Ask Kid Galahad who he thinks is the world’s No 1 featherweight, he give a very straightforward answer. Himself.
Eight months on from his unsuccessful challenge for Josh Warrington’s IBF title, the feeling that he got a raw decision from the judges that night has not gone away, although he is trying to channel any frustration into something more positive.
With his awkward style and lack of a big fanbase, he knows he will be bottom of Warrington or any other champion’s list of targets, so the lack of an obvious shortcut means the 29-year-old Yorkshireman has to try to push his way into a mandatory positions.
So he faces Claudio Marrero, of the Dominican Republic, in Sheffield on Saturday. Marrero is ranked No 4 by the WBC, one place below Galahad. Gary Russell defends that title against Tugstsogt Nyambayar, who beat Marrero 13 months ago, later on Saturday and it is not hard to see that the winner in Sheffield could be the next mandatory.
“I have to fight guys others won’t,” Galahad said. “That’s just how it is. In life no one is entitled to anything and no one deserves anything. It is what it is, whatever you make out of life you get. I believe I will get where I am going.
“What’s the point of being bitter? It’s like if your missus cheats on you, you split up with her and ten years later you are still bitter. What are you going to get out of of that? You might as well let it go. There is no point dwelling in the past, there is a future. Life goes on and you have to fully focus on what happens the day after.
“I’ve fully focused on fighting this kid. He is one hell of a fighter. He’s dangerous, he can punch he can box. I can’t afford to make any mistakes. It could be a very tough night.”
Not that Galahad doubts he deserved to beat Warrington, even if the judges made the champion a split decision winner.
“I thought I neutralised him, he could never get going and I landed the cleaner shots,” Galahad said. “I controlled the pace, he was trying to do certain things but couldn’t do it.
“He had a good last couple of rounds, but did he win more than six rounds? I believe I did. I was controlling the fight, not him. Every fighter knows if he has won or lost a fight and he knows he lost that fight in the back of his mind.
“I don’t feel like I lost that fight. People expected him to walk through me. People thought he was two levels above me, but I showed him I was a level above him. I don’t think he knew what to expect.”
When people rate the best featherweights in the world right now, Galahad has no doubt about where his place in the pecking order should be.
“The featherweight division is one of the best out there,” he said. “They are all dangerous. I believe I am the No 1 featherweight
“No 2 is a battle between Shakur Stevenson and Warrington. If a fight between them happens, I believe it will be a 50/50. You can never write off someone like Warrington, he brings a lot to the table and is better than people think. Is it too early for Stevenson? He’s a hell of a boxer but we don’t know if he is really seasoned enough for someone like Warrington.
“I don’t look at anyone and think I want them more than anyone else. Whatever fight comes up, I will take. I’m the best featherweight because I can adjust. I’m not exceptional at anything, but I am good at everything.”