HUGE betting underdog Tommy Karpency of Adah, Pennsylvania shocked former world light-heavyweight champ Chad Dawson on Saturday night, winning a 10-round split decision in โBadโ Chadโs hometown of Connecticut. Improving to 24-4-1(14) with the biggest victory of his career, and โone of the best moments in my lifeโ, Karpency now hopes for further big fight opportunities.
Tommy has boxed in Britain before, losing to Nathan Cleverly in 2012, and he says he would โloveโ a fight with Carl Froch.
Karpency recalls the win over fellow southpaw Dawson:
Q: As you said post-fight, you feel you did more and landed the more telling blows. But with the fight being in Dawsonโs hometown, did you feel youโd get the decision?
Tommy Karpency: โYou know, in my heart, I know I won and I knew then Iโd won. But boxing, sometimes the judges are not friendly. But this time they got it right. I landed the more effective blows and all he landed on me were jabs – that was it.โ
Q: You did some good counter punching in the fight, was that your game-plan going in?
T.K: โOur gameplan going in was for the very best Chad Dawson. Heโs on the comeback trail and he was on weight and in shape for the fight. But I only had two weeks of sparring, which is no way enough for a fight of this magnitude. The counter punching, that started after the first round. I said to myself, โhey, I can box with this guy.โ I had the speed. And also, as Iโd not had that much time to get ready, I knew I had to make my punches count, so I threw a lot of counters. At times, after Iโd buzzed him in the earlier rounds, I really wanted to attack him, but I knew that if I didnโt get him out of there, I might not have enough left in the tank to get through the fight. And I held back a bit. I really think that if Iโd had more time to get ready for the fight, Iโd have walked him down. He never hurt me or fazed me once.โ
Q: Whatโs next for you, and do you feel the sky is the limit for you after this big win?
T.K: โYes, the sky is the limit. Before this fight, ESPN had Dawson ranked as the No.6 light-heavyweight in the world, and Ring Magazine had him at No.5. And I beat him over 10 rounds in a boxing match; it was a controlled performance. I proved that I belong with the elite at light-heavyweight. I want to fight the best in the world. Iโll go anywhere and Iโll fight anyone. Youโre from England – Iโd love to come over and fight Carl Froch if he wants to fight at light-heavyweight. Heโs the main man right now. What people might not know about me, is the fact that I had no amateur experience. I began boxing at age 19, and Iโve learnt from my losses – to Nathan Cleverly, to Andrzej Fonfara and to [Karo] Murat. Now Iโm a better fighter and Iโm finally seeing the hard work and the sacrifice pay off.โ
Q: How much notice were you given for the Cleverly fight back in 2012?
T.K: โI was actually given quite a bit of time for that fight. I have no excuses, I was beaten by the better man. What surprised me was his punch output, his volume of punches. I have no excuses there, but I wasnโt as good then as I am now.โ
Q: Sergey Kovalev crushed Cleverly as you know – how do you see Bernard Hopkins doing against Kovalev when they meet?
T.K: โI see that fight goingย two ways: either Bernard Hopkins has an early night, or Kovalev has a very frustrating night. Iโm anxious to see, is Kovalev the elite banger heโs appeared to be? We really donโt know yet. Iโm interested to see what happens when he [Kovalev] fights someone he canโt hit.โ
Q: And who is the best in the world today at light-heavyweight in your opinion?
T.K: โIโve gotta go with Hopkins. Heโs the master. Kovalev is a close second, so weโre going to see whoโs the best on November 8.โ
Q: Youโre on a three-fight win streak and it must have been satisfying for you to avenge your very first loss, when you outpointed Rayco Saunders three fights ago?
T.K: โIt was and it felt great. The first fight between me and Rayco was a very close and competitive fight. The rematch, he wasnโt on my level at all and that shows me how far Iโve come as a fighter and how much Iโve improved.โ
Q: Ideally, when would you like to box again?
T.K: โIโll fight whoever, whenever. I donโt have any specific date or name in mind. Iโm always in the gym, in shape, so Iโll see what opportunity comes. But I want to fight the best in the world. Itโs just a ring, with two men, and it doesnโt matter where the fight takes place. Iโll leave it to my manager, Pat [Nelson], who has steered me right this far. Weโll keep going the way weโre going and Iโll keep improving as a fighter.โ
Q: Were you at all bothered by what Dawson had to say, that the decision against him was B.S and that he was robbed?
T.K: โI have a lot of respect for Chad Dawson. He was probably frustrated at having lost. But like I said, I know in my heart that I won the fight. He might feel that way too, but I know I can put my head on the pillow and sleep well tonight.โ
Q: Would you fight him again?
T.K: โIf the fight made sense for my career, yes, I would.โ
Q: Finally, Tommy, you were a 25-1 underdog going into the fight! Did your friends have any bets on you?
T.K: โ(laughs) You know, after the fight, a few of my friends called me and said I was such a big underdog, but that they didnโt risk any money on the fight, even if they are my friends and all! But I was a huge underdog and the fight ended up being a major upset.โ