When Marcus Browne enters the ring at the Nassau Coliseum Saturday Night in New York, staring across the ring from him will be a familiar face in Sean Monaghan.
Both ranked within the top 10 of the World Boxing Council (WBC), both Browne and Monaghan put their respective perfect records on the line (Browne: 19-0; Monaghan 28-0) in the hopes of landing a title fight against Adonis Stevenson who sits firmly atop the division.
Before facing off, Browne sat down with BSO to discuss not just the business at hand but his passionate quest for financial freedom, modest win celebrations and why the people who know him best call him Grandpa.
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BSO: Your last win came against Thomas Williams Jr. where you won by 6th round knockout. The win is great but what you learn from your performance is even better. Is there anything you would have done differently or was the fight according to plan?
MB: Definitely went according to plan. Everything felt right. The things that he does well we took away and exploited the things that he doesn’t. He kept throwing the big left hand so when his attention was there I came around with the hook and eventually we won.
BSO: So when the knockout came did you felt you had the fight in hand or was that a surprise?
MB: Nah [not surprised] I was chillin’ and in control. My trainer wanted me to be a little more active or whatever but I felt like I had the fight in control, so I didn’t want to go crazy. I just took my time and allowed things to happen.
BSO: How did you celebrate your win, or any of your wins? Do you run out and buy luxury items?
MB: Nah, I usually run back home to my lady and my daughter and then my cousin will come over and that’s about it. Now that I have a home, I’ll probably have a BBQ after this one and that’s about it. But no clubbing.
BSO: On Saturday you face Sean Monaghan in a battle of Staten Island vs. Long Island. You know him pretty well and have spent a lot of time sparring with him over the years. Is it challenging to keep yourself focused on the task since you know him so well?
MB: Not at all. We have a main goal. We train for everyone like they are a world champion and then when we get there [to a championship fight] we’ll have to train even harder. I can’t allow Sean to come in and spoil what I have going on. I’m locked in. I’ve been locked in for a minute and I’m ready to handle business.
I’m tired of training, I just want to fight already.