Status: Former WBA Cruiserweight champion.

Ht: 5-11 1/2 Wt: 190

Born On: June 3, 1972 In: Noisy-le-Grand, France

Childhood Heroes: “Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns - of this generation. Before that, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Joe Walcott.”

Hobbies/Interests: “Love movies, I like to play squash and basketball.”

Favorite Movies: “Godfather, The Pianist.”

Musical Tastes: “Concerts in music, different kinds, I like rap, also Aznavour, Tracy Chapman and Public Enemy.”

Early Boxing Memory: “My first memory - when I first get into a gym, I was going to train and I collapsed (age 15). Before I was playing soccer - the training for soccer is different. Training for boxing, I didn’t eat before, I just collapsed. People in the gym said I was fragile.”

Favorite Meal: “I have no favorite meal. I like to discover different cooking. I eat whatever is good.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Rum and grapes.”

First Job: “Security guard at McDonalds and also night clubs in Paris.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “It’s feeling or thinking in dressing room - I am the best one and there is nobody in front of me that is better.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “All the titles I won (French LH, WBA International LH & Cruiser, WBA Cruiserweight). Each and every time I won and defended my title.”

Most Painful Moment: “It was when I - my goal was to win big titles, unification - in order to do that I had to leave France and the Acaries brothers (October 2002). I had to come to the U.S.”

Worst Injury: “When I broke my hand in ‘95 in a fight (TKO 4 Frederic Goutal in his second pro fight). Had three surgeries after that.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: “I like very much Roy Jones. I like to watch Mayweather. But Felix Trinidad is on the top today. I like the way he destroys his opponents. He’s the man of all the challenges, of all the defeats.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “There is a fighter in the U.S. I think. He lose the fight and the mother jumped in the ring and knocked down the other guy [smiles].”

Embarrassing Boxing Moment: “What do you mean?”

Childhood Dream: “To succeed in life.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “I like to go to Guadalupe because it’s somewhere I became from. I love to go run in the U.S. Each state is like a different country.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. True. And respect.”

On April 2nd Wayne Braithwaite fight: “When I first come to the U.S. and speak with Don King, it was to make a big fight like it happening with Wayne. In France nobody believed I could make that. And Don make it happen. Like he says, Only in America. If I win I will be the first unified champion in France against someone undefeated and world champion…I am going to win before 12 rounds. I am going to win by knockout.”

Translation by Natalie Cristal.