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A Chat With Michael McDonald
By Jay Cisco
 It's no secret; Michael McDonald is one of, if not, THE premiere kickboxer in North America. Michael has slowly, over the past few years, worked his way to elite status in the eyes of many in the K-1 organization. His cut physique and his tight, lightning-fast fighting style have made this Canadian one formidable opponent for anyone who steps in the ring with him. Michael's most recent accomplishment was being a finalist in the K-1 USA 2003 tournament in Las Vegas. Michael sat down with us here at Ironlife recently to let us in on where he is at and where he is headed in K-1.
You can find out all about Michael's great career at www.blacksniper.com
Head to Michael's website for in-depth knowledge, pics, and multimedia of The Black Sniper.
Jay: Michael, I want to first off thank you for sitting down with me to chat. To start off, how are you doing?
Michael: I'm doing good. I'm a little bit down and out about Vegas. I felt I won, but I'm not going to cry over spilled milk.
Jay: Let me start off by saying that our website is full of fans who are huge admirers of yours and know a lot about your storied career in K-1. So let's cut out the past and jump to the present. What does the rest of 2003 and 2004 hold for Michael McDonald?
Michael: Hopefully I'm going to fight in October on the show in Osaka. I'm just waiting to hear back from K-1. Sometimes they let me know like 8 days beforehand. I don't really like being told at the last second. That kind of bothers me.
Jay: Now, a lot of your K-1 counterparts have started to cross over into PRIDE. Have you ever considered fighting in PRIDE?
Michael: K-1 asked me if I would a while ago. But I don't want to start at the bottom. I'm hoping I've only got two more years left in my career. But it all depends on the money, never say never. If the money was right, I would fight(in PRIDE).
Jay: Now many of us saw you in the K-1 USA Grand Prix final this year in what is considered a candidate for "Fight of the Year". Now you said previously that you felt you beat Remy Bojansky. I know many fans felt you deserved the nod, tell us why you felt this way.
Michael: I felt I won even before the extra round. I just thought I controlled the fight and was a lot busier than he was. I was definitely a lot busier. I have no idea why they gave the fight to Remy. Sometimes I think they rig the fights for business and financial gains. I never have all the answers. Just when I think I have all the answers, K-1 changes the questions.
Jay: Ok, Michael, to satisfy my own curiosity, whom do you think that has the brightest future in K-1 at the moment beside yourself? Who is the biggest up-and-coming star?
Michael: Remy Bojansky has a bright future. Carter Williams is another guy to watch out for. Mike Bernardo also keeps it going and shouldn't be underestimated.
Jay: I always like to ask everyone in the business this question: What is your opinion of Bob Sapp at the moment?
Michael: Ummm…he's a millionaire. And he's really big…yeah………big. He is very animated and comical. He's more of a sideshow attraction. Bob is not a real fighter. K-1 brought him in to make money. It's all about the money. He's only been in K-1 for two years and he has made more money than any of us. They should be promoting one the established stars instead of Bob. They should be giving the big money to a guy who's paid his dues.
Jay: What ran through your mind when they announced that they were bringing Mike Tyson into K-1 to possibly fight Sapp? Who do you think wins that fight?
Michael: If he plays by the rules, Mike Tyson will do some damage. It depends on whom he fights. We just got to make sure he doesn't try to bite someone's ear off when he is kneed in the clinch. That is the biggest fear among K-1 fighters, Mike breaking the rules in the clinch. I feel fairly confident that Mike can beat Bob.
Jay: Would you take a shot at Tyson if K-1 offered you that fight? What kind of gameplan would implement if you were in that position?
Michael: SHOW ME THE MONEY!!! I don't know. I wouldn't want to really give it away, especially in this interview. I would just study him more. I would use angles and probably try to low kick him. I would probably have to play the angles game and constantly tweak my gameplan because Mike is so unpredictable.
Jay: Onto Carter Williams, would you like another shot at him? What would you do differently that you didn't do last time?
Michael: I wouldn't do anything different than I did in the previous fight. I would just shove him out of the way. The last fight he was just trying to lean against me. Last time I fought him, I came in out of shape. But a win is a win and I will give Carter his due.
Jay: What do you feel is your biggest strength when you step in the ring? What do you have that makes you better and gets you the victory over the guy standing across the ring from you, what quality?
Michael: My mind. I have to be able to outthink my opponent.
Jay: Who is the biggest influence in your life? Who or what motivates you to do what you do?
Michael: I believe in myself. I motivate myself. When I first came to K-1 they said, "You have no heart," and, "You don't have enough power." I believed in myself and had great success in 2001 and 2002.
Jay: Well Michael, I'm all "questioned" out. I really appreciated the time you have taken. I always like to close these little chats with allowing you a moment. I want you to take a moment and leave a personal message for all your fans at Ironlife and around the world.
Michael: Be true to yourself. Be honest with yourself. Believe in yourself and never give up.
Jay: Thank you for your time, as I know it is precious. We look forward to talking with you again in the near future. Good luck with the rest of the year.
Michael: Thank you, I'm going to try to stay busy. Thanks.
* Article By Jay Cisco
* Back to Issue #4 Frontpage
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