By Dean Parr
On the 28th of November, ‘Mad Dog’ Wayne Elcock was meant to challenge Darren Barker for the British and Commonwealth middleweight Titles. However, just 36 hours before fight time, Elcock had to pull out of the fight. Wayne caught up with BoxingScene.com to explain why.
“I was devastated as it was so close to fight and I had a good camp, but I picked up a viral infection, which knocked me for six” he divulged. “I was already on the weight but with not been able to keep anything down my weight plummeted to under 11 stone. I was then advised not to box by the doctor after being diagnosed.”
A minority of conspiracy theorists have suggested that the real reason behind Elcock’s pull out was that he didn't want to fight the up-and-coming Barker. However, the fighter himself suggests that he was more than confident of victory.
He said: “Like I said earlier, I was absolutely devastated. I really fancied the job and the preparation for the fight had gone great, but a heart-to-heart with my trainer Paddy Lynch made me see sense. I did not want to let this chance pass, but I would have been letting everyone down if I had boxed, and also put my health on the line and risked serious injury.”
As it turned out, Danny Butler took Elcock's place on the ITV 4 card. The Bristol man was stopped in seven rounds by Barker but had lasted longer than many predicted he would. Elcock was fairly impressed with Butler's performance.
“Fair play to Danny for taking the fight at short notice, but after a decent first round he went into his shell and looked out of his depth. That said though, he is a young kid with plenty of promise so the whole occasion will serve him well in the future and unlike me, he is young enough to bounce back,” he reflected.
After this setback, Elcock is unsure about his next move. “I've not got a clue about my next fight if I'm honest,” he revealed. “I'm hoping to hear more in the New Year. I'm really hoping we can still make the fight as I feel I will give Barker a stern test and really answer questions that as yet I don't think Darren has had to answer. If he is looking at moving on to the world scene, my experience, if he decides to face me, can only serve him well on what lies ahead at a higher level.”
Now, though, Elcock just wants to focus on 2010, and continuing to make his mark on the sport.
“I'd just like to thank those around me that helped me prepare for this fight, and sorry I couldn't put all the hard work into practice. I'm back on track now though, and hoping 2010 will be a better year. I'll keep busier and stay hungry to show I have something to offer the game. I'm just hoping this recent set back has not frozen me out and that I'm given the chance to prove my worth,” barked ‘Mad Dog’.
