Nantymoel prospect Danni Griffiths dreams of one day emulating compatriot Enzo Maccarinelli by winning a version of the world cruiserweight title.
The 18-year-old has made a good start on his voyage, capturing six Welsh junior titles and aligning with Tony Borg’s high-flying St Joseph’s stable in Newport where he trains alongside British champions Garry Buckland and Lee Selby.
On Saturday evening, he kickstarts his pro innings at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena in a four round contest against another pro-debutant in Plymouth’s Courtney Richard.
Last Saturday, boxing writer Glynn Evans caught up with him.
Remaining tickets are available from the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Box Office on 02920 224 488 or Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk
Watch the whole ‘Red Mist’ event – headlined by the unmissable WBO World Light-Heavyweight collision between Nathan Cleverly and unbeaten Russian KO king Sergey Kovalev, plus Gary Buckland’s British Super-Featherweight title defence against Stephen Smith and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Ovill McKenzie’s rematch against Enzo Maccarinelli – live and exclusive in the UK on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) from 7pm. Join at www.boxnation.com
Name: Danni Griffiths
Weight: Cruiserweight
Born: Bridgend
Age: 18
Family background: I’ve one older step brother and three older step sisters. My dad Clive, who I live with in Nantymoel, was a former amateur boxer and my granddad ran the Ogmore Valley Boxing Club.
Trade: I’m a full-time boxer but I’ve got a personal trainer diploma from college.
Nickname: I’ve not thought of one just yet. I will.
What age did you become interested in boxing and why? When I was just four, I was getting bullied by a boy so my dad started taking me up the boxing gym to toughen me up and I just stuck at it. Ironically, me and the lad who was troubling me are good friends now.
What do you recall of your amateur career? I always boxed for the Gilfach Goch ABC where I was coached by Justin Whitter and a guy I’ve only ever known as ‘Cossy’. I started to spar at the age of nine and had my first amateur contest at ten.
All told, I had 34 bouts and I won 29 of them. I won six Welsh junior titles and once got to the final of the British where I lost to James Branch from the Repton club. The highlight of my amateur time was probably knocking out a lad from Llanelli to win the Welsh Youth final when I was about 17. I never entered the senior ABAs. By then, I’d started training at Tony Borg’s pro gym.
I must have represented Wales about ten times. I beat the Swedish champion to win a gold medal at the Tammer Youth tournament in Finland. I also beat the Irish junior champion Michael Gallagher who was a good boy.
I had an assessment to join the GB squad up at the English Institute for Sport up in Sheffield but they wanted me to lose too much weight. I was weighing around 81 kilos and they wanted me to drop to 70. I was only 16 and felt it was too much so I turned the opportunity down.
Why did you decide to turn pro when you did? Once (national coach) Tony Williams left the Welsh amateur system, I don’t think I was treated very well, never picked for anything decent. Nothing was happening for me in the amateurs so I started to spar with all the top pros; guys like Enzo Maccarinelli, Dean Francis and Dorian Darch. I was competing alright against them so decided I must have a future in the pro ranks.
Tell us about your back up team: I’m managed by Dean Powell, promoted by Frank Warren Promotions and trained by (ex pro) Tony Borg at the St Joseph’s gym in Newport.
Tony’s the best coach I’ve ever been with. Top class, very professional. He gives me loads of new advice and tips and everything I try works out. When I started out with him, I couldn’t get my own way in sparring but now I’m usually coming out on top. There’s been huge improvement. I’m stronger, quicker and I’ve got my weight right. I do the weights myself but other than that, Tony takes care of everything.
What’s your training schedule? Which parts do you most and least enjoy? For my debut on Saturday, I’ll have trained hard for a good seven weeks.
I’m up at nine, have a big bowl of porridge, then land at the gym for around 11. I’ll start off with some stretches and shadow boxing, then do about eight on the bags. Next, I’ll do about three on the pads with Tony and he’s absolutely awesome, just like Roger Mayweather is, when he’s working with Floyd. After that, I’ll do my circuits and finish off with more shadow boxing. I really love training.
My favourite part is when I get to spar. That’s when I feel I’m learning and improving the most. I’m not too keen on the circuits. I train mostly with lighter boys like (British champions) Garry Buckland and Lee Selby and it’s hard for me to keep up but I’m getting there. I particularly hate burpees.
Describe your style? What are your best qualities? I’m orthodox and try to stay as ‘side on’ as I can because that makes me harder to hit. I can mix it up if I need to but, being 6ft 3in tall, I’m definitely more of a boxer. My jab would be my biggest strength. I stopped about 12 in the amateurs so I’ve decent enough power.
What specifically do you need to work on to fully optimise your potential as a fighter? Fitness is always the key. The fitter you are, the better you are. Though I’m just fighting a four rounder on Saturday, I’ll have trained for six. I know I’m capable of going four very hard rounds.
What have you found to be the biggest difference between the pro and amateur codes? The amateurs pick points, the pros is more of a fight where you try to wipe out your opponent. They’re very different sports.
Who is the best opponent that you’ve shared a ring with? It’d have to be Enzo Maccarinelli because he’s a former world champion.
Enzo’s a better boxer than people realise and I learn a lot from him. He never takes liberties but sometimes lets a few big ones go to the body. Dean Francis was also very sharp. The hardest spars I have are with a guy called Lloyd Davies. He’s very strong.
All time favourite fighter: Floyd Mayweather. His defence is just amazing.
All time favourite fight: It’d be the Gatti-Ward trilogy. Non stop slugging.
Which current match would you most like to see made? Not sure. From the past, I’d have loved to have seen Floyd Mayweather against Sugar Ray Leonard and Mayweather would’ve won. He never loses.
What is your routine on fight day? Sleep. Relax 100%. This time I have to weigh-in on the day. Hopefully, I’ll be able to have a bowl of porridge before. After the scales, I’ll eat some pasta.
I’ll chill out with my dad and his girlfriend or listen to music. I try very hard not to speak about the fight until I get to the arena. Then I get my ‘attitude’ on.
In the changing room, I’ll stretch, do some shadow boxing and some pads to get warm. I’m actually very calm, composed and controlled.
Entrance music: ‘Here Comes the Boom’ by Nelly.
What are your ambitions as a boxer? To be a champion by the time I’m 23.
How do you relax? I like to chill out with friends and go for a few drinks. I enjoy go-karts. I used to play rugby but stopped because I can’t risk any injuries.
Football team: I’m not a huge supporter but I root for Liverpool when they’re on the tele.
Read: Just anything to do with boxing.
Music: A bit of dance and rap.
Films/TV: I like comedies films, such as Superbad. On TV, I watch Man v Food, The Valleys and Geordie Shore.
Aspiration in life: To move to Las Vegas and become a boxing commentator.
Motto: We don’t get tired, we get paid! Adrien Broner says it.