INTRODUCING DP ‘CANNON’ CARR: “I ALWAYS AIM TO ENTERTAIN!”
24.03.16

INTRODUCING DP ‘CANNON’ CARR: “I ALWAYS AIM TO ENTERTAIN!”

In professional boxing, nothing courts attention quite like a genuine knockout punch and, after just two paid gigs, Sidcup anaesthetist (Daniel) DP Carr has got capital fight fans salivating, writes Glynn Evans.

DP Carrarr

Following a solid rather than spectacular 42 bout amateur innings, the 26 year old Gooner who they call ‘The Cannon’ has exploded onto the circuit with brutal demolitions of Coventry’s Aaron Flinn (rsc2) last October, then Latvia’s Aleksandrs Birkenbergs (co3) in January. A thunderbolt right hand has been at the root of the lightweight’s carnage.

‘I guess it’s always been there to an extent,’ says the 5ft 6in qualified personal trainer and nutritionist.

‘In my fifth amateur fight, aged 17, my coach advised me to rush out and chuck a big right hand. It landed flush and the fight was over in literally a few seconds.

‘But as an amateur, I always seemed to be matched with far more experienced kids and was always ‘killing’ myself making weight.

‘It’s mad. Between the ages of 23 and 25 I had a break for two years and, when I came back, I felt so much stronger. I was suddenly hurting every opponent and knocking plenty out, especially with the overhand right.’

The Alan Smith trained, Andy Ayling managed starlet revealed that the fight game is coursing through his veins.

He explains: ‘My old man (Paul) got to seven national amateur finals and I believe won four of them. He later boxed pro as a middle and super-middle in the late 90s but packed up when I was about eight.

‘Between the ages of nine and eleven, I trained at a couple of naff local clubs that didn’t have much of a clue but never actually competed. Then, just before I was 16, I took it up far more seriously at the Fisher club. Ironically, I was coached by Stevie Hiser who had trained my dad when he was amateur a couple of decades earlier.

‘I won 31 of 42 amateur bouts but always fought at a good level. When I’d had barely a handful of bouts I was put in with kids who’d had 30 or 40.

‘Because of the late start, I never entered the junior championships but I once got to the national semis of the CYPs.

‘I won two London senior ABA titles and, in 2015, I made the English quarters but got beat by Adam Cope from Hartlepool. I also got picked to box for England against Italy but the opponent pulled out so an international vest alluded me. That was a bit frustrating.

‘But I loved my time in the amateurs. I particularly enjoyed the brutal banter at the Fisher. The only downside was that, too often, I was ‘killing’ myself making weight due to lack of knowledge. Ironically, for the past 18 months I’ve run my own nutrition company, Athlete’s Kitchen!’

When the time came for the power loaded prospect to turn his assault upon the paid brigade late last year, he opted to link up with the upwardly mobile iBox squad in nearby Bromley – home to British welterweight challenger Bradley ‘Super’ Skeete.

‘My Dad always helped out with little tips and advice but I think his dad was pretty hard on him when he was boxing so he wanted to avoid that with me. He never pushed me into the sport and always stressed that it wasn’t something you could go into half-hearted,’ explains Dan.

‘Dad told me he found it very lonely when he was a pro so, after coming from such a strong team environment at the Fisher, the iBox gym is perfect for me.

‘Alan (Smith, head coach) helped me out with some quality sparring when I was in the ABAs and told me he’d be delighted to have me when I suggested going pro. He’s very knowledgeable and very patient but a real perfectionist. Starting out, he’d go on and on and on to eliminate the bad habits I’d developed in the amateurs.

‘To acclimatize to the pros, I’ve had plenty of quality sparring with the likes of Lewis Pettitt and Iain Weaver plus Ryan Burnett and (reigning IBF super-bantam boss) Carl Frampton who’s just so strong. I’m working on keeping my right hand up after I jab and putting my shots together. It’s coming.’

‘The Cannon’ can next be seen unleashing his weapons of mass destruction when he returns to the York Hall – scene of the Birkenbergs’ blast out – in a test optimistically planned for four rounds on March 25th.

‘I sold 169 tickets for my last fight just after Christmas and I’m confident I’ll do over 200 next fight,’ he concludes.

‘In 2016, I intend to remain unbeaten and gradually work my way up to 10 round fights and hopefully contention for a Southern Area title shot.

‘I believe my style is quite exciting to watch. I like to stalk and threaten, apply clever pressure. I always aim to entertain.’

 

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