PZ: How did you get into boxing?
JLD: My granddad used to take me and my brother Travis down the gym when we were about 11. We were that sort of age where we would be hanging around the streets, so he wanted to give us a focus. As soon as I started training I knew that I wanted to get in the ring and fight.
PZ: Your brother won the English title on the 22nd March. How proud are you of him?
JLD: Over the moon. He’s deserved that title 100% as he put in the hard work. I was very proud.
PZ: You are looking to defend your British title for the third time on
The 29th March. How much will it mean to you to win the coveted Lonsdale Belt outright, but also to be the first person in Tyneside to do so?
JLD: It means the world to me. Not just making history, but the Lonsdale belt is something I’ve wanted since I was old enough to understand the importance of it – which was when I was about 13 years old. That’s what I want to achieve and that’s what I intend to do on Saturday.
Everybody wants to win a Lonsdale belt, as everybody knows how hard it is to get one! At this stage of my life, to keep that belt for the rest of my life would be as big as winning a world title.
PZ: You are fighting Neil Dawson on the 29th. Tell me what you know about him?
JLD: I seen a bit of him. He comes for a fight and leaves everything in the ring. He’s a dangerous character, especially early on who comes with a ‘hit or be hit’ attitude. I know it’s not going to be an easy night, and I can’t make any mistakes – but if I take my A game to the ring I can’t see him beating me.
PZ: How’s the training camp gone for this one?
JLD: It’s gone great. I’ve been doing a lot more sessions than I normally would and upped my training. I’ve pushed myself to the limits for this fight and certainly couldn’t have done anymore than I have done.
PZ: Tell me a little bit about the team around you.
JLD: Me and my brother are from Gateshead and are managed by Fighting Chance promotions and are part of the Fighting Chance pro boxing stable. My training, strength and conditioning is done by Ronnie, Gary and Martin Newton. A great team.
PZ: Assuming you win on Saturday, where would you like to be in 12 months time in your boxing career?
JLD: For the last few years all I’ve focussed on is the Lonsdale belt. Once I’ve got this out of the way I’m looking at getting different goals and having a go at Europe and the world. In 12 months time my dream would be to fight for a world title.
PZ: Any British cruiserweights you would like to fight at present?
JLD: Once I get rid of Neil Dawson on Saturday, I’ve kind of cleaned up domestically in the division. I’ve won the Prizefighter, the Northern Area belt, the English belt, the British. I’ve done it the hard way. Perhaps I could fight Tony Conqeust for the Commonwealth belt?…as long as the money is right! It comes down to the options placed in front of me now.
PZ: Who wins the Groves/Froch rematch?
JLD: I fancy Groves. I think he was robbed last time, but I think the public was robbed more than anyone because the decision was cut short. Although it’s going to be another tough fight, I think a possible Grove stoppage could be on the cards. I just can’t see where Froch can improve on to beat him, whereas Groves moves quick, hits hard and seems that bit sharper. I’m going to see the fight with my brother. Looking forward to it.
PZ: Any boxing nicknames?
JLD: No. My name is long enough as it is!
PZ: The abbreviation for your name is JLD – which is not far off JLS…….but maybe you don’t want to go down that route.
JLD: Ha!!!
PZ: Tell the readers one thing about yourself which not many people know.
JLD: Not many people know this, but I don’t like the dark. I go through the house switching lights on before I leave the room. I’m never in a dark room!
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend, who would it be?
JLD: Mohamed Ali.
Full photo copyright to Steven White
