London Calling - By Ashley Theophane

LONDON CALLING By Ashley Theophane I sparred with my good friend Ajose Olusegun in my last week of training camp at Gleason’s gym. We have sparred so many times in the United Kingdom. We have sparred in London’s finest boxing gyms, from All Stars in Paddington, to Kronk in Kentish Town, to MyGym in Finchley and now Gleason’s gym in New York City. I helped Ajose get ready for his fights with Nigel Wright, so it was nice that he repaid the favour, as I will be defending my British title against Nigel on December 10th. It was much more of a mental than physical boost, as I rate Ajose as one of the best fighters I have ever sparred with, alongside with Joan Guzman. I have learned loads from Ajose, so I am very pleased that he is on the verge of becoming the WBC world champion. He is now the mandatory challenger for WBC champion Erik Morales. Ajose is the last man to beat Nigel Wright two years ago. I am feeling in very good form. I was spoilt for choice for sparring in this camp. I sparred with former WBA 147lb world champion, Luis Collazo, two time WBC 147lb world title challenger, Raul Frank, IBF 130lb world title challenger, Argenis Mendez, WBA 140lb world title challenger, Dmitriy Salita, former IBF 140lb world number three, Francisco Figueroa, WBC 140lb world number one, Ajose Olusegun, and WBC 122lb world number five, Leon Moore. That is some list. I have personally arranged all the above sparring, which just goes to show ‘the love and respect’ I have, and get from my fellow professionals in New York City. Not to mention my self-belief in only wanting to mix it with the very best. The talent I have been sparring for this camp is on the level of what Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would have at their disposal. So I really do appreciate the fighters and trainers who helped me get the absolute best out of my body. I completed 132 rounds sparring over my seven week training camp. I am more than ready. My weight is around 146lbs, with two weeks to go until my weigh-in for the bout. I weighed in at 138lbs for my fight with Jason Cook. I normally put on 10lbs between the weigh in and the fight. Spring Creek Towers was my hardest workout of the week. I am laser focused and highly motivated at the moment, which helps me get through the session. The pain you go through whilst running up the tower block is excruciating. I completed eighteen floors twelve times. It took me just under forty minutes. It was three thousand and twenty four steps. This is my first week back in London, and I have had a busy week. To read Ashley's full editorial click here Source:Chicago Boxing News