World middleweight contender Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (26-0, 20 KOs), rated No. 6 by the World Boxing Association (“WBA”), has been enjoying the sweet life since his last fight, in which the undefeated, rising star’s HBO debut last November in Cancun resulted in a sixth round stoppage of Craig McEwan.
The 28-year-old bi-coastal resident of Los Angeles and New York City has been busy continuing to hone his skills, pushing his conditioning to the maximum, and marketing himself from coast to coast.
“Kid Chocolate” recently sat on the hot seat to talk about his sweet life:
Quillin’s new advisor Al Hayman
“Al Hayman can bring me to another level. Look at the interest in his fighters. My co-managers, John Seip and Jimmy McDevitt, have been doing a good job and they’ll continue to do so. They think adding Al as an advisor is a good idea, which proves to me how much they really care about me. Al’s the right guy to market my story: I moved from the mean streets Grand Rapids to New York City, into a similar environment, just fighting and sleeping on floors to survive. I’ve learned a lot the hard way.”
What Quillin’s been up to
“I went back to New York City after my last fight. I sparred with Carl Froch when he was getting ready to fight Andre Ward. I went home to Grand Rapids where I started boxing. I was invited there to go to a boxing program as a role model for young kids at a boxing camp/clinics. In walked Jonathan Banks and Andre Dirrell, who I sparred with he’s very talented. I was blessed to be in that situation. I went back to New York City and connected with Austin Trout, who is a world champion and real cool guy.
“In New York, I went to Gleason’s Gym to support an amateur show and was a guest on a Sirius boxing show with Randy Gordon and Gerry Cooney. I also appeared on two HBO shows: On Freddie Roach and How To Make It In America.”
Why Andy Lee fight fell apart
“I agreed to fight Andy Lee. There may be a lot of reasons why it didn’t happen, but I guess it couldn’t happen because of boxing politics.”
Winky Wright Fight
“We both agreed by the Nevada Athletic Commission won’t approve his license because of his age and inactivity. It’s a risky fight I’m still willing to take. I weighed the risks and rewards. It’s a risk because I could lose but it’s the reward is beating a big name on my record. It can also get me closer to my world title shot that I’ve worked so hard for.
“Not fighting on the May 5th Mayweather-Cotto card in Las Vegas had nothing to do with me and Winky. We both signed and everything was in place. You can’t stop haters, though. They’re trying to bring me down. They don’t understand the boxing business.”
What’s Next for “Kid Chocolate”
“They’re still working on a date. It still could be May 5. There will be a May fight for me, maybe against Winky.”
Team Chocolate
“I have a hard working promoter, Golden Boy, and a strong team with my co-managers John and Jimmy, Al Hayman as my new advisor, trainers Freddie Roach and Eric Brown, publicist Bob Trieger and Pablo Hernandez, who created my website and manages my social networking.”
Boxing as his chosen occupation
“Boxing has been the reason I went from Grand Rapids to New York City and Los Angeles. After sleeping on floors and my other struggles, I’ve been a pro boxer for almost seven years. I have a nice car, apartment and been able to travel back and forth – Grand Rapids, New York City and LA — and to other nice places like Miami. Boxing has provided me with the lifestyle I lead today and the best is yet to come.”
