Paul Edwards, Kevin Satchell Discuss Upcoming Fight

By John Evans

The English flyweight title, a shot at the British belt and local bragging rights will all be at stake when city rivals Paul Edwards and Kevin Satchell meet on 19th May at Aintree Equestrian Centre. BoxingScene.com caught up with the pair ahead of the battle and found both fighters in determined mood.

Former British flyweight champion Edwards, 9-1 (3), will be facing his first real test since losing his belt to Chris Edwards almost a year ago. Although he returned to action with a two round victory in March, he couldn’t be happier at finally having a challenge to get his teeth into.

“Yeah, it’s been 10-months [since the Chris Edwards fight]. I’m just itching to go now. Itching to get back in there,” said the 25-year-old during our recent conversation. “It’s a massive bill with six title fights and my fight’s an English title fight and a British title eliminator. I’ve been in training for a few weeks now. I’m made up at having a bit of good news and it’s going to be a bit of a local derby. I’m training with Franny Smith now. I trained with him throughout my amateur career, but trained with George and Danny [Vaughan] when I turned pro. George’s wife wasn’t well so they had to retire. It’s a bit sad but I couldn’t have asked for anything better than to have Franny there.”

Whilst Edwards has been inactive, Satchell has moved quickly. Since turning professional in October 2010, ‘Satch’ has built a 7-0 (0) record. He too is relishing the chance to test his skills. “Training’s going really well, I boxed recently and I’ve been ticking over in the gym since so I’ve had a great platform. Now the serious training’s underway” said the unbeaten Scouser.

“It’s very exciting to be on a big bill in my home city boxing another former British champion. It’s great for me and for the Liverpool fight fans that’ve really got behind me in my career. I thrive on these challenges. This is what motivates me and this is why I’m in the game. So many fighters sidestep each other but I’m not like that, I want to give the fans the fights they deserve.”

He added: “I’ve been busy learning the game and improving and feel that my progress since turning pro has been great. To me, it doesn’t matter what your profession is, Surgeon, bricklayer, dentist or whatever – It definitely pays to be active.”

Satchell may have been more active, but his opponents have been of a lower calibre than Edwards’ latest foes. A solid victory over shop-worn former British bantamweight champion Martin Power last time out hinted at a promising future for Satchell, but Edwards is aiming to ensure that Satchell’s first step into championship class is one that he will be unable to handle. The move to a new trainer seems to have put an extra spring in his step and he is determined to be better than ever when the pair meet.

“Franny’s getting me back to using my feet and speed. Getting in and out and more workrate,” said Edwards. “I’ve got a good work rate as it is but he wants me throwing faster and more powerful shots. He knows I’ve got power, it’s just implementing it.”

“I’ve sparred a lot with him [Satchell]” he continued. “The last time we sparred I wasn’t really fit and I think he’s got a bit on confidence from it. It’s good for me if he’s got that confidence. I’ll knock that out of him in the first round. I boxed him three or four times in the amateurs and beat him every time. I don’t mind him but I’m fighting him now and he’s trying to take everything away from me isn’t he? I’ve got to treat him as an enemy now until after we fight.”

The Liverpool fight scene is a close-knit community and it isn’t unusual for fighters to have shared the ring numerous times in sparring and amateur bouts. Generally, unless there are exceptional circumstances, boxers get along well. Business is business though and in a close contest the fighter who carries any friendship into a bout is likely to be the one who comes up short. That is unlikely to be the case here. Satchell seems every bit as determined as Edwards.

“Yeah we’ve sparred lots of rounds together and its top sparring but sparring is a practice ground and I’m sure we'll both be bringing new stuff to this fight” insisted the 23-year-old. “There’s rivalry with any fighter, but we’ve also helped each other out a lot in preparing for fights and always got on well so I’d call it a friendly rivalry. I remember him giving up his Christmas to spar with me for an upcoming fight and I’ve always tried to extend the same help to him. I have a lot of respect for Paul, but come fight night we'll both be at our best and trying to outdo each other.”
 
As stated earlier, Edwards has campaigned at a higher level than Satchell. “Eddy” took the British belt from the teak tough Shinny Bayaar and his fight with the remarkable Chris Edwards was a twelve-round war. He is positive that his experience of having completed the full championship course will hold him in good stead.

“I’ve heard he’s been saying experience is nothing but I know for a fact it is” says Edwards. “I jumped from six rounders to twelve myself and I know I’m gonna have the experience on him.”

Satchell disputes that fact. Although Edwards has the better names on his record, the bout with Bayaar ended after a first round clash of heads and the fight with Edwards was his first to go beyond six. Satchell feels he is more than ready for the test that awaits him.

“I do,” he said. “Paul’s only boxed over six rounds once so the experience deficit isn’t so large as it might be in other weight divisions. I stepped up in class last time out against Martin Power and I believe very much in keeping that development going so I couldn’t be happier. There’s no mileage in beating the same old journeymen month in month out, there has to be progression and there has to be direction. I feel the timing is absolutely perfect.”

As always, it is nigh on impossible to get a fighter to divulge any particular aspects of his opponent’s game that he can take advantage of, but in this case it is a pretty straightforward task to work out exactly what type of fight the pair will produce. Satchell and Edwards both seem intent on raising their punch output and work rate to a level their opponent cannot match. If both hold true to their word, it could prove to be quite a spectacle.

“He’s got a good workrate but I just think I’m better than him in every department,” stated Edwards confidently. “I just wanna prove it on the night. I know for a fact that a 100% Paul Edwards will beat a 100% Kevin Satchell. I know that and he knows that. I’ve just got to perform on the night. This is a great fight for me. I’m made up it’s been made. It’s a massive fight really. Everyone’s been onto me. I’m fully focused, determined and hungrier than ever. I think he’s in for a hard nights work.”

Satchell is confident that he can take advantage of a couple of habits Edwards has, but prefers not to agonise about what his rival is doing, opting instead to concentrate on being the best he can be.

He said: “We think we’ve seen some things which is why we were so happy for this opportunity but I also think it’s important not to over analyse opponents. I want to focus on my own development, tactics and fight plans. I’m no slouch in the work rate department either, but I prefer to let my opponents do the worrying. I'll be in the shape of my life and matching my work rate won’t be easy.”

By @John_Evans1979