Who Says Dreams Don't Come True??? Khiary Gray, August 17th, Worcester, Massachusetts. The Top
Khiary Gray (15-4-0, 11 Kos) from Worcester, Massachusetts will be finally fighting on August 17, 2018 in his hometown against Antonio Chaves Fernandez, (9-33-4, 3 kos), we know him as “Lino” from Brockton, Massachusetts on the undercard of “Making History” at the Palladium, Worcester, Massachusetts. These two fighters met up previously on July 17, 2015, almost 3 years ago to the penny when Gray (7-0-0) was victorious against Fernandez (5-21-2) by a TKO victory in round 1. Will this fight end up the same way? Is Lino in a better position to win? We know records don’t always tell the true tell and Lino always comes to fight. We shall see. Gray is currently being trained by Ken Ball at Camp Get Right in Worcester.
Gray currently holds the USA New England Welterweight title and previously held the UBF International Super Welterweight Title when he fought Flores and won by decision and later defended the belt when he KO’d Chatman in round 7 of 8.
Pattee Mak: I bet you feel like you just won the lottery. Worcester, Massachusetts. Finally you get to fight in your hometown, in front of your family, friends, your people. Now I know that you are promoted with CES Boxing but this isn’t a CES card, so how did this come about?
Gray: I feel great. It’s one of the best feelings to fight in your hometown. I don’t feel pressure or anything for this fight. I just gotta win and look good winning.
Pattee Mak: This bout is a rematch. The first fight was scheduled for 4 rounds. You won by TKO victory at 2:58 of round 1. So you had about 3 minutes to feel him out and see what he’s about. Do you think he’ll be the exact same Lino this time around? You know he’s going to show up to win and he doesn’t take his fights loosely.
Gray: I am looking forward to a new Lino. He is no pushover. He always comes to fight. I don’t see the same Lino from 2015, that was then this is now.
Pattee Mak: What type of outcome would you like to see come August?
Gray: I would like to see another knockout but I’m not going to look for a knockout. I have his respect from the first fight so I know he going to come different and with a game plan. I just gotta focus on me and take him out his game plan.
Pattee Mak: Did you both ever fight together in the amateurs or spar together?
Gray: We never fought in the amateurs together or spar together.
Pattee Mak: Will your USA New England Welterweight title be up for grabs? If not, when will you be defending the title?
Gray: My belt will not be up for grabs. It sucks but at the same time it’s a fight and I’m coming off a lay off that is to long for me. I like to be active, but this year haven’t been active as much as I wanted to put my belt up on the line.
Pattee Mak: Awhile back you mentioned that you had a bucket list and one of the items on the list was to fight in Madison Square Garden. That was crossed off the list on March 3, 2018. Unfortunately in round 5 of 8 you lost by technical decision. I’m assuming there was a cut?
Gray: Yes Madison square was on my bucket list but fighting in Worcester is my number 1 thing I’ve always wanted to do as a pro fight in my hometown to either defend or gain a title but to have a comeback in Worcester is a plus cause my last fight was stopped due to a cut, not how I’d rather take a loss, everyone knows I fight anyone, anytime, 147-160, I don’t have a problem with that but I wanna make a mark at 147 pounds. The fight should of been called a no contest in my opinion.
Pattee Mak: So I see Worcester is top on the List.
Gray: Fighting in Worcester was my number 1. This was always a dream to fight in my home town with all my family and friends and show them how hard working and how much I wanna put on a show for Worcester and for them to see my talent and skills.
Pattee Mak: I noticed that you were suspended after the fight. Are you currently still suspended?
Gray: Yes I was suspended for 60 days cause of the cut. That’s the rule in New York. I’m still suspended but I just gotta have a doctor say I’m cleared to fight with a note, but I’m cleared, I just need to get him to sign off on a paper to make it official.
Pattee Mak: I’m sure that’ll all happen prior to August.
Pattee Mak: You are VERY supportive of your City. How do the people of Worcester see you when you are walking down the street?
Gray: When I walk down the street people say, “What’s up champ? Let’s go champ. Your one of the best champ. Don’t give up champ”. I love it cause shows that there is people out here in my city that notice the good I’m doing and know it’s not easy we need the support to continue and strive for greatness.
Pattee Mak: Also fighting on the card I just saw was someone close to you, Kendrick Ball, Jr (9-1-2, 6 Kos). I have seen the both of you at many fights together. You have to be excited that the two of you will be fighting on the same card in Worcester.
Gray: It’s a great feeling fighting with one of my best friends on this card in Worcester. He going to come back with a major come back come August 17th, this was one of our dreams to fight on the same card in Worcester and now it is here.
Pattee Mak: You are still young in the boxing game. You are only 25. Do you still want to continue boxing and fighting continuously throughout the year?
Gray: Yes I wanna continue boxing and make money get title and become a legend and icon out of Worcester, Mass and the world.
Pattee Mak: Talk to me about this other career you have…. Barbershop???
Gray: Yes I’m a barber now. I’m in school and all I’ve always had a thing for barbering. I’m always in the barbershop. I have a lot of friends in the hairs industry and I always wanted to do it but I was so busy with boxing and the training the fights were so close, couldn’t go to school and focus but now I have time and now I’m working on getting my barbering license. Every boxer needs a plan B. Can’t just think boxing going to fix everything and help when you’re not fighting.
Pattee Mak: Well said. You still need to pay your bills and put food on your table.
Pattee Mak: I’ll see you and Lino at the fight. Tickets can be purchased directly from Khiary. Thanks so much for the interview.
Gray: Yes. You can’t get tickets from me at Instagram at toosharpgray and other instagram at toosharpbarber and Facebook at khiary Gray and Khiary Too Sharp Gray
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(Above bout is subject to change)
