THE ONLY WAY IS UP
NEW: Our fighting talk feature on what’s said and done inside – and outside – of the ropes, this week featuring some fighting talk from Terry Flanagan, Martin Murray talent spotting and the last word goes to Daniel Dubois on those sparring stories…
Hooks & Jabs
By Richard Hubbard
SHOULD TERRY FLANAGAN, as he is favoured to do, become a two-weight world champion on June 9 in Manchester, don’t expect him to start looking to settle any squabbles on the domestic front just yet.
The currently 33-0 former WBO world lightweight champion – who is fighting for the belt at the weight above against Maurice Hooker at his local arena – appears to have little or no interest in entering into an all-British showdown or two if he overcomes the unbeaten American.
In fact, he is actually uncharacteristically emphatic over the prospect of taking on any of Jack Catterall, Ohara Davies or Josh Leather any time soon.
“Of course, what do I want to be fighting them for?” questioned the Turbo. “I will be a f**cking undefeated two-weight world champion and I won’t be looking to fight people at British level.
“I’ll be looking for unification fights, them fights that will go down in history that will have you known as a great fighter. I won’t be looking backwards – I’ll get them on the way back down.”
If the domestic hopefuls do want a piece of the action, the message from Terry is earn your shot.
“Go and win a world title then we’ll talk. I’m looking for massive fights.”
LAST WORD ON THE SPARRING STORIES
A FEW BRICKBATS recently flew in the direction of Daniel Dubois after the Commonwealth Games gold medallist Frazer Clarke publically denied any knowledge of the 20-year-old heavyweight sending Anthony Joshua southbound in sparring.
The story has been doing the rounds for the last year or so and probably the one person who has steadfastly refused to add any fuel to the speculative fire is Daniel himself.
The only thing Daniel has ever confirmed personally is that he has indeed sparred many rounds with Joshua, Clarke and Joe Joyce and that he gave them all ‘a bit of bother’, which hardly amounts to telling tales out of sparring school.
“I think so and I said the truth, which is basically it,” concurred the now 7-0 pro, who bids to add the English title to his collection next time out on June 23 against Tom Little at the 02 Arena.
“I’ve said what I’ve done and that’s it. I don’t know why everyone is going on about what has or hasn’t happened. They know themselves what has gone on and we’ll leave it at that.
“Frazer knows what I have done to him as well.”
WATCH OUT FOR THE QUIET ONE
JACK CATTERALL MAY well be kept in the waiting room for a little longer if he has designs on Terry Flanagan’s treasure but, in the meantime, he is making quite an impression on another seasoned campaigner.
After switching trainers and joining the class of Jamie Moore, Jack has been mingling with the likes of Carl Frampton and Martin Murray on a daily basis.
His talents have not escaped the notice of four-time world title challenger Murray and the young pup is unknowingly teaching an old dog new tricks.
“Jack is quality, really good,” said the St Helens stalwart. “He is probably the quieter one in the gym, but he is a young lad and, compared to the rest of us, has less experience. He is just a bit quieter by nature.
“Jack is flying and we all expect big things from him.
“You all learn off each other and I love watching Jack spar because he is a quality kid. I was watching him do a little move in the gym the other week and I tried it myself on the bag.
“I didn’t do it as good as him though! He might be thinking he is learning from us, but he might not know that we are all learning off each other.”
