Status: Heavyweight contender.

Ht: 6-1 Wt: 220

Born On: November 27, 1973 In: Buffalo, N.Y.

Childhood Heroes: “When you talk about the sport of boxing, I’ve always been a boxing fan. I go way back to guys like Joe Louis, of course Muhammad Ali and even more so, Rocky Marciano. For obvious reasons - the undefeated record. For things these guys did inside and outside the ring is what I respect more. In our day, I respect different guys for different reasons. Obviously, Holyfield’s a warrior. And Tyson - for some of the things he’s done during his reign. None of the guys from today are the all around package, to respect them inside and outside the ring - like they did back then, like Louis, Marciano.”

Hobbies/Interests: “Well, actually I’m a student, off and on. So that keeps me pretty busy. I just graduated from a community college up in Buffalo - Erie Community College. Now I’m going to continue to get my Bachelor’s degree. Because of all the demands of boxing, all the training, all the traveling, if I can sneak in a course or two here and there, I do that. I’m very avid about doing that. I’ve always wanted to be a school teacher. So besides my boxing and going to school, I like to do my recreational activities like skiing, swimming, and things like that.”

Favorite Movies: “Favorite sports movie - Rudy. Of course, Rocky - that’s kind of cliched. Pulp Fiction.”

Musical Tastes: “If you saw my music collection, you’d probably laugh. I go from Garth Brooks to Tupac, country, a little rap and hip-hop, I got the J-Lo CD’s. And I have Hootie & The Blowfish, Counting Crows and Moby. So, you name it and I got the CD.”

Favorite TV Shows: “I’m a Sopranos fan, Sex In The City, Inside The NFL, SportsCenter.”

Early Boxing Memory: “My first amateur fight. One of my fondest and earliest memories. 1993. We fought a kid - The Raging Bull Thompson and I was the underdog. A kid that had a little more experience than me. The Raging Bull they called him…I was nearly crapping myself [smiles]. And I stopped him. And I knew nothing about the sport. If you saw the film you’d probably laugh. But I did enough to get the job done.”

Favorite Meal: “Anything Italian.”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Don’t eat cereal.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Let’s see - black raspberry.”

Pre-Fight Feeling: “Very relaxed. I have the nerves, butterflies and jitters like everyone else. But I’m a pretty mellow person. It takes a lot to get me excited. I’m relaxed and level-headed. I keep a very peaceful mind. I listen to some relaxing music - I have some gospel music I listen to. I stay very focused and imagine what I’m going to do in the ring. Imagine myself in there boxing against my opponent. Very calm. Always look at my opponent. Just to send a message out. Keep eye contact. Let them know I’m not trying to look away or afraid of anything.”

First Car: “Blue Ford Escort.”

First Job: “First and only job - I worked at a restaurant called Jamaica Joe’s. For six years. I worked as a busboy, became a waiter, bartender, did everything. Almost started managing the place. Then I stopped working there to become a boxer.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “A couple. Recently I won the NABF title (KO 1 Robert Davis in 2003). That’s probably my greatest professional win. As an amateur, becoming the Olympic alternate in ‘96, beating - my first win against Lawrence Clay-Bey. And also I got to run the Olympic torch in the year 2001. I was the last person to carry it, right up until midnight when it changed from 2001 to 2002. It was a real big deal in Buffalo.”

Most Painful Moment: “Losing the fight to Clay-Bey to be the Olympian. Not going to the Olympics. Clay-Bey stopped me in the first round in Augusta, Georgia, the last fight going into the Olympics.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “No, we pretty much laugh every day, through negotiations and business proposals. Those things are kind of funny sometimes. But I have no real funny moment, no.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “Anywhere in the Caribbean.”

Favorite Fights: “Pryor-Arguello. What other wars are there…any Gatti fight. Gatti-Ward.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Gatti. Everyone likes to watch Gatti. Huge fan of his. Don’t want to fight like him but I love to watch him. As far as heavyweights go, I’ve always been a fan of Holyfield. I thought he was very intelligent in the ring, but that was years ago. Always fun to watch Mike years ago. Smaller divisions - I think Oscar De La Hoya is the best. Love watching Oscar.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I like people like myself. Low-key but know how to have a nice time. And have a good laugh, enjoy themselves. And intelligent at the same time.”