Thanks to Sharell Toon, part 2 of her interview of what really makes Pete Spratt tick is now posted.ÿ Check it out to learn more about Spratt’s life, and not just as a fighter, by clicking on READ MORE.
The Real Pete Spratt Interview: Part II
(to see Part I, click here.)Sharell – Your female fans would like to know if you are single or do you have a special woman in your life, (besides your grandmother that is.)
Pete – Interesting question! Guess they will have to figure that out themselves (smiling!)
Sharell – How do you spend your time when you are not training or fighting? What do you do for fun?
Pete – My fun is traveling to the smaller shows to help support the sport. Some of the regular events I attend are Saul Solizs Renegades promotion in Houston, Jeff Lindseys Oklahoma City promotion Reality Fighting and Mickey Burnetts Rock and Rumble in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Anytime I can go I am happy. I get to hangout with fans and watch good fights. I also love to get on the Internet and interact with “LOYAL” fans as well as the hating ass fair-weather fans. I also spend some of my time at the movies, in front of the T.V., or on the computer. I like to watch my soap, Days of Our Lives. I have been watching Days since 1992! I am an avid movie watcher. I love watching films. I also like to collect wristwatches and sneakers. I like getting skin art and you can catch me at the mall quite a bit. I love listening to music in my car, I have a pretty nice $8,000 system that my car audio sponsor hooked me up with. Check them out at www.cuttingedgeaudio.com, some awesome shit!!!
Sharell – Who has had the biggest influence in your life?
Pete – My Grandmother! She is the strongest person I know. She has my back no matter what. Shes my mom, my grandma, my dad, my friend, shes everything to me. She can be real gansta if you piss her off too! I remember one time about 7 or 8 years ago my cousin owed her some money (she was about 70 years old at the time.) He told her that he would pay her when he got ready and smarted off. She was like, “Ok!” and she walked off. He got in his car to start it up and she walked back up on the passenger side with a can of gasoline in one hand and a brown paper grocery bag on fire in the other. She told him that he was going to pay her and commenced to pour the gas in the passenger seat and then threw the lit paper bag in the car. I was like, whoa! I was tripping because my grandma went straight mafia on this fool! Shes sweet but dont piss her off.
Unfortunately, my grandma has suffered some health problems. This will tell you a little about what type of woman she is. She went 3 days with chest pain and didnt tell anyone. Finally on the morning of August 18th she had to call 911 because she couldnt take it anymore. I was called at 6 am and alerted that she was admitted to the hospital. I shot my ass right up there to see her. She had a clogged artery and they had to go in and clean it out. She is recovering in ICU right now and is doing well. She was lying in the hospital bed telling me about how she had been having pain and then she told me something I will never forget. She said while she was having pain she told GOD, “Death isnt that bad its just the pain!!!” Now you tell me who the true warrior is!!!!
Sharell – You mentioned you had a clothing line. Are we talking about fight apparel or clothing for the every day Joe?
Pete – My clothing line is going to be for everyone. I will have a women and mens line. Everything from t-shirts, to jeans, to skirts and athletic and fight apparel as well. I am doing the clothing line in conjunction with my music career.
Sharell – How soon can the public look for your solo release?
Pete – It probably wont be releasing anything until around Christmas time, so get ready to buy my CD for a stocking stuffer. I know Mr. J Sweet will be released in about 2 months and I will be released after that. You can catch me featured in his CD as well!
Sharell – Which do you enjoy more, fighting or rapping?
Pete – I dont know. I love doing both. its nothing for me to really make a decision on, ya know? They are 2 totally different ventures and I want to be successful at both.
Sharell – What do you plan to do when your body is tired and you no longer feel you are able to compete?
Pete – I plan on training and managing fighters as well having a successful gym and clothing company. Hopefully, my rap career will take off and I can do other things in the entertainment industry such as acting. I have been to acting workshops and everything. I also appeared in Walker Texas Ranger as an extra a few years ago. A few years back I participated in a modeling and talent expo. Out of 251 contestants I won the best T.V. Commercial presentation. I did a hockey commercial for fox. I also took home the award for best male model for commercial print.
Sharell – Do you have any plans to promote your own NHB or Muay Thai shows?
Pete – I plan on promoting one day in conjunction with Saul Soliz. We have discussed this a few times and we just havent had the opportunity to get it together. I would like to put on some good shows in the Dallas area. But they will have to change the rules for MMA in Texas before I even consider that.
Sharell – What can other fighters as well as the fans do to help further this sport?
Pete – Continue to support the shows whenever possible. Educate the average Joe. Bring their co-workers home and watch a UFC. If there is a local show, dragged their butts to the show and let them see what we love to do and what they love to watch!
Sharell – What made you want to start fighting?
Pete – After playing college football and being looked at and passed on by the Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles I need something to appease my appetite for contact. Fighting seemed to be the appropriate choice.
Sharell – You used to be a kickboxer right?
Pete – I am still a Muay Thai kickboxer, I just cant get any fights. Some people like Cung Le dont want fight someone that will be a threat to their title. I would love to fight more standup but as it stands I would have to drop to 155lbs or move up to 200lbs to fight in K-1. Neither is a smart choice for me at this point. Maybe in a year or two I will move up to 200lbs and fight K-1.
Sharell – If you were to have a rapping contest with Din Thomas, who would win?
Pete – im not interested in having a rap battle with anyone but I did write a song about Jeremy Jackson. He called me out and subtly talked shit when I was at least 3 fights down the road. Then he got his ass kicked by Nick Diaz. I will release it after my fight with Georges St. Pierre to settle the score. (Interview was done before the fight was canceled.)
Sharell – How did you come up with “Secret Weapon?”
Pete – I was always a no name on shows when I was starting out. My fight would usually end up as the fight of the night and people would say that I was the Secret Weapon of the show.
Sharell – Whats the best and/or worst thing that a fan has done to you?
Pete – The best is always a fan showing appreciation for what I do. I cant say that a fan has done anything bad to me yet. Shit, I forget about that dumbass that got my AOL name and was harassing me and talking shit to me about money that Dan Rose still owes me for sponsorship. That guy never paid me after repeatedly telling me my check was in the mail.
Sharell – You teach at a gym, tell me a little about that.
Pete – I teach and do personal training at a gym called Ironworks in Sherman. I teach Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. We have a small class but my guys are dedicated. My team had gone 11-3 in 4 different shows. We have free weights and a cardio room as well. Nice Private atmosphere. Not like typical health clubs we get down and dirty!
Sharell – What will have to happen for you to get a shot at the 170lb title?
Pete – Keep winning!
Sharell – What advice would you give to an amateur fighter wanting to pursue a pro career?
Pete – Just do it! Get a good trainer and gym. People who care about you and seeing you succeed without prejudice. Find some shows like Renegades, Rock N Rumble, Reality Fighting etc, to get their feet wet in and build a resume.
Sharell – Did you leave kickboxing for MMA?
Pete – I havent left anything. When a good opportunity for a Thai fight presents itself I am there. That is my bread and butter. Kickboxing is easy for me; its the MMA that presents a problem but I am improving day by day.
Lastly, I wanna thank Team Secret Weapon my trainer, Saekson Janjira for everything he has done and Team Janjira. My Manager Sven Bean, he says what I wanna say politely but he feels my pains, my stresses and my happiness! Sarah Johnson for all that you do for me. My training partners Jason House-get well brotha, and Joe Garcia. John Hackleman for all his great advice. My marketing manager Larry Roberts, I knew you were good for something bro, lol, my sponsors, Ideal Roofing, TapouT Clothing, Sherdog.com and Cutting Edge Car Audio. Thank you Sharell for allowing me to express myself.
GET WELL SOON GRANDMA, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Sharell Toon is a freelance writer who also contributes to Josh Hedges’ Ufighting.com.ÿ Please direct any questions or comments on this article to her at fwchic@ufighting.com