BOSWELL IS BACK IN THE RING
By Ron Brashear
Inside Boxing Writer/Columnist
Photo: Ron Brashear/Inside Boxing (Click on picture for larger view)

ATLANTA, GA (IB – February 17, 2005) – It’s hard to believe its already been approximately 1 ½ years ago when Cedric “The Boz” Boswell (21-1, 16 KOs) – undefeated at the time, was 3 minutes away from defeating Jameel McCline (31-4-3, 19 KOs) and perhaps landing a world title shot against IBF Heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. However, an exhausted Boswell had ran out of gas in the 10th and final round and McCline pulled off a come-from-behind rally and stopped Boswell at 2:07 of the final round (McCline went on to later face Chris Byrd for the World Title and lost a close split decision).

Well that was then and this is now. Boswell will be headlining Atlanta’s Friday Night series promoted by Undisputed Productions and it will be taking place at Earthlink Live in Atlanta, Georgia on February 18th, 2005. He will be fighting Wallace McDaniel (5-9, 2 KOs), and is 6’8” & weighs 277lbs, in a six round heavyweight bout.

Here is what Boswell had to say about coming back to the ring after this lay off period following that depressing loss to McCline and a shoulder injury.

RB: What is going through your mind as you are preparing to re-enter the ring tomorrow night?

CB: “It feels great! I need to start off where I left off and get rid of the lost column. I am glad to be fighting again here in Atlanta.”

RB: It’s ironic that the guy you’re facing tomorrow is about the same size as McCline. Will this bring back memories?

CB: “Yes it will. He will just have to get that punishment that I plan to give to McCline the next time. So he is going to get it tomorrow night.”

RB: Do you ever reflect back on the McCline fight and think about if you had only made it the final 3 minutes you would have most likely had a chance to fight for the title?

CB: “A lot of things went through my mind. It’s indescribable. That was my 1st loss and I hated that. I just knew I was going to win that fight. So for it to happen, the way it happened, kind of killed me a little bit. But now I am stronger mentally and physically and I am ready to come back and do it.”

RB: Do you still watch the tape of the McCline fight? If so, how often?

CB: “Man, I have watched that tape a hundred million times. I lost the fight and I can’t make any excuses. Jameel McCline won and hopefully we can get that fight again.”

RB: Was it tough for you to watch McCline fight Chris Byrd for the title and perform so well? Did you ever think to yourself, wow – that should be me in there with Byrd?”

CB: “I didn’t think Jameel was going to do as good as he did. My hat is off to Jameel because he did a great job. He just ran out of gas around the 6th or 7th round. As for me thinking that should have been me in there with Byrd, I feel that I can beat all the heavyweights out there so it doesn’t matter if it’s Chris Byrd or whoever. Hopefully I will get a chance to prove it to everybody. It hurt to see Jameel McCline in a position where I thought I should be.”

RB: With your comeback, what pace will you put on how often you will be fighting?

CB: “We are going to do it just like we did it the last time. We are going to fight every month until we get to where we want to be.”

RB: Well, Cedric I am glad to see that your injury has heeled and I look forward to seeing you back in the ring.

Let’s see if Boswell can relight the fire that was burning so brightly in his career and re-emerge as a heavyweight contender. The journey starts tomorrow night in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Ron Brashear can be contacted at brashear@insideboxing.com, ron@brasheargear.com