Interview with cruiserweight Shane McPhilbin
Ringnews24.com: How did you get into boxing and what age did you start going to the gym?
Shane McPhilbin: I got into boxing through my family. My dad ran Bulwell ABC for many years and my 3 older brothers boxed there so I went down when I was 9 and joined in.
Ringnews24.com: What was your amateur record and did you win anything as an amateur boxer?
Shane McPhilbin: I had 46 amateur fights and won 30. I was a novice class B finalist and open class semi finalist.
Ringnews24.com: What has been the best piece of advice that you’ve had in your career so far?
Shane McPhilbin: The best advice I’ve ever had was to be the best I can be and I’ll have achieved something.
Ringnews24.com: You lost two of your first four fights as a pro. Did that affect your confidence or make you more determined to succeed?
Shane McPhilbin: Well, my first loss was in my second fight which everyone said I should have won. I was in the away corner, so you know how it goes. My second loss was to Michael Sprott after only 3 fights so it wasn’t a major loss.
Ringnews24.com: You stopped British champion Leon Williams in the final round while behind on points. Going into the fight did you think a late stoppage might be on the cards?
Shane McPhilbin: I just kept trying. That’s all I could do and I got a second wind in the last round. I was so proud to be in the 12th round after having only 3 weeks’ notice and before that fight the most I had done was six two-minute rounds.
Ringnews24.com: Leon Williams won the British title controversially against Rob Norton. If you beat Maccarinelli in the rematch, would you give Norton a chance to win back the title?
Shane McPhilbin: I want to be the best I can be so to do that I will fight whoever Carl [Greaves] tells me to fight. I’m old fashioned like that. I won’t duck anyone and I’m not saying that in a cocky way but to be the best you gotta beat the best so if Carl says I’m fighting Norton next, I’ll fight him.
Ringnews24.com: The decision by the timekeeper to sound the bell 47 seconds too soon in round one of your British title defence against Enzo Maccarinelli was scandalous. Did you or your corner realise the bell had gone too soon?
Shane McPhilbin: Well, I thought something was up but you don’t really know because your head is just focused on the fight.
Ringnews24.com: Do you feel that you were cheated out of victory that night?
Shane McPhilbin: Well, everyone who watched it knows what they saw. I only had to hit him once more and that would have been that. But I got myself a rematch so I’ll try again.
Ringnews24.com: Is there a date for the return with Enzo?
Shane McPhilbin: I’m fighting him again on June 22nd at Wolves Civic Hall.
Ringnews24.com: Many people will look at that decision and consider it to have cost you the British title considering Maccarinelli seemed to be out on his feet. Is it frustrating knowing you have to do it all over again?
Shane McPhilbin: Yes, it is frustrating but that’s boxing and you have to just get on with it.
Ringnews24.com: Your stamina seems to be top notch considering you have been competitive against the likes of Maccarinelli and Williams over the full distance. Would you say your stamina is one of your key assets?
Shane McPhilbin: I wouldn’t say it’s a key asset. I’d say my main asset is my heart.
Ringnews24.com: You’ve achieved so much in just 11 fights. How far do you think you can go?
Shane McPhilbin: Well, I’m just taking it one fight at a time. I’m not going to run before I can walk.
Ringnews24.com: You’ve fought at heavyweight in the past. Do you think a move back up to heavyweight might happen one day or are you confident your future is at Cruiserweight?
Shane McPhilbin: For the time being I’m a cruiserweight but if a good fight pops up at heavyweight then I’d take it for sure.
Ringnews24.com: The Cruiserweight division has a lot of good fighters on the World stage. Who do you rate as the best in the division?
Shane McPhilbin: I would have to say [Denis] Lebedev and [Marco] Huck. They’re two good fighters with big hearts.
Ringnews24.com: If you had the choice to fight any of the World Champions in your next fight, which one would you chose and Why?
Shane McPhilbin: Lebedev or Huck for sure. I’d love to be able to step in the ring with fighters like this to see how I would get on.
Ringnews24.com: Numerous domestic level fighters have received World title fights in recent years. Do you think it’s a realistic goal for yourself to also aim for a World title shot in the near future?
Shane McPhilbin: Well, that’s what every boxer dreams of, one day being World champion, and hopefully one day I’ll get my shot.
Ringnews24.com: Thanks for doing the interview with us Shane and best of luck in your career.
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