Rocky Jerkic – “The guys in my division know I’m here”

 
ROCKY Jerkic is a supremely talented athlete.

 
He is a man blessed with a skill set that some fighters only dream of.

 
Jerkic (7-0, 5 KOs) took some time to speak with Aus-Boxing about his friendship and training camp with famed trainer, Jeff Mayweather, his newly formed partnership with Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech, and his iron will to make it to the top of the sport.

 
Rocky Jerkic is known in boxing circles is an epic talent. The 6”1 light middleweight is a talent that, if nurtured, can take him to the very top of the sport.

 
Unfortunately, he also comes with a “too hard” tag having gone through several trainers over the course of his short career. Maybe it is a lack of chemistry with these trainers or Jerkic’s will to want more, who knows?

 
All that is known now is that the 26 year old Queenslander is looking forward, and talks about his newly formed partnership with hall of famer, Jeff Fenech and Newcastle based camp One World with trainers Rob Fogarty and Rich Claut.

 
“I’ve got some new and exciting things happening now and have some great people in my corner,” said Jerkic.

 
“We all had a meeting a week ago, Jeff, Rob, Rich, my wife and I and it was all beneficial to everyone concerned and now we are looking at fighting on November 14th in Newcastle with an opponent to be named very soon.”

 
“It should be a good night with Roy Jones Jr possibly making an appearance on the night. I am genuinely excited by this new opportunity, and to be involved with someone like Jeff Fenech is a dream come true”. Jerkic said.

 
The 26-year-old Queenslander spoke fondly of his relationship with famed trainer and uncle of Floyd, Jeff Mayweather. Jerkic says he formed a friendship with Mayweather over his Facebook account and took the initiative to ask him if he would do a four week fight camp at the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas. Jerkic explains how it all came about.

 
“I just started talking to Jeff over Facebook and I just asked him if I came over for a holiday if he could teach me a few things and do a bit of a training camp together,” Jerkic explained.

 
“We basically trained nearly everyday for a month at the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas and the experience was amazing.”

 
“I learned a lot especially the all important defensive aspects and ring smarts of the sport which the Mayweather’s are renowned for,” he continued.

 
“We talked about me staying over there in the US to continue my career but I am more intent on building here in Australia as I still think I have much to learn before I make that transition.”

 
“You have a hundred or so guys flying around from all parts of the world rocking up to the Mayweather gym trying to show TMT what they have and trying to get their big break.”

 
“It makes it hard.”

 
“He just taught me little things that a lot of trainers can’t teach. Jeff is a great guy and we have maintained a great friendship. My wife and I stayed at his house and we talk at least once a month. Just an awesome guy” Jerkic said.

 
Jerkic is keen on forging his own path in the sport. Often having drawn comparisons to Anthony Mundine in fight style and physical components, the talented Jerkic says he’s his own man and wants to fight in Australia and build his fan base here before going anywhere.

 
“I would much rather take the time here to try and fight the country and the region’s best all the while putting myself and Australia on the boxing map before heading overseas,”

 
“I still have a bit to learn and when the time comes for me to do that, hopefully my following here in my own country is solid enough for me to do everyone proud when I do venture out somewhere else and having everyone here along the ride with me.”

 
“Come November 14th, I am ready to explode”.

 
Jerkic already has a loyal band of fans. He is forever grateful for the support, and has urged his followers to keep following him on his journey to the top. He is especially grateful to his wife, Trang, who Jerkic says has been of an incredible support to him through the trying times in his life and his career.

 
You just get the sense that everything is finally starting to fall into place for Rocky Jerkic. We as boxing fans/followers should hope this is the case, because this guy has what it takes to get to the very top.

 
 
Words: Dan Smart
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz