PZ: Firstly – congratulations on becoming a father recently! How’s the little one doing?
VK: He’s growing up quick! 13 weeks old and everyday he seems to be getting bigger and bigger.
PZ: How long before he gets to wear the boxing gloves?
VK: Pretty soon I reckon. He’s already got his jab up!
PZ: How did you get into boxing?
VK: I was working with my dad and one of the guys he works with had a son who boxed and I started up with him. We became best mates. Tragically though he passed away in a motorbike accident very recently.
I was about 14 years old when I started boxing.
PZ: Anybody else in your family ever boxed?
VK: Nobody.
PZ: Tell us about your amateur career.
VK: I started with Canvey ABC. I had 27 fights with them and won 21. I started in the juniors and then soon after went into the seniors. I had two semi finals in the novices, but my focus for a while had always been with the pros. I couldn’t wait to turn pro!
PZ: We were scheduled to have this interview last year but then you needed an eye operation, and everything was put on hold. Tell us about how this affected your morale and also how the operation went.
VK: It affected my morale pretty badly. I was half way through my training camp, training really hard with Kev (Campion), and all of a sudden you get told you can’t box. It takes a big effect on you. After boxing for seven years and then being told to stop was devastating. I sat down with Kev and he mentioned about getting eye laser treatment, but the first thing that came to mind was money, but I was very lucky because my dad helped me out and I manage to get the treatment done.
The operation went well. I had a bit of trouble with my left eye after, but it sorted itself out. They say I have 20/20 vision now, whereas I was -3 in my left eye and -4 in my right eye. To be honest mate it’s amazing and still hard to believe it worked and worked so well.
I no longer need to punch the man in the middle anymore!
PZ: You are fighting on the 23rd March in Camden against an unknown opponent as yet. How excited are you about making your debut?
VK: All my mates and fans who didn’t get the chance to see me before because of my eyes are now texting me everyday and asking how the training is going. It’s creating a real buzz for me and I can’t wait to show everybody what I’m made of.
PZ: Tell us about more about the team around you…
VK: Me and Kev met over Facebook. He was training locally to where I live and we started training soon after. He’s a great guy and we have a good laugh also. I’m lucky t have some great sponsors looking after me. One of the companies who sponsors me is a BR Rail who I work for and they have been fantastic. My mum sponsors me through her dog breading firm, and my dad’s company also sponsors me. My family have been great. They have supported me through the amateurs and now they are following me in the pros. I’m a lucky guy.
My other sponsors include BJD Buildings, Boeseboxer, Mandr Lighting and GBN Services.
Mickey Helliet Promotes me and has done a great job so far.
PZ: Kevin Campion looks to be firmly on track to be best emerging trainer at the moment. How much of an influence has he been on you in boxing?
VK: Kev started the way I started from the bottom and has had to graft to get where he is now. He’s now got Dean Powell working the corners with him and is also part of the Calzaghe Camp reality TV show coming out soon. He’s working with the best people and that’s making him a better coach every day, which consequently means I benefit also!
PZ: 23rd March is your pro debut. What has Kevin Campion been doing to move you away from your amateur style?
VK: A lot of the work has been to do with movement as opposed to the amateurs where I was focusing more on straight shots. Now I’m keeping the head moving and turning into my shots to generate more power, and twisting the punch more to make each one more effective. Less tap and moving, it’s more about trying to knock the opponent out now!
PZ: What are your strengths as a boxer?
VK: My punching power.
PZ: What are your weaknesses?
VK: Wouldn’t like to say in case my opponent is watching!
PZ: How’s the training camp going for the 23rd?
VK: Going really well. Kev got me training in the barn in Burnham Rocky style, and I’m getting my fitness back up by running every morning and training with my dad in the afternoons for more fitness and then focusing in on the boxing in the evening with Kev.
PZ: Who will you be sparring in advance of your debut?
VK: Not to sure as yet. One of the lads who won a recent Prizefighter has been mentioned. Looking forward to it. Kev has many connections with the likes of Jimmy and Mark Tibbs, so I’m sure the sparring will be of a good quality.
PZ: Tell us a bit about where your name originates from.
VK: My dad’s German. I was actually born over there and came over when I was about three years old. My mum is English.
PZ: Where would you like to be in two years time with your boxing?
VK: There’s no rush at the moment. We will all sit down and talk about it and whatever heights I can get to with my ability I will be happy with. Hopefully in about 18 months I could be looking at a crack at the Southern Area Title and then six months after that perhaps an English or British Title.
PZ: Any boxing nicknames?
VK: Me and the missus have always had me as Bam Bam – and she’s Pebbles!
PZ: Tell us one thing about yourself not many people know.
VK: I boxed in New York at the Times Square BB Kings against a lad called Patrick Day, who qualified for the London 2012 Olympics. One other thing hot of the press – I’ve had a media company just contact me about sponsorship, called ESG Media. They want to do a 12 month documentary on me turning pro.
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend, who would it be?
VK: Ricky Hatton.
To follow Vinz on Twitter @vinboxer