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MIKE BRUDENELL: Fuller determined to bring a world title to Detroit Lefty has won last three bouts October 20, 2004
BY MIKE BRUDENELL
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
Detroit southpaw Damian Fuller remembers being crushed the day he suffered his first defeat as an amateur boxer in 1990.
Fuller had lost on points in a Silver Gloves bout in Iowa. He wanted to
cry -- until someone in the ring announced that James (Buster) Douglas
had knocked out Mike Tyson in a stunning upset in Tokyo.
"I didn't feel that bad after that," recalls Fuller, who turned
professional in 1998. "If Iron Mike could be beaten, then anyone could."
Fuller, 27, has made a habit of winning most his fights since the night
of his and Tyson's loss. Before he went pro, he had amassed a 110-15
record as an amateur, finishing third at the National Police Athletic
League tournament in 1996. Although he failed to make the Olympic
trials that year, he was considered one of the best young fighters in
the country.
Eight years later, he wants a crack at a world title, and thinks he can win one.
"I want to bring home a championship for Detroit," said Fuller, whose
record is 24-4 with 11 knockouts. "I'm a Detroit boy. When I fight, I
always carry a reminder of the city's sports teams with me, whether
it's the Lions, Tigers or Pistons."
With a bit of luck, Fuller might already have had a world championship
bout. On Oct. 1, he was scheduled to meet Julio (The Kid) Diaz of
Mexico in California for the IBF lightweight crown. He had signed a
three-fight deal, he says, with Goosen Tudor Promotions, which included
a title bout against Diaz. He flew to Sydney, Australia, to prepare for
the fight.
"I got a call the second week I was there (Sydney) to say Goosen Tudor
couldn't come to an agreement with Diaz about his purse," Fuller said.
"He probably didn't want to fight a southpaw.
"It was a big letdown."
Throughout his career, Fuller has battled back from adversity. He began
boxing as an amateur at the Kronk Gym, under the eye of Emanuel
Steward, at the age of 8. He had about 60 amateur fights while training
at the center that has produced champions the caliber of Tommy Hearns,
Hilmer Kenty and Milton (Ice Man) McCrory.
"Emanuel was a good friend," Fuller said. "It was great at Kronk."
Fuller's first loss as a professional came in his fourth fight, when he
lost to Chad Brisson on points in Windsor. Despite knocking Brisson
down twice, says Fuller, the judges awarded the fight to the "home town
boy."
"It was robbery," said Fuller. "They counted the knockdowns as slips. They stuck me (up) at gunpoint."
Fuller won 18 of his next 19 fights before consecutive losses in April
and June of 2003 to Lovemore N'Dou and Diego Corrales, a former world
champion. Since then, he has won all three of his fights, including a
victory for the NABC lightweight title over John Hoffman last November.
In that period, Fuller has traveled to Australia twice to spar with IBF
junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu in Sydney. Next week, he'll
fly to Phoenix to help Tszyu as the Russian-born Australian prepares to
defend his title against Sharmba Mitchell on Nov. 6.
Fuller, who is ranked No. 11 by the IBF, says he learned plenty from Tszyu while Down Under -- along with enjoying the scenery.
"Kostya's a good guy," Fuller said. "Working with him showed me how to
handle a fighter who is strong and real aggressive. It taught me to
deal with pressure."
Fuller also spent December in Sydney going to Bondi Beach, scene of the volleyball competition during the 2000 Olympics.
"It was 90 degrees and we were eating barbecued chicken on the beach," Fuller said. "I really liked the people over there."
Fuller admits he may have rubbed some folks, including promoters, the
wrong way throughout his career, but he makes no excuses about looking
after himself.
"I'm the one in there taking the punches," Fuller said. "I have to
stick up for myself. The promoters are the ones with the big haircuts
and the fat cigars, who go to the party after the fight. I'm the one
who goes to the hospital."
Fuller, who is training at the Butzel Gym in Detroit, advises young
fighters to get an education and read up on legal contracts. "They need
to know how promoters work to protect themselves," Fuller said.
Fuller's trainer, Tommy Brooks, likes the way Fuller thinks, in and out of the ring.
"He makes quick adjustments," said Brooks, who lives in New Jersey.
"He's a fantastic kid. I've been working with Damian for three years. I
wouldn't bother doing it if I didn't think he could go all the way and
win a championship."
Robert Millender has been managing Fuller for 18 months. He is impressed with Fuller's maturity and work ethic.
"When he's not fighting, Damian buys and remodels houses in Detroit," Millender said.
"He's not one of those guys who runs the streets. Anyway, I really like him -- he's left-handed and so am I."
Contact MIKE BRUDENELL at 313-222-2115 or brudenell@freepress.com.
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