NEARLY a full four-year Olympic cycle has passed since London 2012. Most members of that GB team now ply their trade in the professional ranks, although it hasnโt been an easy route. Liverpoolโs Thomas Stalker, who narrowly missed out on medalling at the last Olympics, has suffered a defeat to Jack Catterall and has had to endure three consecutive draws in his last three fights.
The results may not have gone his way but Stalker is increasingly satisfied with how heโs performing after moving down a division to lightweight. โIโm happy with the way Iโm boxing. I think Iโve found my proper weight class. Itโs a lot better for me. Iโm getting in the ring now putting a full stone on and feeling strong. Where I used to fight at 10st, because I didnโt diet much, I used to get in the ring at 10st 5lbs. So Iโm weighing heavier, weighing in at 9st 9lbs, than what I did at 10st and I just feel like Iโm bigger and stronger and better at the weight. There are some good fights for me this year,โ he told Boxing News.
He also feels that he merited at least one win from his two contests with Craig Evans and should been awarded the decision against Tommy Carus. โI won the fight, everyone whoโs there thought I won the fight. I was strong early on, last couple of rounds I maybe lost or drew but I thought I won, not as good as the first Evans fight but quite clearly. I havenโt had the rub of the green, have I? Itโll turn round because Iโve been in the gym constantly. Even though the last few fights have been draws, I have improved a lot. Itโs down to my trainer Danny Vaughan. Iโve got a great relationship with him and weโre working hard together,โ Thomas said. โItโs boxing, isnโt it? Youโve just got to keep going. This is my third year [with Frank Warren] and Frankโs been brilliant with me. Everything he said heโs going to do heโs done for me and Iโm glad I went with him.โ
Heโs happy to fight a final decider with Craig Evans. โIโm up to do the third fight. Weโve had two good fights. I won the first fight clearly. The second fight was a lot closer, if he had won it by a round, you couldnโt have complained, if I had won it by a round you couldnโt have complained. Itโs a good fight and I think the public would like to see a third fight, which could happen,โ Stalker said. โHe is a good fighter.โ
The Liverpudlian was the captain of the amateur team that featured both Luke Campbell and Anthony Joshua, two Olympic gold medallists. As a professional Joshua has stormed to a world title fight in only 16 bouts, while Campbell, who has for the most part impressed, has still had to endure a first professional defeat. Stalker has complete faith in his former team mates. โHe will become a world champion, Luke Campbell, because heโs too good not to,โ Thomas said. โHeโs moved to Miami now, training with Rigondeauxโs [old] trainer. Everything heโs done he’s done for the best for him. Heโll no doubt become a world champion because heโs too good not to. The thing about boxing now, people do lose. Itโs not the end of the world if you lose. People protect their record too much. If you do lose, at the end of the day as long as you entertain the fans and youโre in a good fight thatโs what itโs about. Having 20 fights and winning them all and fighting nobody, when you get through youโre just going to get beat anyway. I just think itโs about steady progression and being in good fights. Iโm 31 years of age. Iโll fight anyone. Iโll fight anyone. Thatโs the mentality Iโve got.
โBeing on the wrong end of the decision, itโs not nice. But you find out whoโs there for you anyway.โ
Joshua, more immediately, could be a world champion if he beats IBF titlist Charles Martin on April 9 in London. โHeโs doing brilliant Iโm proud of them. Heโs fighting for the world title,โ Thomas continued. โI think he can beat him and heโll be an Olympic gold medallist and world champion after 16 fights. I think the kid [Charles Martin] is not a Tyson Fury or a Klitschko. The kidโs beatable. Thatโs a massive fightโฆ It would be amazing.โ