Towering heavyweight giant Skipp “Strictly Business” Scott (16-1, 10 KOs), the 6′ 8″ native of Houston, Texas, would like to set the record straight about his upcoming fight with heavily hyped, but untested Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington (11-0, 8 KOs).
The two mammoth heavyweights (Washington stands 6′ 5″) will collide in the 10-round co-main event on Thursday, April 3, when Golden Boy Live! presents “Night Of The Heavyweights,” a tripleheader of heavyweight action on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes, from the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
In the 10-round main event, unbeaten Cuban Luis Ortiz will take on long-time top contender and world-title challenger Monte Barrett and, in the televised opener, 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale will face veteran Nagy Aguilera.
Scott, who started boxing in 2006 after acquiring a black belt and having 85 fights as a kickboxer, has decades experience in the combat sports, and says he feels the hype around Washington is unwarranted.
“Besides being represented by Al Haymon, what’s he really got going for him that would make him the favorite over me?” asked Scott about Washington. “I’m not saying I’ve been in with the world’s best, but he’s never fought anyone remotely challenging. I’ve at least fought for a title against a guy 23-6. Washington is a football player who came to the fight game late. His biggest win was against 41-year-old Sherman Williams. Why would anyone call me a test for him? Wait until the fight is over to call anyone the ‘next American heavyweight.'”
Scott, who has run off his 16 straight wins since losing his professional boxing debut while finding the switch from kickboxing to boxing awkward against Aaron Lyons, says he’s also bringing in two secret weapons to his corner on fight night.
Legendary Hall of Fame Trainer Jessie Reid will serve as his co-trainer, along with well-respected Houston boxing staple, Aaron Navarro.
Reid has handled the careers of such greats as Roger Mayweather, Lamon Brewster, Johnny Tapia, Orlando Canizales, Reggie Johnson and Bruce Curry among the 23 World Champions and over 40 world-rated boxers he’s worked with.
And Navarro worked the opponent’s corner in Washington’s last fight, against the very same, and now 12-14-1, Arron Lyons, and got a good look at him.
“Jessie Reid knows how to beat anybody,” continued Scott. “His record speaks for itself. And Aaron got a close-up chance to study this guy and knows all his strengths and weaknesses and trust me when I say we’re going to be exploiting all of them. If you take away all his hype, you have a toss-up fight between two guys who are hungry to prove they’re the next big thing. I realize I’ll be fighting basically in his backyard, but I want a fair shake from the officials and fans and I promise you, I will make the most of it. I’m the fighter people will be excited about after this is all over.”
