Andrew Tabiti Talks Moving Up
On June 15, 2019 the talented cruiserweight Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti (17-1, 13 KO’s) faced Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KO’s) in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series Tournament. Hanging in the balance of that bout was the vacant IBF world cruiserweight title. Once in the ring, Tabiti was sufficiently out-boxed, outworked and brutally knocked out in the tenth period.
Luckily for him, the upbeat Tabiti feels that the experienced gained in that bout has made him a far better fighter. So much so that the Money Team boxer, in a Fight Hype interview, expressed his belief it’s just about time to take his talents up to the heavyweight division. Before absconding immediately to heavyweight however, Tabiti would like to try his hand at grabbing a cruiserweight title a few more times.
“So short term I want to be able to get a couple of belts at the cruiserweight division. So hopefully this is my last year to try to get a belt. Get a rematch with Dorticos, get that belt, fight for the WBC belt and go straight to heavyweight in a year in a half.”
CAMP OF A LIFETIME
In regards to his own personal forecast of how he’ll perform in the 200+ club, Tabiti is anything but bashful. Following the hardcore education that he received from Dorticos, Tabiti continued his advanced fistic curriculum with WBA, WBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua (23-1, 21 KO’s).
The Beast was brought in to help Joshua’s with his preparations for the rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-2, 22 KO’s). While in this camp, Tabiti was able learn a great deal from Joshua, as well as several of the other boxers on hand. Yet, the confidence that Tabiti gained here was priceless.
“It was definitely a confidence booster…I’m starting to see that Joshua was beating other world class fighters up, like [Dereck] Chisora. He’s beating him up and you know, other guys. And I was like the only one doing really well with Joshua. And I was like, ‘man, I can go up to heavyweight and beat these guys! I mean come on.’
So it’s definitely a confidence booster, it’s experience. That’s one thing I was lacking, I have all the skills, I am really smart but once I gained the experience [Dorticos] that fight gave me that, I believe I’ll be the best in the world.”
I WANT EM ALL!!
Given how high he is riding mentally, it’s no wonder that the Beast wants to hit heavyweight ground running.
“I would like Uysk, Andy Ruiz, we could fight Michael Hunter, Gerald Washington, Charles Martin, you know, everybody…we could try to fight Charles Martin right away, Gerald Washington right away. You think I have the skill, I could fight Andy Ruiz. I believe I could beat him.”
Only time will tell how the confident boxer will fair one division north. Nevertheless, as Tabiti said, he is not moving up just yet anyhow. Before he can leave cruiserweight, there is still the unfinished business of obtaining a championship belt and scoring revenge on Dorticos. Let’s see what Tabiti can put together for himself next.
By: Bakari Simpson
