Badou Jack Talks Lou Del Valle and John Banks
In the sport of boxing, when a fighter and their trainer part ways, generally speaking it’s the boxer leaving the chief second for perceived greener pastures. However, recently former light heavyweight champion Badou Jack “The Ripper” (22-3-3, 13 KO’s) experienced a bit of a role reversal as he explained in an recent exclusive interview with IFL TV.
Rather than tell his former trainer, Lou Del Valle, that he was seeking something new, it was actually Del Valle who informed Jack that he needed a change. Thankfully, even after Jack was aware that their working relationship was coming to an end, they can still enjoy a warm and beneficial friendship.
“Yeah, me and my former trainer Lou Del Valle, we have been together since 2010 when I first came to the states. Then we had a little break when I moved to Vegas, yeah I brought him back in. And yeah he decided. Yeah he did a video before my last fight that he was not going to continue. He missed his family and he didn’t want to go to Vegas. You know stuff like that and I respect that.
…it caught me a little bit off guard but I just talked to him like two hours ago. He’s my brother for life, it’s not about boxing…he’s my brother, we’re still good friends and I wish him nothing but the best.”
SEARCHING FOR BETTER DAYS
Luckily, Jack did not have to go very long before locating a top notch replacement for his former trainer in Johnathon Banks.
“Yeah, we had to find a new trainer. So we tried a couple of guys and Banks was the best fit…I think that style is good for me, the Kronk style. And it’s not just about style, it’s about chemistry also. And Banks is only I think a year older than me, so we’re about the same age. He’s a young guy, hungry, humble too so yeah. He is a smart trainer and I think we’re going to do good together.”
Ideally, once back in the ring, with the help of Banks, Jack can start putting his career back on a more positive path. The Ripper would lose both of the prizefights that he stage in 2020.
First, Jack lost to “Sir” Marcus Browne (23-1, 16 KO’s) by unanimous decision in a fairly one-sided scrap that was seriously complicated for Jack when he suffered a very nasty cut. Next, Badou Jack lost a highly controversial split decision loss to WBA world light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KO’s). Despite losing on the judges’ scorecards, the crowd at hand heavily booed the ruling. Now, Jack is ready to hop in the ring and get back to his winning ways.
By: Bakari Simpson
