PZ: How did you get into boxing?
BS: My dad used to box when I was a kid, but I lived with my mum, and she decided to take me to the gym when I was about seven years old and it went from there really. That was Spennymoor Boxing gym by the way!
PZ: You had a highly decorated career as an amateur. Tell us about more about this…
BS: I won my first schoolboy title at the age of 11, and after that I won a title every single year for the next four years. I won my first British Title on the 7th May 1999. I won two School Clubs titles, two ABA titles, four nation titles, a senior ABA title, the junior Commonwealth Games, and beat a two time Olympic Champion to win the Presidents Cup. I won the Arena Cup and beat the two time Olympic Champion from Russia. There’s quite a few more titles, but I don’t want to take up too much of your time with my amateur days.
PZ: Unbelievable. Possibly one of the most decorated careers of any amateur around.
PZ: Bearing in mind your accolades at amateur, why did you then decide to turn pro so close to the 2012 Olympics in London?
BS: There was a few factors including people above me telling me to either move up or down in weights and not giving me clear vision, so when Frank Warren came with an offer, I took it. I just wanted to box, but I was starting to lose motivation. Signing up as a pro made me take boxing more seriously than ever in my life and I have started living a cleaner life, and putting my head down to achieving more and more.
PZ: This year’s Olympic GB Boxing Team has been praised as being one of the strongest in many years. The team from 2008 seem to have done pretty well with the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, yourself and David Price, not to mention Frankie Gavin who narrowly missed being part of the team. With the likes of Ogogo and Tom Stalker having turned pro, and heavy pressure being aimed at Anthony Joshua to turn pro, how do you think the class of 2012 will compare?
BS: The team this year was no better then that of 2008. If you look at Olympic history, 99% of the nations which compete in their own country tend to win more medals. Having the home crowd behind you and being in your own country always gives the edge. I sincerely believe that if you had taken the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, myself, David Price and Frankie Gavin into the 2012 competition, we might have won even more!
Not taking anything away from the lads in 2012 though. They did well and I wish them the very best in 2013.
PZ: Are the benefits of turning pro as good as they might have been in say 2004 when Amir Khan was fighting?
BS: The benefits are brilliant. As I said before, I was starting to get sick of the amateur boxing game between politics and various other restrictions and although I was number one in Britain for many years I had no goals and my ambition was deteriorating. No I’ve turned professional I have a number of goals and can’t wait to get in the ring with the next opponent. I’ve got my drive back.
PZ: You can tell that by the tone of your voice. I’m sure if I was to tell you that there’s an opponent waiting to face you tomorrow morning at 6am at the gym you would be there ready and waiting.
BS: I would run there flat out right now to take on the challenge! (PZ laughs!)
PZ: You are currently 5-0 with three of your fights ending by way of KO. You amassed all your wins last year in 2012. When and where will we see you fight next?
BS: Probably looking early May. Francis Warren may be able to get the fight in the North East, which would be a massive bonus. Being a North East boxer but never having fought in the North East means there’s another goal for me to achieve. Big groups have followed me to Glasgow and London, so when I fight on my home turf, the turnout should be electric.
PZ: Tell us a bit more about the team around you.
BS: I train with Peter Cope in Hartlepool, and then I also travel to Birmingham where I train with Ronnie Brown who does all my technique and drills. I’m very lucky as I get the best of both worlds. Dean Powell, Frank Warren’s right hand man is always there and helping in any way he can.
PZ: One year on as a pro, do you still possess any of the amateur style in you?
BS: Yes and no. As an amateur I used to hit very hard, but was also hard to hit. I’ve been able to adapt fairly easily.
PZ: Bearing in mind your boxing pedigree, where would you like to be in 12 months time?
BS: Ideally knocking on the door of fighting for a British title. I just hope I can be injury free. I’ve been fighting at welterweight just to get the fights, but I really want to progress as a light welter. I don’t care who I fight. As long as they have a title I want, that’s the person I want to fight.
PZ: One of my pet hates is the alphabet soup of world titles out there. The Super Six Tournament which Andre Ward won was a breath of fresh air, as the best of a particular weight division laid it all on the line to prove their worth. Do we need more of these competitions?
BS: Definitely. The general public want to see the best, and there’s so many good fighters who are not world champions who could easily hold a title but are either not given the chance or simply don’t want to take on a Mickey Mouse title. We certainly need more competitions like this, because it gives the public what they want to see.
PZ: Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know.
BS: I’m very passionate and emotional.
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend, who would it be?
BS: Sugar Ray Leonard.
PZ: Big thanks for taking the time to speak with us Bradley and the very best for your future.
BS: Cheers mate.
Please follow Bradley Saunders career on Twitter @BradSaunders_