Sport.co.uk meets...Michael Sprott
Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 29 September 2010 - 11:01
Author: Josh Antmann
With boxing currently taking a low blow from other sports, it is with much optimism that the Heavyweight Prizefighter series is soon upon us. Last year Audley Harrison was victorious in the event which has subsequently seen him propelled to a world title shot against David Haye. One man who will be featuring in Prizefighter on 9th October is former British and Commonwealth champion Michael Sprott. The 35 year-old from Reading is looking to get his career back on track after grasping defeat from the jaws of victory against the ‘A-Force’.
In an exclusive interview with Sport.co.uk he talks about Haye, Harrison and the unstoppable force that are the Klitschko brothers.
So Michael, the Prizefighter Series is almost upon us, do you think you’re the best fighter there?
Yeah I do. Although there are fighters in there like Matt Skelton, so it’s going to be tough.
Do you think victory in the Prizefighter could give you one last world title shot?
Yeah. I reckon I’ve got a good chance if I do. I may well have to go down the European title route and then hopefully onto a world title shot. But I’m just going to take it one step at a time.
Does Audley even deserve a title shot despite his poor performances?
Well yeah. I was beating him all that fight and then he caught me with that shot right at the end. He won it and when you win the European title then the next thing is a world title shot.
You’ve fought Audley twice, what do you see as his strengths?
Erm…erm…I don’t know. It’s hard to see many strengths there. Apart that he’s a strong believer on what he wants to achieve. He always aims high. He’ll always try and find that one shot from somewhere, like the one he caught me with. I’m not sure about anything else really, ha-ha. Probably it’s his ability to focus on what he wants to do.
What about his weaknesses?
His big weakness is if you attack him. I know he sometimes tries to counter punch you, but if you just keep at him and keep at him that’s his weakness. He’s got long arms and likes to fight long, you have to keep your nerve and just stay close. It’s hard for him to do anything then. You’ve got to really jump on him early.
Does David Haye have the power to make a career in the heavyweight division?
Yeah definitely. I’ve known David for years and I sparred with him when he was at Cruiserweight, and even then he was punching like a heavyweight. You saw what he did to John Ruiz and shook up Valuev in the last round. Definitely he’s got the power and can make it big in the heavyweight division.
Can Haye beat either of the Klitschko brothers?
He needs more time in the heavyweight division. Those Klitschko brothers are something very special, I haven’t seen anything like them before. They’re very scientific and go into a lot of detail in training and preparing for a fight. It would be hard for him to survive with them at the moment. As of right now I can’t see Haye beating them.
You mentioned that the Klitschko’s are scientific. How are they scientific?
They are so far ahead. Every aspect of the sport they study. They train how boxing should be. They don’t go for long runs; they might spar in the ring for 50 minutes. It’s hard to put a finger on it, but they just do everything so well. They might work on certain things, and watching them you might wonder what they’re doing but it’s all part of their routine.
Do you think the hunger and drive the Klitschko’s have is something British boxers can learn from?
If cameras were allowed to see them train, then fighters in this country would learn a lot from what these two supreme athletes do. Everything is down to science. Rumour has it that Vitali is going to have one more fight next year then retire. That’s what I’ve heard.
Is boxing in this country on the decline?
Slightly yeah. It’s not what it used to be. But it’s also down to the fact that 10 years ago there was a lot more TV coverage and a lot of radio. Nowadays it’s not really on TV anymore. If you ask someone who is the champion of the world, no one has a clue except for the people who follow the sport. If there was more coverage in the TV or in the papers then it might pick up again. Not everyone has Sky, and the people that do don’t want to pay extra to watch boxing.
Has the boom of UFC meant that boxing is taking a back seat?
I know that UFC is getting very big. Comparing a boxing match to a UFC match, the UFC one’s are much quicker and people seem to be attracted to that.
Would you recommend the yo-yo diet routines of Ricky Hatton to younger fighters looking to break into the sport?
I wouldn’t recommend that. It can change your whole career and it’s not good for your body. I always try to stay in good shape, I’m sometimes three pounds over but I never stray too far from my fighting weight. It’s so important to stay on top of your game both physically and mentally.
I can’t let you go Michael without a prediction for the Haye v Harrison bout...
I think it will be Haye inside five or six rounds. It’s not going to be a point’s thing, I know that.
You don’t think Harrison will take it twelve rounds?
Well even though I’ve just said Haye will win big, don’t be surprised if Audley causes an upset. He can pull a punch from nowhere and with Haye not having the best of chins I won’t be surprised if Audley can snatch it.
The Lonsdale sponsored event will be held on Saturday 9 October and is being promoted by Matchroom Sport. The fight night will be live on Sky Sports. Lonsdale has been the choice of boxing champions for over 50 years.
For further information on Lonsdale who are celebrating their 50th year head to www.lonsdaleboxing.co.uk