Jameel McCline BoxingInsider.com Exclusive Biofile Published by Scoop Malinowski Last Updated on April 11th, 2008

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Status: Heavyweight contender.

Ht: 6-6 Wt: 260

Age: 34

Childhood Heroes: My father (Urelius).

Hobbies/Interests: Hobbies are just hangin out with my two daughters. And my two cars.

Nicknames: Big Time, BM – for Big Man.

Favorite Movies: Lords of the Ring – all three of them.

Favorite TV Show: Don’t really have one.

Musical Tastes: Everything from Tori Amos to DMX to Pink Floyd.

Early Boxing Memory: I remember the first time I really decided to be a fighter (ten years ago). Some business acquaintances came to visit me and they said to me, What do you think about making $7,000,000? And I’m like, that’s a lot of money, what risks are involved? And they’re like, Ray Mercer’s going to make $7 million for his next fight. And of course, I’m like, Wow, that’s great. That was my earliest memory of boxing. I started training a week after I got out of prison. I haven’t turned around since.

Favorite Meal: Everything [smiles].

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Great Grains.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Butter pecan [laughs].

Early Training Memory: Training in Kevin Rooney’s gym. It was great. He teaches that style to everyone – no matter how big you are, how small you are – he teaches you the same style. It just happened to fit Mike Tyson great.

Childhood Dream: I wanted to be…I never thought about it.

First Job: I was working at a summer job with a youth program at my junior high school, cleaning it up.

First Car: 1969 Chevy Nova (primer color).

Pre-Fight Feeling: I just like listening to music and relax. (What do you think about?) Technical execution. (Do you look at the opponent upon entering the ring?) I never stare him down in the middle of the ring, no. (Why not?) I don’t know. It’s habit. When I first started boxing I didn’t have the nerve to do it. Now it’s just habit [smiles].

Pre-Fight Meal: Steak.

Greatest Sports Moment: Winning the Heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden.

Most Painful Moment: Running out of gas against Klitschko.

Embarrassing Moment: Can’t remember any right now.

Worst Injury: None.

Favorite Boxers To Watch: I like watching the little guys like Morales, Pacquiao, also Corrales. Love watching them guys.

Favorite Fight: Barrera-Morales.

Funny Boxing Memory: Nothing in boxing makes me laugh [smiles].

Favorite Vacation Spot: St. Lucia.

People Qualities Most Admired: Honesty, integrity.

On Boxing his friend Chris Byrd: This fight is special for me. Ten years after getting out of jail, I’ll be fighting for the heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden… Business is business. In the ring, it’s personal. Everything is personal in the ring. Outside the ring, nothing’s personal. Once we step outside the ring, we’re friends. And I’m sure we’ll get together for dinner again.