LockerRoom Feature: Pro Boxer CLEOTIS 'MOOKIE' PENDARVIS (Los Angeles, CA)

Since turning pro in 2K4 after a fantastic run as an amateur,  26-year-old Los Angeles native Cleotis 'Mookie' Pendarvis has done nothing but impress in the ring with lots of success thus far, holding the title belts in both the IBF/USBA WBC/USNBC Jr. Welterweight and WBF/USA Intercontinental Welterweight divisions with a current record of 15-3-1 and 5 KO's. With his possession of sheer drive, determination and passion, Mookie is aiming to become one of the next great pugilists in the history of professional boxing. Pendarvis took timeout from his busy workout schedule to chat about the sport of boxing, his words of widsom for aspiring young athletes and more.

RG: If you had to compare your style of boxing to two legends that's ever done it in the ring, who would they be?

CMP: Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor.

RG: What are your feelings on the current state of men's amateur boxing here in the USA, especially with our disappointing performance in this year's summer Olympics in London? What needs to improve in order to regain respectability again around the world, in your opinion?

CMP: I just think that they need to take the politics out of boxing, and let the best fight the best.

RG: For boxing fans that are looking for the 'next big thing' in a sport that has struggled over the past few years - how would you promote your brand to convince them that you are the one to watch for the 'now' and for the future of boxing?

CMP: I want to be great both inside and outside the ring. I believe that how you conduct yourself outside the ring is what fans will connect with. I have lived a lot, seen a lot and having experienced what I have has helped me reach an awareness in the public by sharing my stories in such a way that others can find some comradery with me. I'm in the 'hurt' business and that's what I do every time I step in the ring. It's all about the victory in both my profession and my life. People are rooting for me and that's what motivates me to be all I can be. My brand is 'It's Doable' - all things are possible and I am living the dream. If I can do it, anyone can if they set their mind to whatever it is they want to do and achieve in life.

RG: You've sparred with some of the greats to ever do it in the square circle, such as Oscar De La Hoya and 'Sugar' Shane Mosley, just to name a few. How important were those experiences for you in your development early on?

CMP: First of all, I'd like to say it was a privledge to even be invited to spar with guys that have championship pedigree. Sparring with them showed me that I had what it takes to hang with the best, I had the talent and heart that it takes to be on their level and I had the talent it takes to one day be a champion. Looking across the ring and Shane Mosley or Oscar De La Hoya is looking back at you - it's a surreal thing - almost like 'Should I be here?'....It's amazing, and both of those guys said very encouraging things to me and said that one day I'd be a champ....What do you say to that?....I was both speechless and humbled.

RG: Do you worry at all about the risk of serious injury in this brutal sport? Do your children and loved ones worry about the physical danger that's involved in boxing?

CMP: I don't worry about it, and I don't say that to be flippant. I mean, if I worry - that takes the focus off the job at hand and off my opponent who's coming to beat me. Does it cross my mind? - Yes, but I train hard to not get hit or badly injured. I'm a WARRIOR, not a WORRIER!

RG: What's the best advice you can give to an athletically-talented young man/woman who has high aspirations to not only become a professional boxer in the future, but also become a successful citizen in the game of life?

CMP: I would tell any young male or female athlete to do everything it takes to be the best. Stay focused and healthy...Train hard...Dedicate yourself to your craft, and the rest will follow. Don't get sidetracked with distractions...Understand the measure of sacrifice it takes to get to the top....Don't let anyone or anything hold you back, and in life, treat people with respect and kindness. Take a few minutes to talk to a fan or sign your autograph on their picture because you never know what that gesture can mean to someone....Give your time to others and they will give theirs to you!

RG: What advice do you give to your two young children now that will benefit them in being the greatest adults they can be in the future?

CMP: I tell my children every day to be a leader, not a follower. Don't surrender to peer pressure, and always be kind to people. Education is a big thing to me....I want my children to go to college and get degrees. I want them to have fruitful lives, and I will always be in their corner, God willing. My children are great, smart and funny....They already have the foundations to build a bright future for themselves.

RG: Are you involved with any charities at this present time?

CMP: Right now, I am looking for a charity that will best suit my message. It will more than likely be something in the foster care system. I also want to do some type of fitness program and get kids and families involved in working out, eating right, etc. I want to also go back to my former high school and lend my name and support to them in anyway I can.

RG: In five-to-ten years from now, with God's will, Cleotis 'Mookie' Pendarvis will be -

CMP: The champion of the world in and out of the ring.....Living la vida loca (Laughs).....Healthy and being able to take care of my family the way they deserve to be! I'd like to thank my team: Warren Wilkerson, Pitbull Energy drink, Pitbull Boxing and my publicist Rachel Charles of Pitch INK Media! (Twitter.com @PitchINK)

www.pitbullboxing.com
Facebook.com/Cleotis 'Mookie' Pendarvis fan page
Twitter.com @MookieTheBoxer

LockerRoom Q&A: WNBA Legend TAJ MCWILLIAMS-FRANKLIN

RG: Give me your thoughts on the growth of the WNBA since its debut in 1997.

Taj: The growth is amazing! I'm always asked about current Connecticut Sun All-Star Tina Charles and how well she plays. I remember being 21 years of age, coming straight out of college and having nowhere near that skillset and the knowledge of the game. The players now are bigger, stronger and better. Also, the teachers of the game are much better now than they were back then. Not saying that the coaches weren't, but we only had the mens players to look up to. Now, they see the women's game that they can model and say 'I want to take that move from HER,' or 'I want to do this move that SHE used to do.' So as the generations change and the WNBA grows, I just see more incredible talent coming straight out of college and into the league that's exploding it like current Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Candace Parker and the aforementioned Tina Charles. It's just great for the league, and I hope it continues because I have daughters that play and they want to play in the WNBA one day. For me, just knowing that I had a hand in something that I want the WNBA to become - a global institution just like our male counterparts of the NBA. Even though it looks great now, we still have a long way to go, but we're moving along at a great pace, 15 years in!

*Taj was a member of the 2K11 WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx and re-signed with the organization for the 2K12 campaign.

http://www.wnba.com/

LockerRoom Q&A: L.A. Lakers forward MATT BARNES

The Date: Tuesday 9/13/2K11 (*During NBA Lockout)
The Locale: FRAMES Bowling Lounge, New York City
The Event: Launch for upcoming independent film 'The Fashion Police'

RG: How are you maintaining yourself physically during the NBA lockout?

MB: My training has been a little different because I tore my knee up last season in 2K10-11. I took a break after the season and right now I'm at a good pace rebuilding my strength, getting my cardio back and also my on-the-court stuff back. I just started back on the basketball court, and honestly, the lockout has been a blessing for me because I needed alittle extra time to get my knee healthy. I'm about 90% right now, and I'm sure in about a month from now (October 2K11), I'll be 100%. I've just been slowly climbing up the hill, so to speak, so I should be ready to go by November 2K11.

RG: What outside ventures do you have going on outside of basketball?

MB: I currently have a foundation called 'Athletes Vs. Cancer,' and I also have a clothing line called 'LOVE THE TRUTH.'

www.athletesvscancer.com
www.twitter.com/matt_barnes22

LockerRoom Q&A: Former NFL running back EDDIE GEORGE (Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans)

The Date: Monday, 12/5/2K11
The Locale: SAMSUNG Experience Store, Time Warner Center, New York City
The Event: The celebration of Eddie George's induction into the College Football Hall of Fame (Ohio State University)

RG: Share with me your thoughts on your college foootball Hall-of-Fame induction.

EG: It's a 'coux de gras.' I've had a pretty good NFL career, a Heisman Trophy-type career in college, and now going into the college football Hall of Fame, kind of just puts a cap on it all, ties a bow around and delivers it nicely! It's amazing, especially on the college level. I had no idea what I was walking into as far as the Hall of Fame events. It's a tremendous network. It's been well over a century of college football, and with the amount of players that have competed in the game, not too many have a chance to say that they're Hall of Famers in college. It's a testament to my Ohio State Buckeyes teammates and coaches, the support from my family, and most importantally, from the Ohio State University president and Athletic Director at the time I played there. They all had their hands in my success, so I can't take all of the credit.

RG: In an ironic twist of fate, Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr was also inducted into the college football Hall-of-Fame this year. Give me your thoughts on that, being that Ohio State and Michigan are old, bitter rivals.

EG: It's appropo, right? (Laughs) The same man that gave me thorns on my side, and ruined possible national championships for me is going in alongside myself. I have the utmost respect for coach Carr. I think it's an excellent Hall of Fame class with him, myself, offensive lineman Will Shields, Deion Sanders, just to name a few. It's an honor to be inducted with those men.

RG: Your thoughts on Urban Meyer taking over as the Ohio State Buckeyes head coach in 2012.

EG: I think he's the right guy - the right fit. First of all, he has the passion. To coach at Ohio State was a long-life dream for him, and now it's come to fruition. He's from the state of Ohio, which is important, and he has the experience. To be the Ohio State University football head coach, you have to possess the skill set of a CEO. It's not just running an offense and defense, but it's managing the entire team as an organization, from the medical staff, to the recruiting, to the fundraising on down. He has a great resume' in doing all of that, especially with what he accomplished at the University of Florida, where he won two national championships with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow. The pressure's on for Meyer to do great things immediately out the gate, but I think it's something that he embraces.

http://www.eddiegeorge.com/

LockerRoom Q&A with Basketball Hall-of-Famer NANCY LIEBERMAN

The Date: Saturday, July 30, 2K11
The Locale: The Prudential Center, Newark, NJ before tipoff of WNBA New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury matchup.

RG: 15 years in, how proud are you of the success of the WNBA to this point?
NL: It's gone beyond where I thought it would be, especially with the level of talented players that the league has had in the past and that are now currently playing. We knew that there was going to be talent, but one of the most important things about the history of anything is respecting who came before you, and also respecting the totality of the 15 years, not just the fact that we've had great players for a 6, 7, 8, 9-year stretch. The Becky Hammons, Ruth Rileys, Tamika Catchings, Sue Birds, Maya Moores; they respect the history of the game, and I think that's really important. The veterans want to be remembered because they have 'skin' in the game....I have skin in the game and so does Ann Meyers-Drysdale, Lynette Woodard, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper and all of the women who've played pro basketball before the WNBA came into existence in 1997. We just want to be remembered for our contributions, and todays player does, and I dig todays player. They are beautiful, talented, saavy, and they are great gatekeepers of the game. Our game is in really good hands.

RG: Your thoughts of  Teresa Edwards' induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
NL: I am so proud of that young woman. She did so much, not only collegiately, but for international basketball as well. It's the culmination of the game saying 'THANK YOU' to her.

RG: Your head coaching stint with the Texas Legends in the National Basketball Developmental League....How was that experience for you?
NL: It was unbelievable. I was given the opportunity by the team's owner Donnie Nelson and I am so thankful for that. We had a lot of work to do. There's no thumbprint for making history; You're creating it for others to follow. We were successful as a team in making the playoffs, and I had one of my players Antonio Daniels called up by the Philadelphia 76ers to fill a vacant roster spot for their playoff run. The NBDL is a league of opportunity, and giving people a chance to reach their NBA dreams. My guys were amazing all season for me and I'm so thankful for the Texas Legends in giving me that opportunity.

RG: I see the National Basketball Developmental League as a nice platform for talented players who are not able to initially crack a roster spot on an NBA team.
NL: It's big. We're splitting hairs for guys going up or down. There were over 22 call-ups a year ago during the 2K10 season, and it's unbelievable the level of talent in that league. I'm very proud of the guys!

*Also during the interview, Nancy mentioned that she is a BIG New York Yankees fan and is a good friend of current team manager Joe Girardi. She became a Yankee fan by following the legendary Hall-of -Famer Mickey Mantle, and when she was 10 years old, she had a pet dog named after beloved Yankee player Bobby Murcer.

*Lieberman is now the Assistant General Manager for the Texas Legends after coaching the team into the Playoffs during the 2K10-2K11 season. For all things happening with Nancy, log on to her website, http://www.nancylieberman.com/