Mitch Armour can help me decide.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Oh yeah, I heard you put Armour as your assistant coach like he did for you. Now, you and Mitch go back pretty far. We all know the story of the gym managers leaving the Chaos Crew a while back, why exactly did that happen.
KEITH STERN: Many different reasons. My reason was because I wanted to start my own gym, but that didn't work out because my sponsors backed out. Anyways, I might return there one day, but I'm too busy right now.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: So there are no hard feelings between you two?
KEITH STERN: No way, he's like my best friend.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: What about you, Wes?
WES HOLVERSON: Me and Mitch talk a little. Were not as close as him and Keith, but we talk when there's a chance.
IMMAF MAGAZINE: Well guys, that's all the time we have for this time. God luck to both of you and see ya later!
KEITH STERN AND WES HOLVERSON: Thanks!
