Status: Heavyweight contender

Ht: 6-4 Wt: 215

Born On: July 25, 1968 In: Washington, DC

Childhood Heroes: “Like everybody else, Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. Boxing is something I had a passion for as a child, but became very good at it later in life. I guess I was motivated by Muhammad Ali, by the things he did - in and out of the ring.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I love playing pick-up games of basketball. I really enjoy spending time with my wife and my kids, whether it be playing catch with my kids with the football, frisbee, showing them how to kick a soccer ball.”

Nicknames: JuJu, King, Touch of Sleep.

Favorite Movies: “Shawshank Redemption, Cooley High.”

Musical Tastes: “Old school, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass. Just the older music really moves me for some reason. Al Green. Sometimes my wife gets mad at me because I take her on the Al Green tour. Just start playing the music over and over and over [smiles].”

Favorite TV Shows: “Married With Children, Bernie Mac, I really enjoy Sanford And Son.”

Favorite Meal: “Shrimp chicken and pasta.”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Cap’n Crunch.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

First Job: “Summer camp in Washington DC, I was a cook helper. Helped out in the kitchen (age 14).”

First Car: “1977 beige Chevy Nova with a whole bunch of rust spots on it.”

Early Boxing Memory: “Won my first fight. In Scottsdale, Arizona in 1994. Fought a guy from the Marines who I think had ten or more amateur fights. Knocked him out in 90 seconds in the first round. And I went and did a back hand spring because I was so excited about the fight [smiles].”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “Just nervous. Just excited. Dealing with the anxiety of getting ready to go to war, so to speak. (Upon entering the ring do you look at your opponent?) Yeah, sometimes. Just check out his demeanor. His body language. Is he up for this fight? Certain things you see, you can tell, if you look into a man’s eyes. You can tell if he’s really going to put his best foot forward.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “I would say beating Lamon Brewster in the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival was my greatest accomplishment as an amateur boxer. As a boxer, in general. Because I prepared so hard for that particular fight - watching films, the running, the regimen of hitting the bag, the speed bag. There was a number of things I did to prepare for that fight. And at the end, I was behind in the fight, all the way to the last round. And I won by eight or nine points. So I really had picked up like 20 points in the final round. So I thought that was my biggest accomplishment.”

Most Painful Moment: “Losing to Michael Bennett, to go to the Olympics in 2000. I didn’t get robbed. I lost the fight, I didn’t have energy to get through the fight.”

Favorite Boxers: “I like to watch Bernard Hopkins. Because he finds a way to win. Somehow, someway, he’ll get it done. Vernon Forrest has all the goods. I mean, he has a good jab, good right hand, good body shots, he does so many things well. And he sticks to his gameplan. Obviously, the last two fights didn’t go his way, but he’s still one of my guys I look up to.”

Favorite Fights: “Ward-Gatti. Amazing intestinal fortitude to get through the fight. And to comeback and actually put more damage on the guy. I’m hoping I’m half as great when I get in the ring as one of those guys.”

Worst Injury: “Broken jaw - my last fight, Robert Wiggins.”

Childhood Dreams: “I thought I would be the next Randall Cunningham or Doug Williams - black NFL quarterback.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “I’ve never been on a vacation. After this fight will be my first family vacation. I know we’re going to have fun when we take the kids to Disney World.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I would say a genuine, sincere person. I love the truth. Even if it’s something I don’t necessarily like, I admire the truth.”

Family: Wife, Shalifa; son, Dantel; daughter, Alyana; pet snake, Spiral.