PZ: How did you get into boxing and how old were you?
SS: I was 11 years old. The estate I lived on was pretty rough and I kept on having fights, so my mum took me and my brother down to the boxing gym one day to get us disciplined and then my dad starting taking us and that was it really.
PZ: Any other members of your family who boxed?
SS: Just me! My brother started at the same time as me but then went down the martial arts route.
PZ: Tell me about your amateur career.
SS: I was really into boxing when I started and tapered off a little bit between the age of 14 – 16. Then I started boxing for England and it all picked up again and have loved it ever since.
PZ: Toughest pro fight so far?
SS: I’d probably say David Price. Chisora was a tough fighter, but I wasn’t well prepared for him in all honesty. Price is the only one to put me over, so I’d have to credit him with the hardest punch.
PZ: What do you know about Peter Erdos?
SS: He looks the part and is a tough fighter. He certainly gave Gary Cornish a good test. He’ll be awkward and will come to fight.
PZ: How’s the training camp going for this fight?
SS: It’s been going well. In all honesty, we train like we’ve been training for a world title for each fight. The sparring has been good.
PZ: Who have you been sparring with?
SS: I’ve been sparring with Wladimir Klitschko. He’s a very nice fella – very down to earth guy who interacts with everyone. He doesn’t take any liberties in the ring, but you need to be on the ball when sparring with him as he doesn’t go light. When I arrived there was a large group of sparring partners, but by the time I left, I was only one of two to stay the full camp. The others were sent home injured.
PZ: Tell me a bit more about the team around you.
SS: My trainer is Graham Everett. He’s the same trainer I’ve had since about 13 years old and the gym is at the back of the estate I grew up in Norwich. I walked in to this pro gym and it was convenient in terms of location, but it soon became apparent that it was perfect in terms of training regime. Graham is a terrific trainer and I owe him a lot.
PZ: Your best assets as a boxer?
SS: I’d say I’m a fairly good mover for a heavyweight and I throw a good quantity of punches. As I’m getting older, I’m getting more aggressive with my style though.
PZ: You are currently rated as Number 8 in the UK. Where would you like to be in 12 months time in terms of rankings and titles?
SS: The ideal answer would be Number 1, but realistically, I’d be happy at this point to be British champion. I’d like the Lucas Browne fight. He’s a big puncher, but in terms of boxing I don’t think he’s really fought anybody he’s given him a decent test yet.
PZ: No boxing nicknames?
SS: No. There’s a guy at the gym who calls me the Sextanator, but that’s one I’m not adopting!
PZ: Tell the readers one thing about yourself which not many people know.
SS: I have a superstition that I have to put my right glove on first. I’ve even gloved up to spar before and realised my left glove was put on first and asked to have both taken off and to start again with the right!
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend, who would it be?
SS: It would have to be Mohamed Ali in his prime.
The 26th June will also see exciting two weight Masters champion Nathan Dale fighting, and Billy Bird – and unbeaten prospect who also happens to be the cousin of Lee Purdy. Please read the flyer below for further details.
