When and why you started boxing:
I started when I was eight years old. I tried a lot of sports but just fell in love with boxing.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Muhammad Ali. He was a smart, slick boxer who had good footwork and was fun to watch.
Best fight you’ve seen:
The three Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward fights were back and forth and really kept your interest.
Personal career highlight:
Fighting at Madison Square Garden [against Josh Kelly in June – d md 10]. A lot of the greats have fought there.
Toughest opponent:
Aslanbek Kozaev [w ud 12 – February 2014]. He’s a great fighter and he forced me to go to another level.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
I feel like I can out-think my opponents because I’m an awkward fighter with a unique style. However, this has been a weakness in a way because it’s meant that people have avoided me and I haven’t been able to get the very big fights.
Training tip:
What you put in is what you get out. If you take shortcuts with training the only person you’re hurting is yourself.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
A steak at Del Frisco’s.
Best friends in boxing:
My team – the ones who I train with every day, who push me in camp and are in my corner on fight night.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
I just like being myself and enjoying the journey I’m on in my boxing career.
Last film/TV show you saw:
[TV series] Black Mirror on Netflix.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
There’s actually a short film on YouTube about my life story. It’s called The New Ray Robinson. A young boxer from my gym plays me as a kid. He does a great job, as he knows what it’s like to grow up as a young boxer in Philly.
Have you ever been starstruck:
I’ve never been starstruck, but maybe if I’d met Muhammad Ali it would’ve been different.
Last time you cried:
When I found out I was having my son, Kingston.
Best advice received:
‘There are no friends in boxing. It’s just business.’ That’s the truth.
Worst rumour about yourself:
I’ve not really heard any rumours about myself.
Something not many people know about you:
Not many people know that I like to listen to country music.
