HEAVYWEIGHTS..."B-WARE" OF STIVERNE

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HEAVYWEIGHTS..."B-WARE" OF STIVERNE

Written by R. B. Jones

Nine5Four The Magazine Boxing Feature: Bermaine Interview by Randall B. Jones – Photos: David Martin-Warr / DKP

Boxing's glamour division has been in dire need of a jolt of excitement by an infusion of new talented fighters. I believe the heavyweight division has just found the guy that can bring the luster back to the sport. This young man hails from Montreal, Canada and wants to follow in the footsteps of the great iconic linear champion that shares the same roots, Lennox Lewis. He has fantastic power and very quick hands, which is a deadly combination for any opponent to combat. His early career consists of nothing but knockouts although he was jobbed in his most recent fight, which is surely to be a tough lesson learned. When you meet him he appears to be very soft spoken but when you talk to him about the boxing game, it’s hard to overlook the passion and desire he has to be successful in his career choice. He is a fighter that loves what he does and is focused on becoming champion in the near future. He has a message for all of the heavyweights out there, “B-WARE!” Here’s your chance to get to know more about this young lion on the prowl that goes by the name of Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne.

How’s it going B-Ware?

BS – Great!

Tell the readers how you got started in boxing?

BS – Let’s just say I followed my father. He was a kick boxer and that was one of my first sports I enjoyed then I ended up in boxing.

Where there other sports you participated in during your high school years?

BS – Yeah, football was what I loved most and the NFL was a dream that ended when I hurt my knee in college. I had to pull out and drop out of school.

What tournaments did you participate in as you began your amateur boxing career?

BS – I traveled around the world as a amateur to places like Mexico, Finland, Brasil, Frankfort, England and so much more. I won gold in the Golden Gloves 5-times, Nationals 4-times, Olympic box off twice, Pre-World tournament and other small tournament. I did very good in all of them.

How did you get the nickname ‘B-Ware’?

BS – I can’t remember but there was a time when I was sparring with others and they would tell them to be aware of my right hand and they kept saying “Beware, Beware” and I liked how it sounded so I kept it.

What was it like growing up in Montreal, Canada?

BS – I was born in Montreal, Canada but I left at the age of 2 to live in Haiti where I lived until I was 15. Then I moved to NYC and then to Miami. After all that I came back to Canada. In Haiti I found out that I was born in Canada when I was 17. Growing up in Haiti was good but I wouldn’t say it was hard because my parents always worked hard to get what they wanted. So, I try to do the same today as my parents showed me.

What prompted your move to Las Vegas, Nevada?

BS – It could have been some where else but at the time I wanted to turn pro and going back to the US was the move I needed to make. I like Vegas and I think it is the home of boxing and has had some of the best fights in the history of boxing.

Who is your trainer and how did you guys hook up?

BS – Don House is my trainer. My manager hooked me up with him. Trust me, House is one of the best trainers out there today and I’ll make sure I back that up.

Tell me what happened during the qualifying tournament for the ’04 Olympics in Mexico that prevented you from making the team?

BS – I only got one thing to say, “I lost to Mexico IN Mexico if you know what I mean!”

Nine5Four The Magazine Boxing Feature: Bermaine

Did that situation disappoint you or did it inspire you to continue on in boxing?

BS – It hurt because it was the Olympics. All amateurs dream of participating in the Olympics someday. But I got right back to it and I think I won 3 tournaments and then turned pro.

I’ve seen several of your fights and I like to compare you to a young Michael Dokes. What is your response to that comparison?

BS – Thank you. I agree with that, he was a great fighter.

Which fighter (past or present) would you compare yourself most to?

BS – I would say that I’m a mix of Lennox Lewis, Michael Dokes and Mike Tyson.

Give me your Top 5 list of favorite fighters of all time.

BS – I have to give you SIX. They are Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Joe Louis and the great one ALI.

Is it true that the now retired linear heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis was once your agent?

BS – No. Lennox is a good friend and he has always back me. This ain’t the first time they asked me that. He’s not my agent but he is my home boy.

Was he a role model for you growing up in Canada?

BS – Yeah man he was.

What do you enjoy most about your boxing career?

BS – Everything man, from being with Don King to being on big events. It’s GREAT and I’m having a good time.

And what do you dislike most about it?

BS – Nothing yet but I’ll be ready IF worst comes.

What are some areas you feel that you need more work on (if any)?

BS – I feel that I still have a lot to learn. You can never learn everything and there’s no end in boxing.

You were 12-0 with 12 straight KO’s going into your last fight on July 7th against Demetrice King. I felt it was a premature stoppage by the referee which resulted in your first lost, but I want you tell me what happened to you in that fight.

BS – Nothing much. I watched the tape and I still feel the same as when I left the ring that night. The ref was terrible but I should have finished him when I had him hurt. I just decided to get more rounds in. Anyone can check my record to see that I’m a bad man but this time I wanted to go longer and I paid the price. Demetrice didn’t beat me and never hurt me. He knows it. Everybody saw what happened which was I was going to take him out in the 5 or 6 round but the ref was incompetent.

So it’s pretty safe to say that the old saying that young KO artists need rounds to gain that all important ring experience goes out the door for you now, right.

BS – That’s what got into my head with that fight. I’ll do my rounds in the gym where it brings the beast outta me. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! If you step in the ring with me, I’m gonna HURT you…real talk! There is no other way…play time is over! I never believed in hurting people before but after what just happened to me, I WILL!

Will you and your team protest the decision or look for a rematch to right the wrong?

BS – It’s in process right now. He would never fight me again but I would love for him to prove me wrong. All I have to say to him is, “Come on man, lets do it one more time!” If not, I keep doing what I do best.

Now you are not exactly unsigned talent being that you are currently promoted by a living legend in Don ‘Only In America’ King as you mentioned earlier. You are more of an up-and-coming star, but tell me how has your career progressed since you signed with DK?

BS – I love the work that they have done for me. But it’s up to me to make sure the work gets done and it will be done.

Point blank, do you feel that Don King is good or bad for the sport of boxing?

BS - Don King is the BEST at what he does!

Being that you are currently 28 years old with 13 bouts under your belt, how long will it be before you move into contention for a title fight in your eyes?

BS – I trust that Don King and I will be champion one day.

Not including yourself, who do YOU believe to be the Top 5 heavyweights in the world today?

BS – Wladimir Klitschko, Samuel Peter, Sultan Ibragimov, Oleg Maskaev and Ruslan Chagaev.

And if you had to choose today, which of the current champions (Klitschko, Maskaev, Ibragimov and Chagaev) would you like to throw down with right now and why?

BS – Klitschko because he is the man right now and also because of the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Has a date and opponent been announced for your next fight?

BS – Yes, October 6th on the Oleg Maskaev vs. Samuel Peter event at Madison Square Garden in NYC. I can’t wait! Get your tickets now!

Outside of boxing, what hobbies or special interests do you have?

BS – Just being a father to my 6 year old son.

What type of music do you listen to and give me your Top 5 artist you enjoy most?

BS – I like hip hop, r&b, jazz, soul and the blues. I’m a musician so I just like all music.

What advice would you give young male and female fighters out there looking to make this sport a career choice?

BS – It takes focus, desire, hard work and belief in yourself and GOD because without him you can’t do anything.

What do you want out of your career?

BS – I want to be a champion and give a better life to my family.

How can the readers contact you and find out more about Bermane ‘B-Ware’ Stiverne?

BS – They can check me out at www.myspace.com/bwareboxing or my email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for now. Also, you can come out to my fight on October 6th at MSG in New York City an meet me in person. Check out www.donking.com for more details.

Thanks for taking the time to share some insight into your life and career. You are one of the most exciting young fighters out there today and only your will and desire will take you to the top. Keep working hard and strengthen your focus and I am sure a title shot will be in the very near future. Do you have any final words for our readers?

BS – BWARE!