Ringnews24.com: How did you get into boxing and what age did you start going to the gym?
My dad took me to a local boxing gym in Sweden when I was 12 and I was hooked. Moved to study in Turkey and when I moved back to Sweden at 15 I picked it up again and been doing it since.
Ringnews24.com: Do you have any short or long-term goals within the sport and if so, have you set yourself a timescale on reaching them?
As an amateur my goal was to go to the Olympics, which I did and as a professional I’m taking it one fight at a time but the European title as soon as possible and world titles in a close future are my goals.
Ringnews24.com: You have an impressive record of 17 wins and 1 draw from 18 fights, but what is your proudest moment in boxing?
Fighting on Swedish soil in front of Swedish fans for the first time was the greatest highlight in my pro career so far.
Ringnews24.com: What is the origin of your nickname “Can You Dig It?”? Does it have any special meaning?
People dig my fights so it’s only natural my nickname should be “Can You Dig It?”
Ringnews24.com: Who did you look up to growing up as a boxer – who was your idol?
Roberto Duran was a big influence together with Muhammad Ali and Rocky. I even drank raw eggs at 4 am in the mornings because sly did it.
Ringnews24.com: Who has been the biggest influence in your career so far?
I’ve walked my path alone, that doesn’t mean I’m lonely or didn’t get support. But I had to learn that you are your own boss and only you can make yourself achieve greatness. So the biggest influence in my career has been me.
Ringnews24.com: Do you watch any boxing at home and if so, which fighters most appeal to you?
I do occasionally; who I’m watching depends on what I want to see and what I’m looking for in a boxing fight. I watch a lot of Duran, Golovkin, Marquez and Pacquiao but I also like to find inspiration from fighters that doesn’t have a similar style to me like Mayweather and Sugar ray Leonard.
Ringnews24.com: Who is the toughest opponent you have fought to date?
The toughest fight I’ve had so far in my boxing career was with English Ryan Fields. That was 6 rounds of battling our hearts out. While I do think I made the fight considerably harder than I had to, I still remember that fight as one of the toughest and most fun.
Ringnews24.com: What is going on with your boxing career now – can you tell readers when, where and against whom you will be fighting next?
I moved to London this January and started training together with CJ Hussein at St Pancras Boxing Club. We’ve had two fights together and are most likely up for the European title next against Lenny Daws before this year ends. No date is set yet.
Ringnews24.com: Which current champion would you prefer to face for a world title shot, and what about your style makes you feel you can beat them?
I would love to fight Pacquiao just because I know it would be an entertaining fight but I would pick Terrance Crawford as he has the titles I want.
Ringnews24.com: Aside from boxing, do you have any hobbies or interests that you pursue?
I like to read and travel and I’m also very interested in languages, currently speaking 7 languages to some degree.
Ringnews24.com: Is there any names you would like to call out or fighters you would like to fight in 2017?
There is no use in calling out anyone. As long as I keep winning, my shots for the important fights will come.
Ringnews24.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
To all the fans: Can You Dig It?
