DAILY SPORT catches up with Welterweight Southern Area Champion Chas Symonds ahead of his bout with Bradley Skeete
PZ: Hi Chas. Just to clarify – is the bout on the 14th September between you and Bradley Skeete being commissioned as a ‘titled’ or ‘non-titled’ bout in relation to the Southern Area belt?
CS: This is not the right information, this bout is not going ahead.
PZ: You both come into the fight with good records, but Bradley is unbeaten to date. Does this worry you?
CS: Not in the slightest, if there was a bigger title on the line then I may be bothered to get out of bed for it and take his 0 off his record !
PZ: I interviewed Bradley very recently and he seems to be a nice guy. Had nothing bad to say about you. What’s your thoughts on trash talkers before a fight?
CS: Bradleys a nice guy, but he has only had 8 fights & I’ve had 22. I’ve had the belt twice now and now I’m looking to move on to bigger and better things.
PZ: What will be your tactics against Bradley and tell us how you see the fight going on the night?…
CS: No Comment
PZ: You openly admitted in the past falling foul of drinking to much and have a sneaky cigarette. It seems those days are long gone. Tell us about your training camp for this fight so far and what training you will do from now until the 14th September….
CS: No Comment
PZ: Who will you be sparring with in preparation for this fight?
CS: No Comment
PZ: If successful after Bradley, what are your ambitions? Perhaps the Engligh or British titles?
CS: I’m going for these titles anyway, If my manager Mick (Helliet) can get them for me then I will show Britain how good I am.
PZ: Tell us more about the gym you fight at and any idols you have in that gym.
CS: No Comment
PZ: Tell us more about the team around you. Who trains you, promotes you, manages you, sponsors you?
CS: Mick Helliet is my manager, Ian Burbridge Is my trainer & Simply Constructions & Beno Market & Seva Hotels are my sponsors.
PZ: You have won your last two fights convincingly and the last against Darryl Still resulted in you winning the Southern Area Title. Are you at the peak of your career at the moment. Is the best yet to come?
CS: No I’m not at my peak, I’m just getting warmed up.
PZ: Is it true you have hypnotherapy? How has this helped your boxing?
CS: Yes this is true, and yes it helps me believe in myself for my confidence and self esteem.
PZ: How did you get into boxing?
CS: When I was 10 years old, I got bullied and done it for self defence.
PZ: Any other family members who box?
CS: No.
PZ: Tell us about your amateur career.
CS: 50 bouts, lost 12, boxed for London, I’ve won the national and am a 3 time London Champion.
PZ: Any all time boxing idols?
CS: Aturo Gatti
PZ: Tell the readers one thing about yourself that not many people know….
CS: I’m A Mummy’s Boy.