Toka Kahn-Clary is an undefeated prospect fighting under the Top Rank promotional banner. Clary, is currently competing in the featherweight division which is one of the most stacked weight classes in the sport. Toka is set to return to the ring in September and hopes to move a step closer towards a world title shot.
In my “On The Ropes” boxing radio interview with Toka Kahn-Clary, I discuss with him his boxing career and what got him into the sport. Clary also talks about his fighting style and what he thinks he needs to do to move towards a title shot. Additionally, Toka gives his thoughts on Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas and talks about his own upcoming fight next month. Here is what Toka Kahn-Clary had to say.
Jenna J: Can you tell the fans a little bit about yourself?
Toka Kahn-Clary: I’m a 126lb fighter, I’m from Providence, Rhode Island. I was born in Liberia, in Africa. I’ve been professional for four years now, I’m signed with Top Rank. I’m 19-0 with 13 KO’s currently, and I got a fight coming up on September 24th in Florida.
Jenna J: What brought you to the sport of boxing?
Toka Kahn-Clary: When I was younger I got into a lot of fights. A friend of mine took me to the gym and introduced me to my trainer who is still my trainer now, Peter Manfredo, and I’ve been involved in boxing since then.
Jenna J: What do you think boxing has done for you in your life?
Toka Kahn-Clary: Boxing has definitely changed my life around, because I didn’t really know what I was going to do growing up, I didn’t really have any plans. I really wasn’t the best student, school wasn’t really my main focus and once I started boxing, I realized that it was something that I could be serious about and do for a long time. Boxing definitely changed my life around, because of boxing, I am where I am today.
Jenna J: For fans who haven’t seen you fight, how would you describe your fighting style? What do fans get to see when they see you in the ring?
Toka Kahn-Clary: I’m more of a boxer/puncher, I can stand in the pocket if I have to, I have good footwork, I got good hand speed, I got decent power. I like to use my boxing abilities a lot of times, but I can also adapt to different styles and I feel that is one of my biggest assets, adapting to a fighter’s style and adjusting to what they are doing.
Jenna J: You’re in the featherweight division, do you feel that this year you will take a major step to getting ranked and maybe fighting for a title?
Toka Kahn-Clary: Hopefully. I’m with one of the best promotional companies in the world and I know they are doing a real good job with me, but I do feel that I should be up there right now. I fought some decent opponents — not great opponents, but I fought some decent opponents. I think that within this year, I should be winning some belts and having my name in those top ten spots.
Jenna J: It was recently announced that Manny Pacquiao will be returning to the ring to fight Jessie Vargas on November 5th. What do you think of Pacquiao as a fighter now?
Toka Kahn-Clary: I still think that Manny Pacquiao is a very dangerous fighter. He has a lot of experience and you can’t take that away from him. I feel that Jessie Vargas is a very good opponent for him, a good fight for him to come back. Jessie Vargas is right in front of you, he’s willing to trade. Pacquiao is going to use his angles, his hand speed, his in and out movement to lure Jessie Vargas in and it’s going to be a good fight.
It’s a better fight than him and Terence Crawford because Crawford would have made him think a lot more and not be as aggressive. The fight would not have been as interesting as him and Vargas. Vargas is a good fight for Pacquiao to come back with, then later on see him and Terence Crawford.
Jenna J: Do you think Pacquiao is avoiding Crawford because he has trouble with skilled fighters like him?
Toka Kahn-Clary: I wouldn’t think that he’s avoiding him. My thoughts are, why would he take a tough fight coming back? Not that Vargas isn’t a tough fight, but Terence is a tougher fight than Vargas because Terence is not going to pressure Pacquiao. Vargas is going to be right in front of Manny Pacquiao, so that will be an easier fight for him coming back from his layoff.
After that fight, maybe they will fight Terence Crawford. That would be my gameplan, if I was in Pacquiao’s shoes. Coming out and fighting Terence Crawford wouldn’t be smart for him because Terence is a sit back fighter, he’s very slick and he would be a tough fight for Pacquiao coming back.
Jenna J: When you look at yourself, how far do you think you are from getting a title shot or a title eliminator shot?
Toka Kahn-Clary: I’m fighting ten rounds and I haven’t gone the full distance but hopefully they put me in there with a fighter who will give me ten rounds. I feel that I’m ready, my whole team works hard. Peter Manfredo and I are constantly in the gym working on new things, sticking to the basics some times and just working. I feel that I’m ready for a challenge and it’s up to Bob Arum who is the promoter, but I feel that I’m ready and hopefully we’ll get in there soon to make some noise.
Jenna J: What can the fans expect to see when they see you in the ring on September 24th?
Toka Kahn-Clary: A lot of excitement, I have fun in there. Every time I walk in the ring I have fun. If you’re not having fun at what you’re doing, you’re not doing it at your best. When I go in there, I’m going to throw a lot of punches, and I’m always looking to take the guy out, but if that doesn’t happen, we’re still going to have fun in there and throw a lot of punches.
Crawford is not a tought fight for Pacquiao. It’s Bob Arum who does not like Crawford fighting Pacquiao. It will be a tough fight for Crawford and Arum does not like his next cash cow to lose. Boxing is all business , specially for Arum.
agree
Bob Arum himself said why terence crawford was not lined up to fight manny is because Arum’s matchmakers told him not to match yet terence crawford to manny. at this point of their careers, t-craw is nowhere near the caliber of manny!
Pacquiao is still the reason why Mayweather Jr. doesn’t come in the ring….before boxing announces the Pacquiao-Vargas fight? Mayweather Jr. was almost out of his shell to box again!
Pro Boxing is BUSINESS first and while sports comes second. Top rank is in business of boxing that’s why it has to maximize earnings. So why match Pacman with Crawford when in Toprank’s assesment’s it make no good business sense. Crawford is a rising star and future cash cow of Top Rank, While Pacman is still a cash cow but his profitability is on the decline. So if match its a loose loose proposition for Top Rank. If Crawford Loses to Pacman then the future money maker is done while if the Pacman Loses, the rematch with Money May might be jeopardize. So, Top Rank chooses the most business sense. To take the easy route and prepare for the last bigger bonanza REMATCH fight with Money May. What if MayW loses to Pacman in a REMATCH. then TRILOGY is most likely, and what this mean to TOPRANK, HBO, showtime, TMT and Pacman Means? Dollars, dollars and more dollars.
Manny and Terence next year that would be a hella vu fight.