Were you surprised to win the British Boxing Board of Control’s fighter of the year award?
I thought I was deserving of the award but I never thought I would get it due to the fighters that were in there in the mix as well [like Tony Bellew and Anthony Joshua]. There were some great fighters that were in there as well. To actually get the award was brilliant. It was a real nice achievement and a nice confidence booster. It’s nice to know that my hard work and my performances aren’t going unnoticed. People are now beginning to take notice of my talent, which I’ve been banging on about for years! Now people are starting to believe it.
It was such an honour to be given that award, given the past winners.
What did you take from the Viktor Postol fight?
I took a lot of positives from that fight because it was kind of an off night for me. I kind of had an off night. I wasn’t performing the way I would have liked to have performed. I couldn’t get going for four, five, six rounds. I had to change my approach and change the way I was boxing. I started relaxing six, seven rounds in and I started getting my work flowing a bit more and I started nailing him a bit more.
I’m really happy with the performance, the way the fight went. I learned about myself in there and I’m taking a lot of confidence given that that was a 70% performance from myself.
What kind of pressure were you under?
I knew was riding on the back of the fight. I knew obviously I’d made the decision that if I won it, I was coming into this [World Boxing Super Series] tournament. It was a huge fight.
There was a lot riding on the result of that fight and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I was just trying a bit too hard to impress and was too eager. But I’ve learned now. Now I’m there. Fighting in the fights I want to be. The pressure’s off. I’m performing much better in the gym.
What do you think of Ryan Martin (his November 3 opponent in the World Boxing Super Series)?
He is a good fighter. He’s very well rounded. He’s got fast hands, good timing. He’s got good defence. Solid all round but he’s not special at any one thing in particular.
So I’m going to have to be equally solid all round and not lack part of game, which I did against Postol. I was switching off and getting caught out at silly time while switching off.
I feel I can win the fight convincingly.
