Dean Dodge: ‘I stopped Chris Eubank Jr’s cousin, then asked him for a picture’

Dean Dodge

When and why you started boxing:
I started boxing at 11, my football coach sent me down there for extra fitness in the summer break and I loved every second of it. I guess you can say boxing chose me.

Favourite all-time fighter:
I donโ€™t have a favourite. I like a few different fighters but for argumentโ€™s sake letโ€™s go with Julio Cรฉsar Chรกvez and Roberto Durรกn, I love their cleverness and inside work.

Best fight youโ€™ve seen:
Ah, Iโ€™ve seen a lot of good fights on TV, but probably any of the fights with the Four Kings involved!

Personal career highlight:
Being honest, I havenโ€™t achieved anything at the moment although Iโ€™ve had some nice stoppages. This year will be my year! As an amateur I stopped Harlem Eubank in Brighton in front of his people, then asked Chris Eubank Jnr for a picture, he wasnโ€™t happy [laughs].

Toughest opponent:
Dean Jones, that man can take a shot! Heโ€™s the toughest because heโ€™s only been stopped by myself.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
Iโ€™m big and strong for my weight division. Weakness is I love to fight too much but Iโ€™m learning every day in the gym. Discipline throughout the fight is key and thatโ€™s something I work on daily.

Training tip:
Iโ€™d say is always stay at least half fit and be willing to learn!

Favourite meal/restaurant:
Easy, pizza is my favourite meal or a nice dirty burger. Restaurant? Come on, Iโ€™m a scruff I donโ€™t go to restaurants!

Best friends in boxing:
Best friend in boxing is my brudda and coach Dean Lewis, shout out to him!

Other sportsperson you would like to be:
I wouldnโ€™t want to be anyone else but myself!

Last film/TV show you saw:
Youโ€™re going to think Iโ€™m boring but what I watched last was boxing.

Who would play you in a film of your life:
Whoโ€™s a bad man? Nah, itโ€™s got to be Jake Gyllenhaal, heโ€™s a cool guy and heโ€™d play me well.

Have you ever been starstruck:
A little bit. I wouldnโ€™t say starstruck but training at the MTK Performance Centre and being around Josh Taylor, Leigh Wood and Billy Joe Saunders.

Last time you cried:
Cried?! Come on youโ€™re doing me dirty here, no comment officer!

Best advice received:
Never give up on yourself or your dreams. Not that someone has told me that, but Iโ€™ve told myself and itโ€™s always stuck with me.

Worst rumour about yourself:
That Iโ€™ve got a 10-inch Rodney, crazy rumour that is!

Something not many people know about you:
Iโ€™m a drum and bass lover. People who know me know this. All my ring entrance tunes are huge. The next one will be massive!

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