Jermaine White, The Midwest’s “Hawk”
By Brett Mauren
At the time of my interview with Jermaine White (17-4 9ko’s) being scheduled he was slated to face Vivian Harris in what would have been an opportunity to take a significant step forward, and kick off the second act of his career. White, the Chicago based welterweight, considers it the second act because he is returning from a hiatus with renewed passion, and a revamped team surrounding him. By the time the interview date had rolled around, however, the fight card was scrapped, and for the second time in mere months “The Hawk” had watched a fight with Harris fall through.
Frustration is a common trend amongst fighters. White’s attitude, however, is not.
Watching White in the gym it becomes clear that he is a fighter with a world of talent, who has been done no favors by the business end of boxing. Talking with White you’ll find that he is something of a boxing historian, and a student of the game. What makes him so easy to root for is the way he takes each setback and converts it into confidence. After suffering four losses to top notch company, including Anthony Peterson, and Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. White has hit the gym with a chip on his shoulder, and a genuine belief that he is better than almost anyone you put in front of him.
Jermaine White is now in Las Vegas, under the tutelage of Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, and aims to open up the second act of his boxing career this Spring, I caught up with him for a conversation on where he’s been, where he is, and where he plans to go.
On his next fight, and plans for the near future:
I’m hoping to get in on March 31 in Seattle, Washington. They want me to come to 136 but I think we’re going to try a catchweight, maybe 140 or something. I feel good at 147, I feel strong. I’m used to guys that are fast and throw a lot of punches. Coming up in weight guys are a little slower, and a little easier to me.
On his previously scheduled fight with Vivian Harris falling through:
It fell through, I don’t know what the issue was, some kind of promotional issue. The first time we were scheduled to fight we had blood work that was done wrong on my behalf, we both signed waivers but the commission didn’t let us fight. Vivian Harris was supposed to be the fight that catapulted me to the next level. It’s very frustrating. My whole career has been frustrating but I take it in stride. It builds character when everything doesn’t come on a silver platter. I didn’t have the perfect matchmaker coming up. I just have to get on the right course.
On his 4 career losses:
If it wasn’t for those losses I wouldn’t have gotten better, I wouldn’t have learned. In reality you have to be prepared. Taking fights on short notice you’re bound to lose. My losses weren’t really decisive losses, I lost to Peterson with 3 pinched nerves in my back, I did manage to swell his eye with my left hook. I fought Chavez at 147, In El Paso, across the street was Mexico, literally, across the street . I signed for a fight at 144 lbs. they said we had to be at 147 when I got there. So I was a blown up lightweight fighting what was pretty much a junior middleweight. It was a promotional game that they got me with.
On the second chapter of his career and training in Vegas:
People looking at my record see 17-4 but fighting in places like Indiana you have to kill their guys to get a decision. People out here in Vegas have told me that I have the best slip game in the business. I think I could beat a lot of these people out here. I had to get rid of some people and gain people on my team that I need to go forward. I’m with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad my main trainer now, Kevin Henry working drills. I get some good help at home in Chicago.
On who he would compare himself to:
I would say the Black murderer’s row. For people who don’t know who they are, they were Great fighters in the 1940’s who just didn’t get the right opportunities. Charlie Burley, one of the great fighters of all time, just didn’t have the management to get a world title shot. Sugar Ray Robinson said “he’s too good for his own good” I feel like one of those kind of guys. I’m a slip master, I frustrate a lot of guys. Real old school style. I can dance, I can square up, and I can bang. Mike Tyson was in here and said “that little man can punch” that meant a lot to me. I think I’m going to surprise a lot of people. A lot of fighters are real basic now days and I think I’m a style that’s hard to deal with.
On his career up to now:
My career and life have been tough. I’ve done well, I won a lot in the amateurs, Nationals, Silver Gloves, all that. But it’s been hard and that taught me a lot about life. There’s been a lot of character building along the way. I see a lot of guys making more money than me but they also have a lot more problems that go along with it. I think I’m in a better situation because of the people around me. I’d much rather have less and be surrounded by people who I know genuinely care about me.
On the next 12 months:
This year I will get some kind of belt, might be regional, anything like that. I will get a belt. Hopefully I can get the Vivian Harris fight again. I think that’s something I’d really like to finally get done, but either way I think it’s going to be a big year and I will have a belt of some kind very soon.
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