By Jeff Carroll
Although 2020 has produced its fair share of nightmares, there still remains the opportunity for dreams. With boxing slowly returning, we get to now see up and coming contenders finally getting their long delayed shot at a title.
Patrice Volny (15-0-0, 9KO) is currently the NABA Middleweight Champion, the WBO NABO Middleweight Champion and is the #5 ranked contender in the WBO. He gets a chance to achieve those dreams in his next fight against Patrick Wojcicki. The bout, taking place November 14, will be an IBF World Title Eliminator, with the winner getting a shot at Gennadiy Golovkin. The French-Canadian did me the honour of answering his questions in English. Here’s 10 Rounds with Patrice Volny:
- Who would you say has been your single biggest influence in your career?
The biggest influence that I had in my career, ultimately which pushed me into the world of boxing is Ronald “Winky” Wright. I liked the style of this boxer although he is not considered the best boxer overall. For me he deserved the title of number one. His different backgrounds, starting in Europe and ending up in the United States, motivated me to start in the sport.
- What fight has been the most important to you in your career?
The fight that in my opinion has best shown my ability in the ring is my fight against Albert Anolounose. The fight was very important to me because it allowed me to get my hands on the WBO and WBA North American title.
- I know nutrition is a big deal for elite athletes, the real question though, what is your favourite cheat food after a fight?
Haha, after a fight, finally after all the fights, I absolutely have to eat a cheese burger, but long before the cheese burger when I leave the ring I eat a bag of candy at every fight, without missing one. In general, a cheese burger is a great moment of satisfaction.
- What’s your go to music when working out and training?
Music is a source of motivation so in my case I’m going to go for a few more aggressive styles. For example, some rap, or riddim for people used to it. I generally stick to those two styles in training but otherwise I’m not closed off to other musical styles.
- Your first fight was in 2016. What has changed about your style since then? What have you learned?
A lot of things have changed since then in terms of my technique and my understanding of the sport. I have improved a lot during this year with training of course but also on the mental side, my ability to see things, to understand styles, to adapt to all. Things that separate the amateur style from the pro style.
- What are some of your favourite hobbies outside of boxing?
Other than boxing, I love any sport but I particularly like basketball and football. If I go outside the world of sport, I really like cooking, so cooking remains a passion that I use to relax and spend time with myself.
- What sacrifices do you have to make as an elite athlete?
To perform at a high level, it is essential to make sacrifices. For my part, I had a lot of obstacles with my studies and I had to find a balance between the two so I would be able to perform in both, which was very difficult.
- I know you’re based in Montreal, but what is your favourite city to fight in?
I am indeed in Canada in the city of Montreal. I love fighting in Montreal because I live there, all my friends and relatives are there, so it’s a city that I love to fight in, but I cannot forget Toronto where I made a good part of my career. I feel at home there. I have a lot of friends and my sister who lives there so it’s a place for me that is clearly among my favourites.
- If you could call out one middleweight who would it be and why could you beat them?
I think Ryota Murata would be in my sights. I like the style of this boxer. I think I have the style to beat him. We are two very opposite styles but sometimes similar. I think that we could give a really good, exciting fight.
- Finally, can you give a shout out to any up and comers we should follow in the boxing world? Any prospects that we may not be too familiar with?
I have a lot of boxers in mind, one that you have surely heard of is Custio Clayton, Steve Rolls, with whom I put gloves on with often.There is also Lee Reeve a very good boxer from the same promotion team as me and Mazlum Akdeniz, a young boxer from Montreal who has been performing very well since he started.
Patrice Volny travels to Dusseldorf, Germany to fight Patrick Wojcicki on November 14. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for Gennadiy Golovkin’s IBF Middleweight title.
Follow Patrice on IG: @patricevolny or at facebook.com/patrice.volny