DEGALE FAVOURITE AHEAD OF EUROPEAN SHOWDOWN
PUNTERS on Betfair are backing James DeGale to successfully defend his European super-middleweight title against Cristian Sanavia in Denmark on Saturday. With just one points defeat on his record, DeGale is a huge odds-on favourite for victory at just 1-8.
Despite coming into the fight off the back of a five match winning run, customers on the betting exchange don’t give Italy’s Sanavia much hope. The 37-year-old has been talking up his chances, but odds of 9-1 suggest he’s full of hot air.
Betfair’s Alex Bake said: “Sanavia is a two time European champ and he briefly held a world title back in 2004, so the class is there. But DeGale is considerably younger and quicker than his opponent and the punters can’t see past him winning.”
DeGale v Sanavia – Betfair bet: 1-8 DeGale, 9-1 Sanavia, 41-1 the dra
DERRY’S REASONS FOR FACING CROLLA
DERRY MATHEWS insists he wouldn’t have agreed to face Anthony Crolla unless Danny Vaughan returned to his corner.
The Liverpool ace (29-6-1) had been trained by Oliver Harrison, but was re-united with former handler Vaughan for Saturday’s challenge against British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla (23-2).
Mathews, 28, set up training camps in Scotland and Spain ahead of his test against Crolla at Oldham Sports Centre.
He said: “I am back with my old trainer, Danny Vaughan and that is the reason I took this fight.
“I got offered it and if Danny had said ‘no’ to training me I wouldn’t have taken the fight.
“I have been away, had great sparring, prepared right and everything is going good.”
Mathews is the underdog when he faces improving Crolla, but promised: “From the first bell to the last it is going to be non-stop action.
“I know how good Anthony is and I am expecting to face a good, strong fit opponent and I haven’t look past him.”
Other Contests: Matty Askin v Jon Lewis Dickinson (10x3 vacant English cruiserweight championship and British title eliminator), Stephen Foster Jr v Jose Antonio Elizabeth (6x3 super-featherweight), Jazza Dickins v Yuri Voronin (6x3 super-bantamweight), Lucas Browne v Paul Butlin (6x3 heavyweight), Adam Little v Chris Jenkinson (6x3 welterweight), Tommy Stubbs v Gavin Reid (4x3 bantamweight), Ryan Doyle v Selected Opponent (4x3 featherweight).
Boxing starts at 6.15pm and tickets are on sale. They are priced at £35 general admission, £55 floor seating, £75 ringside and £100 VIP Ringside. You can buy by calling the Hatton Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com
N DEPTH WITH FREDDIE TURNER
Exciting welterweight Freddie Turner aims to take his record to 6-0 when he features on the big Royal Albert Hall show on Saturday 28th April.
Turner takes on Scunthorpe’s experienced Steve Spence over four rounds on stable-mate Billy Joe Saunders undercard.
Boxing writer Glynn Evans talks to Turner about his career and background.
Born: Romford, Essex
Age: 23
Family background: I live with my mum on a farm over Upminster way (Essex). I’ve two older sisters and two younger brothers. The youngest plays cricket for Essex and is on the national development squad.
Trade: I’m a utilities engineer. I work on gas and water mains.
Nickname: Don’t really have one yet but ‘Freddie’ isn’t my real name. I was Christened Luke but, as a kid, I had really long hair and apparently looked like a character called ‘Fred’ from the TV programme Bread. It just stuck.
What age did you become interested in boxing and why? At primary school, I had a lot of energy and aggression. I was a rough, tough, physical kid and could be very disruptive. An uncle suggested I try the boxing and it was a good move. Boxing really helped me out with my discipline. I’d train so hard I was too tired to be disruptive.
What do you recall of your amateur career? I started at the Alma club in Upminster and, in my first year, I got beat by a kid from Northside (Manchester) in the national schools final. Second season, I joined the Repton club in Bethnal Green (east London) but again got beat by the same kid in the schoolboys final.
That was my only loss in three years at Repton. Darren Barker and Audley Harrison were there at the same time and we went away on some fantastic trips. I had an unbeaten run of about 25 to 30 bouts, coached by Cliff and Bradley Spronge but I was the same weight as Gary Barker (late brother of recent world middleweight challenger Darren) and the club tried to force me to drop a weight so Repton could win two national titles. I weren’t happy so moved to West Ham which caused a bit of friction.
In my first start with West Ham I got stopped by Luke Gray of Stevenage and the Repton mob rubbed it in a bit but I went on to have over 100 amateur bouts. I only lost about 12 and got back (avenged) most who beat me. Trained by Mickey May and Brian O’Shaughnessy, I went on to win two national schools titles, the junior ABAs, the NABCs plus a junior Four Nations gold. I boxed for England three times.
I went in the senior ABAs twice. First time, in 2007 at lightweight, I got beat by Frankie Gavin in the quarter finals. That was a highlight in my career because he’d just won the Commonwealth Games and I was completely written off but gave him a tough fight. Even Frankie admits that.
In 2009, up at light-welter and back at the Repton, I lost in the London semis to Bradley Skeete. Brad won fair and square – he was fit and very awkward - but I’d really bashed him a few weeks before in sparring and was looking past him. I really should’ve won the ABAs that year. I was training with Jimmy Tibbs at the time. He’d slowed me down and made me more pro, stylewise. Jimmy put a lot of work into me. He advised me to take the week off work but I worked right up to, and including, the day of the fight and gave a bad display. Jimmy was fuming and we parted for a while.
Why did you decide to turn pro when you did? I took a bit of time out after Skeete but didn’t want to turn pro after a loss. I won the Ricky Hatton Cup then a gold medal in Cyprus but the buzz of the ABAs had gone and I had a pro style so I turned pro with Tunde Ajayi. I had my first three pro fights with Tunde who was very good at getting you fit before patching things up with Jimmy.
Tell us about your back up team: I’m managed by Dean Powell promoted by Frank Warren Promotions and trained by Jimmy and Mark Tibbs.
Jimmy’s head coach and he’s so experienced. Technically, he’s brilliant and he’s also great with the conditioning. He appreciates I’ve a physical job so knows when to ease off.
Mark’s greatest quality is his attention to detail. He really analyses opponents, develops Plan A, B and C. He really puts the time in.
I also see a body health specialist called Warren Williams on alternate Sundays. He helps me with my diet plus keeping me healthy and injury free but doesn’t upset the Tibbs’s by interfering with the boxing side.
What’s your training schedule? Which parts do you most and least enjoy? I have to schedule things around my work. I’m up at 4.45a.m and generally on site at 6.30 to start work at 7. I go the gym in the evening.
I train three times a week with the Tibbs’s at the TKO gym in Canning Town; Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’ll go for a light jog, do sprints or, if needed, take a night off. I’m always fit, don’t drink or smoke and my job’s very manual so I only need two or three weeks to get sharp for a fight.
I’ll usually have a brief chat with Jimmy and Mark about the (pending) session, then, if I’m not sparring, I’ll start with six rounds intense shadow boxing, followed by three or four on the pads, a couple more shadow, a 10minute skip, groundwork, then finish with a good stretch and a shakedown. If I spar it’s usually with either Colin Lynes or Lee Byrne.
Sparring or pads are what I enjoy most. Sparring allows me to fully utilise my talent, show how skilled I am, make the Tibbs’s proud of me. On the pads, Jimmy really sucks the life out of ya. If you can manage four rounds on the pads with him, you’ll manage 12 in the ring, no problem.
The worst aspect is training without a date for your fight. I never cut corners or cheat but, without a specific goal, it can be frustrating.
Describe your style? What are your best qualities? I like to think I’m a slick, slippery southpaw that doesn’t get hit a lot. I’m a good counterpuncher with a naturally good grasp of distance. If drawn in, I can have a fight and be exciting but I prefer to go ‘in and out’, frustrate ‘em mentally.
What specifically do you need to work on to fully optimise your potential as a fighter? If I feel I’m winning comfortably, I’m prone to slowing the pace and coasting which isn’t good to watch. I probably need to work at becoming more busy.
What have you found to be the biggest difference between the pro and amateur codes? There’s a lot more roughness in the pros; heads coming together, elbows going in. Also the pace is a lot slower which suits a counterpuncher like me. The whole pro scene has a lot more glitz and excitement to it.
Who is the best opponent that you’ve shared a ring with? When I was 15, I sparred (Uganda’s future Commonwealth featherweight king) Jackson Asiku at the Newham (ABC) gym. He was sharpening his tools with a fight pending when his sparring partner let him down. I did six rounds with him and started to frustrate him which made him wild, despite my age! He was very strong and a big puncher. That was a very tough spar!
All time favourite fighter: Pernell Whittaker or Joe Calzaghe. No point watching orthodox!
All time favourite fight: Corrales-Castillo I. They were evenly matched for power and talent so it came down to who wanted it most. Corrales victory showed ‘will to win’ in its extreme.
Which current match would you most like to see made? Kell Brook against Amir Khan at welterweight. It’d be a great fight for Britain and, on their last performances, I’d probably side with Brook.
What is your routine on fight day? I’ll get up at eight and, provided I’ve weighed-in the day before, mum will insist on making me a full cooked breakfast. After that, I’ll just make sure my gear’s ready and chill out. Throughout the day I eat lots of nuts and berries plus small portions of beans on toast, stuff like that. In my mind, I’ll think through different scenarios: ‘What will I need to do if I get cut or dropped or hurt?’ Mentally, I leave no stone uncovered.
I always like to arrive at the arena before any punters, even before the ring’s set up. In the changing room, I’m quite calm always happy and joking. Jimmy wraps my hands and I’ll be thinking: ‘I’ve done all the hard work training. Now go out and perform to the best of my ability.’
Entrance music: ‘Can’t Stop This’ by the Chilli Peppers.
What are your ambitions as a boxer? I’m motivated by achievement; going through all the hardship to reach your goal. I’ve a good job which pays well so don’t desperately need the money.
Ultimately, I just want to find my level. Dean Powell is already pushing for a 10 round title fight for me. In sparring, (stablemate and reigning British champ) Colin Lynes never holds back yet our spars are very close so I know I’m at a good level. Too many are anxious to protect their zero but I’m quite happy to fight the other unbeaten prospects, just as happens in the U.S.
How do you relax? I enjoy doing the maintenance on our family run farm. It’s a chance to learn new skills. I also watch a bit of tennis, cricket and athletics.
Football team: I’m not a fan but West Ham are the nearest one so I root for them.
Read: I’m not a big reader of books. I read Boxing News cover to cover plus The Sun.
Music: No selected genre. Easy listening. My favourite artist is Jack Johnson who does melodies.
Films/TV: I like deep, meaningful films, anything with Robert DeNiro in. I don’t watch a lot of tv but Sky Plus all the boxing.
Aspiration in life: To live a clean, fair life and be well respected. I’m a humble person.
Motto: If you don’t, somebody else will!
Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £75 and £100 are available from:
Ticketmaster: 0844 844 0444
Saunders v Hill and Hall v Webb is live and exlcusive on Saturday 28th April on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546). Join at www.boxnation.com
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IN DEPTH WITH ASHLEY SEXTON
Rising flyweight talent Ashley Sexton features on Queensberry Promotions’ debut of the exciting new concept show BoxAcademy on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546) on Thursday 3rd May at The Troxy in London.
Unbeaten in twelve fights, the Cheshunt fighter will go in over eight rounds.
Name: Ashley Sexton
Born: Edmonton, north London
Age: 24
Family background: I’m the eldest of three. I’ve a younger brother and a younger sister. I’m the only one in the family who’s boxed but I’ve heard I’m distantly related to Archie Sexton (a 1933 British and Empire middleweight challenger from Bethnal Green).
Today I live in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire with my fiancée Natalie. I’ve three kids, Archie (5), Indie Summer (3) and Tiger Manny (1).
Trade: I do a bit of labouring. I went to college to do gas installation and passed everything so I’ve that to fall back on but I turned pro at 20. What I’d like to do is personal training; nothing better than walking around all day looking at a gym full of women and getting paid good money!
Nickname: ‘Flash’, partly because I had some proper flash moves and partly cos I scored a flash knockdown in my fourth schoolboy fight. Danny Oliver, Spencer’s brother, called me it and it stuck.
What age did you become interested in boxing and why? As a young kid I weren’t very athletic. I was into insects and bugs, and loved going fishing; a bit of a geek! Where we lived, around Tottenham and Wood Green, was pretty rough. My school was pretty rough and, if you couldn’t defend yourself, you’d get eaten alive. Dad took me to everything; kick-boxing, karate, judo but I enjoyed the boxing on a social level. I became good friends with Darren and Gary Barker after he took me to the Finchley gym when I was seven or eight.
What do you recall of your amateur career? I had my first fight, aged 11, at 30 kilos! For the first four years I stayed at Finchley and was trained by Jimmy Oliver, Spencer’s dad. At 15, I moved to the Cheshunt ABC where I was coached by Mark Bliss, once a Southern Area featherweight champion then finished off at the Haringey club under (trainer) Brian John.
I had 97 fights and lost less than 25. I won the Minors, two national schoolboy titles, was robbed in the Junior ABA finals up in Huddersfield, then bagged two NACYPs. Twice I got to the semi-final of the English (senior) ABAs but was stitched up against Liverpool’s Paul Edwards (2006), then beaten fair and square by Adam Whitfield of the Army (2008). Both went on to win the title.
Against Edwards, I thought I dominated but, in four rounds, was only given one point, other than those given against him for persistent holding. Ridiculous! Hopefully, he’ll move up to superfly in the pros so I can right the wrong. That needs addressing!
I must have had 30 odd internationals and represented England at every level from the age of 12. I went to the European Schools in Rome, the European Cadets in Estonia and the European Juniors in Lithuania but never managed a medal. I also went to France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Ghana and the US many, many times. I once boxed a Cuban, Salanas, who’d beaten Yuri Gamboa and Guillermo Rigondeaux.
The highlight was representing England abroad. I shared a room with Amir Khan for many years and fellas like Bradley Skeete and Georgie Groves who were also on the squad will remain friends until I die.
I was never a computer boxer, always had a fight, so I’m very content to walk away with four national titles. I exceeded expectations and saw places I’d otherwise never see. My one regret was that I never bagged a senior ABA title. I let myself down there.
Why did you decide to turn pro when you did? I knew I never really had a style to succeed at the Olympics because I got involved too much, liked everyone to enjoy my fights. Knowing I was small, I always watched the lighter pros like Jimmy Yelland, Ian Napa, Martin Power, Spenny, the Booth brothers, Johnny Armour...Like them, I wanted my name to be up in lights.
Tell us about your back up team: Up until my British title draw with Shinny Baayer (May 2010), I was trained by Paul Rees, managed by Mickey Helliet and promoted by Frank Maloney. Afterwards, I wanted a change. Perhaps I was trying to shift the blame but I left Paul on amicable terms, saw out my contract with Mickey and moved to Hayemaker.
There, I was trained mostly by Pete Marcasiano, David Haye’s strength and conditioning coach and learned loads of new stuff. I had two fights in Germany on Haye undercards and one in the UK when Darren Barker fought for the European title. Pete was a terrific guy but I found it hard to adapt to Hayemaker’s way of fighting, I wasn’t a natural counterpuncher like George or David. Pete no longer had time to give me his full attention and, after a few months and no fights with Spencer Oliver, I apologised to Paul Rees and went back to him and Mickey. I found the grass weren’t greener!
I trust them implicitly and that makes a big difference. Before the split, because I went a few fights unbeaten, everyone was blowing smoke up my arse and, if I’m honest, I got caught up a bit in the hype. I’ve grown up a lot since and I’m glad it happened then. I’ve become a better person and better fighter because of it.
I first met Paul when I was at the Finchley. Because he shuns the limelight, he’s very underrated. He doesn’t get the ABA champions but converts average fighters into good fighters. With a good fighter, which I believe I am, I think he can make ‘em world class.
I can still call Pete and Ruben Tabares from Hayemaker for advice. Ruben’s knowledge of nutrition is second to none and, strength wise, Pete could turn you into The Incredible Hulk if he wanted!
What’s your training schedule? Which parts do you most and least enjoy? I used to have a fight then go missing on holiday for five weeks and eat my body weight! However, after my last fight on a Friday night, I was back in the gym sparring six rounds the following Monday.
If I’m working, I’ll be up for a five to six mile run before going to work then I’ll hit the gym immediately after. Four weeks before a fight, I give up the labouring. That’s the only way you can get 100%.
In camp, I move into my Nan’s to isolate myself from the kids. I’ll arrive at The Monster Gym in Cheshunt around midday and, after Paul’s taped my hands, I’ll do rounds of shadow boxing, pads, bags, a circuit, some skipping, maybe a bit of cross trainer or some sprints on the machine, then stretch out. It varies. Paul makes it up as he goes along.
Two or three days a week, I’ll spar with guys like Brad Watson, Phil Gill and Andy Smith, a southpaw who works my corner. Later, I might do another weight session or more cardio and two days a week I do fitness work with a guy called Ben Cormack. But I never kill myself. I’m mindful of overtraining.
Also, I go away as a paid sparring partner. I once did two and a half weeks in the French Alps with Brahim Asloum (the 2000 Olympic light-fly gold medallist and ex WBA light-fly champion). I was looked after very well and learnt a lot. Recently, I spent 10 days in Italy with Andrea Sarritzu (the former European flyweight champion and a recent IBF challenger).
Sparring is what I most enjoy. I just love to fight. There’s no pressure on you and it depends on my mood. Sometimes I mess around, other times, I’ll go for the guy. I least like making weight. It can ruin careers if you don’t respect it. I used to eat take aways out of training but now I keep my weight lower. Today, I never walk around above nine stone.
Describe your style? What are your best qualities? I’m a ‘leave it all in the ring’ guy, an action fighter. Recently, someone wrote I’m ‘a warrior by nature’. I liked that. I like my fans to get their money’s worth. I like to impose myself, apply educated pressure off the jab, pin ‘em on the ropes and hit ‘em hard with every shot.
What specifically do you need to work on to fully optimise your potential as a fighter? My defence definitely still needs addressing. I take too many, sometimes. When I sparred Sarritzu, he weren’t the most technical but he really shelled up and took hardly any punishment. That’s how you succeed at the very top level.
What have you found to be the biggest difference between the pro and amateur codes? Not having to score points. Also, they’d pull you apart whenever you got close in the amateurs. I like to work inside and throw people about. The pro refs allow you to work yourselves out of clinches, provided you’re not holding.
Who is the best opponent that you’ve shared a ring with? Probably Wayne McCullough. I sparred him at his garage gym over in Vegas. I was only about 14 but he bashed me up with body shots and stuck the nut on me nose! He was class. Straight after, his wife Cheryl came into the ring wearing six inch heels and gave him a serious pad session. Amazing!
The best home fighter I’ve faced would be Rendall Munroe. He was as strong in round ten as he was in round one and was just very good all round.
All time favourite fighter: Between Marco Antonio Barrera, a proper warrior who was technically very good, and Mike Tyson who was just ferocious. I’ve met Tyson a few times and he was always a really nice bloke.
All time favourite fight: Barrera-Morales I. Both were world class fighters who gave it everything and really hated each other!
Which current match would you most like to see made? Mayweather-Pacquiao. It’s ‘The Fight’, isn’t it. I think Mayweather beats him; too big and too cute.
What is your routine on fight day? If in London, I set no alarm and just wake when I wake, then spend another hour in bed, dozing. I’ll have a nice breakfast then have a shower and a shave. Sometimes, I’ll get my haircut. I need to look my best. Afterwards, I’ll chill out with a DVD or on the Internet. I might watch some boxing.
In the build up to every fight, I get myself a good book to read in the dressing room on the night of the fight. I start getting changed an hour, hour and a half, before I’m due in the ring. I’ll flick out on the pads then it’s time to go.
Entrance music: It’s always the first few bars of ‘Flash’ by Queen followed by something different for every fight.
What are your ambitions as a boxer? This year I definitely want to make my way to the British and Commonwealth super flyweight titles. After that, it’s a bit awkward as the division’s not recognised by the EBU yet. That said, fighters with less fights than me have contested world titles over in the Far East. Hopefully, I can be manoeuvred into the right positions.
How do you relax? Generally I spend time with the kids and catch up with mates. You don’t get time when you’re stuck away in camp. We’re all football mad so watch matches at the pub or play over the field. I’m no good but I’m definitely the fittest!
Football team: Mad Arsenal fan. I can’t commit to a season ticket but can always get tickets when I need them and I go regularly.
Read: It used to be biographies; Che Guevera, Fidel Castro....Recently, I’ve really got into Stieg Larsson novels; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.
Music: Mainly Indie Rock. I like The Stereophonics and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Films/TV: I like films with the big name actors. If Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp or Will Smith is in it, you know it’s likely to be good. On TV, I love a bit of Shameless and I’ve just started getting into Entourage and Jersey Shore.
Aspiration in life: To be remembered as a fighter who always gave you your money’s worth.
Motto: Seize The Day!
The debut of BoxAcademy will be broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546).
Tickets for BoxAcademy on 3rd May at The Troxy are priced at £35 and £50 and are available from the Queensberry Promotions Box Office on 01992 550 888 or www.frankwarren.tv
