By Lee Collier
August saw the return to the ring of the highly popular Michael Brodie of Manchester. Brodie had retired after losing in his attempt to win Scott Harrison’s world title back in 2005, after also coming close against In Jin-Chi in world title attempts.
A long rest from the sport saw Brodie announce his comeback under Hatton Promotions with the intention that he wanted to reclaim his former glory days. Would four years away, and his age of 35, prove too big a stumbling block.
Brodie’s first fight was on the 21st August and in true Brodie style he put on a show for his fans. His opponent was Londoner Mark Alexander who had trained under Emmanuel Steward for the fight. Alexander had Brodie down in the first, cut in the second, and down again in the third. At this point the crowd must have thought Brodie was heading towards retirement again.
In the fourth round, Brodie managed to land a right cross followed by a left that sent Alexander to the ropes. A few more punches and Alexander was down but managed to beat the count. Alexander’s legs had clearly gone and Brodie, sensing the finish, had Alexander trapped on the ropes leaving the referee to stop the contest. Michael Brodie had announced his comeback in the only way he knew how to, in style.
Brodie is to fight again on the 27th November at the Robin Park Arena, Wigan in a fight that has the Manchester fight community talking. Brodie, 36-3-1 (24 KO’s), is to face the former ABA champion Anthony Crolla, 14-2 (5 early), in a battle between two fighters promoted by Hatton Promotions.
Boxingscene.com caught the end of a Brodie training session then sat down to talk to the boxer about his comeback fight and his preparation for Anthony Crolla.
“I’d had over four years out, and had gone from 14½ stone in under a year,” revealed Brodie when discussing the Alexander contest. “My fans got behind me and they know I love a fight so I came out a bit excited. After three rounds he couldn’t stay with the pace, he was okay when he was dishing it out, but when I threw my bombs he couldn’t take it. The game plan on the night worked.”
Brodie had seemed in massive trouble during the first and third rounds in the Alexander fight. Brodie insisted that was not the case. “At no time in the fight was I in trouble,” he continued.
“You’ve got to understand; I’ve been there at the top and have had the hard fights. That fight brought back memories of the In Jin-Chi and Neil Swain fights, and that I’d been there before and could do it again. When I was down I thought ‘just use your brain’, I got my head straight and like I said he couldn’t handle my bombs.”
There was talk that last time out Brodie didn’t take the training seriously. When questioned on his training this time he seemed pleased with the progress. “Training has gone better this time, I’ve trained for eight hard rounds but there’s no doubt that Brodie will win the fight.”
At the age of 35, Brodie can’t hang around or take any easy fights. Is a fight against Anthony Crolla what Brodie needs at this stage of his career? “I’m in the British ratings already, and if I beat Crolla I’m right up there, he’s a young top kid but I won’t finish until I get my glory back and that’s when I’m right back at the top,” roared Brodie.
When Brodie retired in 2005, he was going through a divorce, now he seems settled with a new girlfriend and happier with life. “I have a clear head now. I have a good girlfriend who is backing me and when I’m happy it’s good for boxing. I enjoyed the wars and that’s what I’m looking for again, that’s the kind of hunger I still have.”
During the build up we have seen Crolla’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, state that if Brodie doesn’t make the agreed 9st 5lb weight limit, then Crolla will find a new opponent. “Weight is not an issue,” confirmed Brodie.
“I was 9st 6lb for my last fight, what’s a pound going to do - I’ll make 9st 5lb no problems. I know what it is with Joe Gallagher, he is scared for his fighter as he knows Michael Brodie is back.”
Brodie’s final thoughts were focused on his opponent, Anthony Crolla. “Anthony is a good kid, I’m pals with him but I’m here to do my business. I’m not going to fail,” promised Brodie.
