FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Head Coach Joe Frager has always been know as a basketball coach who instructs his team based on play making science. But he shares another passion besides basketball: and that comes in the form of boxing. Frager grew up with a love of the 'Sweet Science' and talks about his passion in an interview with John Cirillo.

Q: ‎How and when did you become a boxing fan?

A: “My Dad, Joe Frager, always talked about the great fighters of the 40's and 50's. He spoke of Willie Pep, Sandy Saddler, Robinson, Basilio, Joe Louis, LaMotta, Al Gainer, among others. I became hooked with the TV fights of the 70's and 80's, especially the junior lightweight and lightweight brawls.”

Q: Did you ever put on the gloves in a gym or elsewhere?

A‎: “I had the gloves on, mainly to hit a heavy bag and bag gloves for the speed bag. As a pitcher in high school and college, potentially damaging a hand was not a smart option.”

Q: Do you ever use boxing techniques in motivating or training your players?

A: “We actually use the terminology of a 'boxer's stance' defensively. I use boxing references and analogies quite a bit.”

Q: Favorite all time boxer, why?

A: “My all-time favorite boxer would be Sean O'Grady. 'The Green Machine,' 'The Bubblegum Bomber.' former WBA Lightweight Champ. Was involved in some great fights with Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Gonzallo Montellano, Jim Watt, Shig Fukuyama and Hilmer Kenty. Great boxing commentator also.”

Q: Best all time boxer, why?

A: “Best of all time – “Sugar Ray” Robinson. He could box, he could punch, took a great shot, could do it all. He fought the best for a very long time.”

Q: Favorite current boxer, why?

A: “My favorite current boxer is “Triple G” Gennady Golovkin. He's all business in the ring. Great puncher, vastly under-appreciated boxing skills. Fan of Canelo Alvarez and Demetrius Andrade too.”

Q: The best active boxer?

A: Gennady Golovkin or Chocolatito Gonzalez

Q: What fight would you most like to see in 2016?

A: Golovkin v. Canelo or Kell Brook v. Amir Khan

Q: If you could have dinner with one boxer in history, who would it be any why?

A: “I'd pick the late Jerry Quarry to have dinner with. One of the best to never win the championship. He fought all the great heavyweights of the 60's and 70's- Patterson, Ali, Frazier, Norton, Shavers, Lyle, Ellis, Mac Foster and others. Archie Moore would be great to have dinner with too. The “Ol Mongoose” was forced to wait a long time for a shot at the title.”

Q: What would be the ultimate fight for a fantasy championship?

A: “The ultimate fantasy fight- the welterweight version of “Sugar Ray” Robinson v. Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather wins the first 3-4 rounds, but Robinson wears him down for a 10th round TKO!”