NATHAN LEESON
PZ: Tell me how you first got into boxing.
NL: I used to get into a lot of trouble when I was younger. I was a bit of a tearaway and ended up doing a short stretch in prison for ABH. In brief – a man had beaten up his missus and I couldn’t let that happen, and ended up beating him up. The consequence was a nine month sentence.
When I came out of prison I decided to channel my energy into something more constructive. Something which could create a brighter and more positive future for me. That happened to be boxing.
PZ: Talk me through your amateur career.
NL: I started boxing at the age of 20 and by 21 I had my first amateur bout. I then went on to have 15 amateur fights, only losing twice. The first time I got to the Midlands final and lost to a guy called Marcus French, and then I reached the national quarter finals the next year and lost to a guy who went on to win the National championship.
I then did something silly. I took part in an unlicensed bout at a local gym, and consequently got banned from amateur boxing.
PZ: Talk me through your Queensbury career to date.
NL: After having a few unlicensed bouts, I was tired of being on the bad end of a few ‘home’ decisions, and had heard of how fair Queensbury was, and decided to give it a go.
I went down for the initial sparring and they must have liked me, because they put me in for the British title against Gareth Gardner. I assumed I could just go in there and perform like I had for my previous fights, and ended up suffering a loss. Albeit, against a very good opponent!
I’ve consequently gone on to fight a number of other very good opponents such as Adam Wilks and Michael McPherson and managed to beat them.
PZ: How’s the training camp been going?
NL: I’m training a fair bit at Northampton Amateur Boxing Club, as that gym has pretty much made me the fighter I am today. I have been sparring with high paced, tall range boxers, who are talented light heavyweights, and have been working on sitting on my punches more and generating greater power. The camp has been good!
PZ: I’m interviewing Dan straight after you, and I’m sure he will have some interesting things to say about you. Any messages you want to pass on to him and his fans?
NL: I would like to firstly send out my respect to him and his fans. However – come fight night, he’s in big trouble! I think he’s underestimated me, and thinks he’s going to be able to sit back and beat me with his jab. There’s more to me than that though.
If I have to be honest, I wasn’t impressed with his last fight, so hopefully he’s learnt a few new tricks since then!
PZ: Why do you think Queensbury League Boxing works so well as a concept?
NL: The fights are 50-50. It’s a fair fight system, which on the whole works very well. Of course, there’s the odd occasion where it might look like a bit of a mismatch, but on the whole they get it right with the matchmaking, and that is extremely important for both fighter and spectator.
Fighters are genuinely able to walk into the ring thinking, ‘I’ve got a chance to win this.’ That’s a great feeling to have. Boxers who fight are predominantly there to concentrate on a victory first and foremost, not a pay cheque.
PZ: Describe the atmosphere at Queensbury League Boxing compared to what you experienced at amateur level.
NL: On the night of the fight it’s crazy! Even just thinking about it is making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The amateur league fights bring a certain atmosphere in terms of the crowd cheering, but Queensbury is levels above.
One thing I have distinctly noticed on every Queensbury show is that nobody boos the fighters. The level of respect from everybody inside and outside that ring is incredible.
PZ: Tell us one thing about yourself which not many people know.
NL: I’ll tell you one thing people do know. I’m going to be the champ!
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend, who would it be?
NL: Mike Tyson. Mohamed Ali would be too hard to hit, so we’ll leave him out of the way!
DAN MAGUIRE
PZ: Tell us how you first got into boxing.
DM: When I was about 12 years old I boxed for about one year. My dad took me down Eltham Boxing Club, and then I gave up. Then at the age of 16 my dad took me down to Bexley ABC, and I enjoyed it far more this time round and stuck with it.
PZ: Talk me through your amateur career.
DM: I had my first amateur bout soon after turning 17 as a young senior. Most of my early amateur fights were at Bexley ABC, with my dad also training me during that time. I had about 30 bouts there.
Then I went to Orpington ABC, St Gerards and the Nemesis.
In total I had 41 fights and lost about 10. During that time I boxed in the ABA’s three times, and captained London three times. At one point, I beat the No. 3 in the Four Nations, who was a top army boxer.
PZ: I believe you have been chosen as a last minute stand in to replace Danny Shannon. Having only fought once within Queensbury how equipped do you feel to take this fight?
DM: I am more than just equipped to take on this fight. I’m skilled, prepared and ready to win. The experience I’ve had at amateur level puts me in really good stead, but at the end of the day, a boxing match for me is a boxing match, regardless of who I’m fighting, at what level and under whichever rules.
PZ: How’s the training camp been going?
DM: I always prepare 100% for every bout and this one is no exception. I’ve been getting high quality training with the pros down at the ibox Gym in Bromley, with the likes of Bradley Skeete, John Garton, Ricky Boylan etc, and also my stablemate Lloyd Richards. My dad Wayne has been taking care of my coaching. I owe him a big thank you.
PZ: I’ve just interviewed Nathan Leeson. He had some interesting things to say about you. Any messages you want to pass on to him and his fans?
DM: I have nothing in particular to say. I’m not really into trash talking. I hope he’s 100% prepared and fit, because it’s going to be a very difficult and awkward night for him.
PZ: Why do you think Queensbury League Boxing works so well as a concept?
DM: The level of boxing is very competitive, the atmosphere is fantastic, and you get to fight in front of live TV, by way of Eurosport.
PZ: If an amateur boxer was considering to try out the Queensbury Boxing League, why would you recommend it to them?
DM: It’s a great step up from amateur, and an excellent stepping stone to a professional career. For those not looking to turn pro though, it’s a great level to be competing at, with no head guards, TV cameras, and mad crowd action.
PZ: Tell us one thing about yourself which not many people know.
DM: I have half a finger missing! I lost it in an accident many years ago climbing over a fence. It hasn’t affected my boxing thankfully!
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend, who would it be?
DM: I’ll throw a curveball in there. I’d say Bernard Hopkins as he should have been retired many years ago! So he’s technically past and present. If Bernard wasn’t available then Sugar Leonard.
