Wilford Scypion Jr James Slater on another exciting young gun who is trying to step out of his father’s big boxing boots. AS is the case with Ronald Hearns, another son of a boxing legend attempting to follow in his father’s shoes, Wilford Scypion Jr of Lafayette, Louisiana has a lot to live up to whenever he fights.
His father was a crowd-pleasing middleweight contender back in the 1980s, and though he was unable to win a world title, his reputation is a difficult one for his 28-year-old son to follow.
“It can be hard, and it can be distracting at times,” Wilford Jr said when asked about following his dad.
“People have a tendency to always compare us both. But I try to tell them we are two
different people. My dad had punch power, I have it too. But I’m more of a boxer/puncher type. People expect a lot from me when I fight, and I try to make all my fights exciting and action-packed.”
As an amateur Wilford Jr claims a record of 32-2 (28). Softly-spoken and extremely polite (Wilford called me “sir” a number of times) he said: “I boxed at 156 [11st 2lbs] to begin with, and at the end of my amateur career I was up to 165 [11st 11lbs]. I had my first amateur fight in 1991. I was a Golden Gloves and a two-time Silver Gloves champ.”
It seemed natural he’d follow in his dad’s footsteps, but Wilford Jr explains: “He told me it was really up to my mom. At first my mom didn’t want me to box, but she saw how good I was at a young age and changed her mind. As for my dad, he motivates me. It motivates me when I watch his fights. I have a lot of his fights on tape.
“I always bragged about him when he was fighting. I was proud of him and always told everyone he was my dad.
“I don’t like watching his fight with Willie Classen [who subsequently died after getting knocked out in the 10th round in November 1979].”
Wilford seems saddened about the unfortunate turn of events. His dad fought on, of course, and challenged Marvin Hagler for the world middleweight title in 1983, having outpointed Frank “The Animal” Fletcher the same year for his shot.
Wilford Jr is smaller, though. He boxes at light-middle, but is considering dropping to welter. His record stands at 6-0 (6), having turned pro in May 2007.
“Benji Singleton, a veteran of well over a 100 fights, made me think a lot,” he admitted. “Also, Williams Ganes [who Wilford fought last time out on April 23, winning inside four], was very strong.
“I’ve never been hurt in the ring as a pro. I have been knocked down as an amateur, when I fought for the Golden Gloves. But I got straight back up and won.”
Interestingly, he has a female trainer, former Irish pro Deirdre Gogarty. “She’s a very smart trainer,” says Wilford Jnr. “She gave me a B+ for my last fight. I do a lot of good, high class sparring, too. I learn a lot from working with fighters like Reggie Johnson and Marcus Johnson. I try to spar as much as I can. I’m with good people being promoted by Kerry Daigle [of Keep Punching promotions].”
It helps that Wilford Jr loves training. He’s in the gym as often as he can be, sometimes six days a week. As much as he clearly loves boxing, Wilford has a second love – music.
“My grandfather, the late, great L.C Donatto [legendary Louisiana Zydeco musician] got me into it at age four.
“I play in a Zydeco band. I’d have to say, boxing is my first love. I have it in my heart, but I love my music, too. I admire boxers because of what they have to go through.”
He looked up to Sugar Ray Leonard, Pernell Whitaker, Evander Holyfield and Hagler (despite Marvin beating his dad). Another favourite was heavyweight Gerry Cooney, his father’s best friend.
Looking ahead, though, Scypion Jr dreams of fighting either Miguel Cotto or Floyd Mayweather.
“They are two fighters who are the best at or around my weight class,” he said.
“I don’t want to fight anybody like that before I’m ready, though.”
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