ANTHONY OGOGO is restarting his stalled professional career. Heโs already fought more often in 2016 than he did in the preceeding 18 months and the Olympic bronze medallist is loving being back.
He suffered injury setbacks that prevented him from competing and training. But now that is behind him. โIโve got that bit between my teeth. Iโve got a whole new sense of appreciation for boxing,โ Ogogo said. โNow Iโm doing it again, Iโve enjoyed it. Since Iโve been back in the gym in January not one day has gone past where I havenโt enjoyed training, even the hard spars, Iโve enjoyed it because that beats having to get taken to the bathroom by your girlfriend, thatโs bad days.
โIn those dark days where nobody sees you in so much pain that you canโt even sleep at night apart from my girlfriend who had to deal with me. Iโve worked so hard. It feels six months ago was a very long time ago, some very, very dark days and Iโve worked hard for days like thisโฆ The journeyโs already back on the road.โ
He boxed in Glasgow, halting Gary Cooper, before competing on Anthony Joshuaโs undercard at the O2 when he flattened Frane Radnic with a clean left hook to the jaw.
โIt felt almost like another debut,โ Anthony said of his return to action in Scotland. โIt felt strange because of the inactivity but now itโs my job to get in the ring, no headguard, pro gloves, pro environment and make it second nature to me. Thatโll only happen the more often I fight. The more often I fight, the sharper Iโll become, the better Iโll feel and then itโs win-win for everybody.
โI canโt wait to be headlining it myself. In the meantime Iโve got to play by the rules, be on the undercard until I work my way up there to headline myself. Itโs going to be an exciting journey.โ
Heโs done some good sparring, including with George Groves. โThat was nice, just got a few short, sharp rounds in, help him out so again itโs great sparring with a guy whoโs very experienced. Itโs been really good,โ Anthony said.
โKeeping as busy as possible is my objective,โ he continued. โMy job is to box, be sensational in my fights, make it impossible to be ignored and do things the hard way. Iโve done things the hard way my entire life. Nothingโs new in that respect. Iโm not where I want to be because of the injuries and whatever but thereโs no point sitting and whinging and sulking about not being there. Iโve got to get there. And the only way Iโm going to get there is by being great.โ