By Lee Collier
Scott Quigg, 15-0 (9 early) has been trained by some of the sport’s top names. He has learned his trade in the world famous Collyhurst gym under Brian Hughes tutelage. And if that isn’t enough for a young fighter, Quigg also financed a trip to the wild Card gym in America to expand his boxing education.
Quigg, who only had around a dozen amateur fights, will need to use all this experience he has gained in his so far short career, to overcome a Yuri Voronin, 27-9-2 (18 early) who is a former European title challenger.
For Quigg it is a massive step up and also his first 8 round fight. The 21 year old from Bury has worked his way into the top 10 in the European rankings without fighting a boxer with a winning record. So to fight someone of Voronin’s class in his first test is a big challenge that will prove just how good Quigg could be.
“I am looking forward to it,” enthused Quigg. “It’s a step up from what I have been fighting and Brian [Hughes] thinks I am ready. I also believe I am ready so hopefully it is onto the next step for me.”
Quigg is under no illusions as to how big of a test this is, and will show the boxing world whether he is the real deal or not, having been highly praised by Ricky Hatton and Brian Hughes.
“It’s a big test and this fight will show whether I can go anywhere in boxing or whether I will just be another prospect who falls by the wayside.”
Quigg clearly places a lot of trust in Hughes. “It gives massive confidence boost, you have to trust your trainer more than anybody else because he is the one who is going to put you in the ring with a fighter and he’s the one in the corner telling you what to do. So if Brian is putting me in with Voronin then he thinks I can win. It’s down to me on the night to prove that Brian is right.”
Voronin, whilst having his best days behind him had taken Nicky Cook and Bernard Dunne the distance in the past four years.
“I have seen the Nicky Cook fight, Voronin gave Cook a hard fight and I am looking forward to it and to be honest this will bring the best out of me.”
Quigg then continued, “Voronin is quite a big puncher and is strong, but if I box how I know I can then I could win comfortably. As long as I stick to what I’ve been doing in training and what we’ve practiced and I stick to the gameplan then it should be a comfortable win on points, you never know it may even be a late stoppage.”
Quigg will be competing over eight rounds for the first time in his career and he has made sure he is ready to go the distance if needed.
“Voronin is tough so I am ready to go the full eight rounds if necessary. I am a fit lad, and I train hard, so I am not worried about having to fight for eight rounds at all.”
Voronin, at 36 may well be feeling his age now having had some hard fights in a long career. Would this major factor be an advantage to Quigg?
“Age is a bit of a nod for me because he is getting on but fell that speed will be the key. For the first four rounds he’ll be quick and stay out of my way. After the early stages he will start to tire and then I can put more pressure on and win the fight.”
Quigg has quietly slipped into the top 10 in Europe and there are some that feel he is almost ready for a crack at the British title. Quigg on the other hand prefers to leave that to his team.
“I just take one fight at a time, I am not even thinking about title fights at the minute. I need to concentrate on the Voronin fight, because if I lose, there will be no title fights in the near future.”
Quigg then went on to say, “The main decision is with Brian, if he feels I am ready for a title fight then I’m ready. If Brian feels I need a couple more fights then that’s what I’ll do, Brian’s been in the game a long time and he knows when the right time is.”
Quigg is that committed to succeeding in boxing he funded a trip to the wild Card gym in America earlier in the year. Quigg noticed the differences to the training he receives back home and hope’s the experience has left him ready for challenges like the one he faces on Friday night.
“In the Wild Card Gym the main difference is the sparring. On Monday, Wednesday and Fridays fighters come from all over America and from different countries to spar. You are sparring with top quality guys and it’s not really like sparring, it’s more like competing in a fight.
“There are more trainers in the gym, you get more time one on one with them. When I was there I got 2 hours with Jesse Reid every day, he wasn’t bothered about anyone else, he was just focused on me so you are always learning. They pick you up on everything and gradually you start to put everything right.”
Former European champion Pat Barrett, who is confident that Scott will not fail on his big test on Friday night, put Scott through a light training session.
“Scott is ready to step up in level. We feel he is finally ready, he has won all 15 fights but this will be a tough contest.” Barrett then revealed, “Scott never had many amateur fights, everything he has picked up is from getting in the ring here, or from going over to America. All of this has given Scott the experience to win on Friday. Scott has picked up so much, he is a quick learner and I have no doubt he will beat Voronin.”
Quigg fights on the undercard of Anthony Small versus Thomas McDonagh. Sky Sports 1 and HD1 televise from 10pm here in the UK.
