Nick ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell (19-3-1, 8 KOs), is a 25-year-old boxer from Trowbridge. He is the current British Middleweight champion. I spoke to Nick at trainer Gary Lockett’s gym in Cardiff, about his career and upcoming British title defence against Chris Eubank Jr, on 26th March, 2016 at Wembley Arena, London. The fight will be live on Channel 5 in the UK.
Ringnews24.com: How did you get into boxing?
Fitness really. Always wanted to be a boxer, mum would never let me. A gym opened down our way, I lived with my dad and he let me go. I was sixteen when I started.
Ringnews24.com: What was your amateur background?
I didn’t have any amateur background. I had eighteen unlicensed fights/semi-pro. I won all eighteen, sixteen by stoppage. It was good. Basically fighting people 2/3 stone heavier than me and I was still a kid. Ten ounce gloves, no headguard, so it was like I was fighting pro.
Ringnews24.com: Who are your favorite fighters?
Roy Jones Jr, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Arturo Gatti. Nigel Benn cos he got stuck in. Floyd Mayweather is a good boxer but quite boring to watch, I prefer watching people like Carl Froch cos they get stuck in.
Ringnews24: How long have you been with trainer Gary Lockett?
Over a year and everything’s starting to come together, at the right time. Fighting Eubank, so it needs to come together, as he’s a good fighter. Get on well with the lads here, we’re bringing each other on. Good sparring just in the gym. It’s good.
Ringnews24.com: Best win of your career?
John Ryder; a lot of people thought I wasn’t going to win. For me, it was a make or break fight, as I’d had two goes at the British title before. I’d say John Ryder underestimated me a little bit. He was outboxing me. I’d only had two months with Gary [Lockett], so still the old Nick Blackwell but I still got the win, so the best win of my career so far.
Ringnews24.com: Toughest fight in your career?
Sergey Khomitsky just because I wasn’t mentally right, I’d overtrained. On the night, I was meant to do eight rounds but it got changed to six. We were in the ring staring eachother out for ten minutes until they sorted it. Mentally wasn’t right, credit he’s a tough boy. It was a draw but I won by a round. One more round, I would’ve stopped him and put a big statement out there. He was spitting his gumshield out, I hurt him with body-shots. I think he thought, he was going to get me out of there but I stood there, took everything he had for two, or three rounds, and he got tired and I got on top. It was what it was.
Ringnews24.com: How are you a different fighter since the Billy Joe Saunders fight (in 2012)?
I think back then I wasn’t very good at closing the ring down, I wasn’t throwing my shots. Now I can close the ring down much better and throw my shots. I’m doing it in the gym just gotta do it on the night.
Ringnews24.com: How do you feel you’ve improved in the last few years?
A lot. I’m learning every week. Before, I felt I was going backwards – I wasn’t actually learning anything. Learning from all the lads and obviously Gary as well. I’ve learnt loads. I’ve just got to bring it all together on fight night.
Ringnews24.com: Did the John Ryder win give you more exposure?
Yeah, definitely. My name never really got mentioned in the middleweight division. People saw me as a gatekeeper to the British title and a sparring partner. I could’ve gone down that route but got involved with Mick Hennessy, met Gary and now I’ve got a good team behind me.
Ringnews24.com: What are your thoughts on your last fight?
I didn’t box great at all, went in with an injury. My last two fights, I shouldn’t really have been in there. It was an entertaining fight to watch. Gary was annoyed, I was annoyed with myself. Made it a harder night than it should’ve been, it should’ve been an easier night’s work. Fair play to Jack Arnfield, no disrespect to him.
Ringnews24.com: Next opponent is Chris Eubank Jr. How do you rate him as a fighter?
He’s a good fighter. He’s quick, explosive, but I don’t think he’s fought anyone like me yet, I’m gonna put him in places he’s never been before. I’m going to go in there, hurt him and stop him. I think he’s a bit of a hype job, he’s a good fighter but Billy Joe Saunders beat him and made him look average. Spike O’Sullivan fought him, he got caught by Spike. Spike’s a hard puncher but not the fastest and he was getting caught. Eubank showed he’s got a good chin but he showed a lot of flaws and strengths. It’s going to be a good fight.
Ringnews24.com: What did you think of the Eubank vs O’Sullivan fight?
I don’t think Eubank is the best technical boxer in the World, he likes to get involved. Throws his shots with bad intentions, loads up with shots. He fought Spike’s game for two or three rounds and then went into his own.
Ringnews24.com: Why has Eubank moved back down from being a WBA ‘interim’ champion to challenging for a British title?
He obviously doesn’t think he’s ready for a World title, so he’s come down to fight for the British title. Which I think is a bad move cos he could’ve lost for a World title, he wouldn’t beat Daniel Jacobs (WBA champion). Now he’s going to fight me, for the British, and lose the British, so where does he go from there.
Ringnews24.com: How do you see the fight going?
I think the first four or five rounds are going to be tough, it’s going to be a toe-to-toe war. Then he’s going to get tired and I’m gonna get on top of him. I know he’s a fit boy but against Spike he was blowing out of his arse after six rounds – I’m a fifteen round fighter. I get stronger as I go on. I’ve got a good game plan and I think it’s work on the night.
Ringnews24.com: Once you beat Eubank, what are your goals for 2016?
Keep on progressing and learning. Keep winning and stay in shape. Whatever Mick wants me to do, European route or possibly a World title fight. I’m still young, I don’t need rushing into stuff. Take each fight as it comes, I’m not looking past Eubank – I gotta be 110% on the night, so not looking past that.
Ringnews24: Message to the fans?
Ringnews24: Grab tickets and watch me beat-up Eubank Jr., on March 6th. I think the box office is sold out but you can still get some tickets through the fighters.
You can get tickets from Nick Blackwell, by getting intouch with him on his Twitter account @nickblackwell02
