After a brilliant come-back fight against Bradley Price, former
European and British Light Welterweight champion Colin Lynes (34-8, 12
ko's), now campaigning at Welter, pulled out of his scheduled March 18
bout against Nathan Graham (11-1, 1 ko)on Hard Knocks Boxing Shamrock
Showdown card. Spencer Fearon, head of Hard Knocks explains why and
gives us his opinion on last weekend big domestic fights.
BOXINGINSIDER: First of all, how do you assess Lynes' victory over Price?
SPENCER FEARON: He has done very well. He clearly beat Bradley and it
all goes down to an intelligent game plan and Colin being successful
in applying it.
BI: You would assume that winning would boost his confidence. Why did
he pull out against Nathan Graham, then?
SF: Winning actually had a negative effect on his mind. He now
believes he is in line for a title shot and does not want to take
chances. He still wanted to be on the show, but against an easier
opponent, although I see the fight with Nathan as 60-40 in Colin
favour and I offered him double the money he made against Price. He
reckons that it's still too much of a risk, also because of Graham
being the house fighter.
BI: How do you fancy his chances for a title shot?
SF: I think it's delusional of what he actually brings on the table
after only 1 fight, but I don't blame him, because this is the way
most fighters think today, I mean expecting to get a title shot by
sitting down and talking numbers. The way I see it, if you want a
title shot, GO OUT AND FIGHT THEN.
BI: To remain on the subject of domestic titles, how do you rate
Ashley Theophane win against Lenny Daws for the British Light
Welterweight title on Mick Hennessy card at Wembley last Saturday?
SF: Ashley is a different type of fighter. He learned his craft in
America, while not being rated over here, having a series of tough
fights. He won, he lost, and he drew but always against good
opposition and that's what makes the difference and got him the
decision at Wembley against Lenny Daws, who was the house fighter.
That needs to be stressed.
BI: What about O'Donnell loss to Watson for the British Welter belt?
SF: I think it's poetic justice, as I, like many others, believe
Watson won the first fight. This is because O'Donnell does not fight
accordingly to his physical attributes: why staying close and throw
short punches, if you are the taller guy? If I was him, I would sit
down and watch tapes of Tommy Hearns.
BI: On Frank Warren's bill at York Hall, on the same night, John Mc
Dermott pulled an upset against Larry Olubamiwo. Your comments?
SF: Upset? How is that an upset? Let's be realistic: there are tricks
in the trades and mechanics in business. On one side you have a guy
who has years of experience and learned his trade properly and on the
other one who didn't. And this is another typical sign of these
times: fighters do not learn the basics, go to train with someone
like Freddie Roach, for example, for TWO weeks and then think they
know everything. With respect to Roach.
Bi: What about Frankie Gavin vs Lomax on the same bill?
SF: Gavin is a highly skilled operator and I am not making any excuses
for Lomax, who was in shape and had been training to fight Lee Purdy,
who fell ill at the last minute, but he made Frankie look better than
he was on the night. Lomax froze in front of the occasion.
BI: From a promoting point of view, if you had to match Hennessy show
against Warren's, who would be the winner?
SF: Hennessy, as his fights were matched 50/50.
BI: Do you think Junior Witter, who lost a decision against the
relatively unknown Victor Puiu in Canada, is completely shot?
SF: I don't, actually. I think he has made in this fight the same
mistake he made against Timothy Bradley. He lost to Bradley because
his mind at the time was focused on this dream fight he wanted against
Ricky Hatton. Until a few weeks ago, he was convinced he was going to
fight Amir Khan. He really wanted that fight. So, I don't' think it's
really a matter of being shot as much as lack of motivation.
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Harry Andrews is a former professional boxer who decided to pursue a
career as a trainer due to personal and economical circumstances. As
a pro, he was a stable mate of Spencer Fearon who offered him to train
Hard Knocks Light Welterweight contender Darren Hamilton (7-1, 1 ko),
with whom he found immediate chemistry. On the 18th of March, on the
Shamrock Showdown card, they will face the biggest challenge of their
collective career fighting tough Irish champion Peter McDonagh (16-19,
2 ko's) for the Southern Area title. Here is his perspective on the
fight.
BOXINGINSIDER: How is Darren physical condition?
HARRY ANDREWS: Since day one, I have been training him to go ten
rounds. Being always in shape is a given, as far as I am concerned.
Opportunities in this game are not made: they just pop out. You must
be ready to take them, even at 48 hours notice.
BI: How do you rate McDonagh as an opponent?
HA: He is a credit to the sport. He hasn't got the greatest record,
but he never dodges anyone. If every boxer had his attitude, the game
would be in a healthier shape today and we would be able to get more
out of it. Style wise, he moulds himself to fit whatever opposition is
in front of him.
BI: What will be Darren main asset and key to victory going into the fight?
HA: Determination, more than speed, power or tactics. He is very
motivated. This is a great opportunity and we must win it.
BI: How does it feel to the underdog going into this fight?
HA: It plays totally to our advantage. The pressure is on McDonagh
more than on us. Whatever people have to say, it does not bother or
affect us. We are totally focused on the job and we are going to make
it.
BI: Are you going for a knockout or a point victory?
HA: I want Darren to be tight and box sharply. Winning is the main
objective, it doesn't matter in which fashion.