Q&A - David Brophy

Ahead of our coverage of the upcoming MGM Scotland Edinburgh Fight Night show this Saturday (December 5th), we spoke to the headliner himself, David Brophy. The Scottish Super-Middleweight from Caldercruix is looking for the 15th victory of his undefeated career against Tobias Webb so we were delighted to catch up with him before his big night.

British Boxing Blog - Tell us about your boxing background? How did you get in to the sport?

David Brophy – [I] first started boxing young, just for a laugh really and took to it like a duck to water. [I] was a successful junior boxer winner numerous Scottish titles and western district championships. [Then] also captained and represented my country in competition domestically and in other countries. [I] became a professional footballer from age 16 till about 19 then got back into boxing after a few serious injuries in football. I only had a handful of senior fights which I won then turned pro.

BBB - Who is your all time boxing hero?

DB - I loved to watch Joe Lewis but my all one favourite was [Mike] Tyson. Man was a one man wrecking ball!

BBB - How is your camp going ahead of your fight on December 5th?

DB - My camp has gone brilliantly! Boxers always say that but I honestly can say I've felt great all through this camp. Sparring has been quality and everything has gone smoothly in the gym. The hard work has been done.

BBB - You have a relatively late change of opponent (Tobias Webb replacing Charles Adamu) has this altered your preparations at all? Do you believe this is a tougher fight than the Adamu one?

DB - It has changed a bit as in the way I'll be fighting on the night. They have two totally different styles but these things happen in boxing and we play with the cards we are dealt. Adapting to these things are key! I do believe Tobias will be a tougher fight than Adamu. He will be hungry and coming to Scotland for the win, therefore making it a tough contest but a contest I'm very much confident and ready for what's coming.

BBB - Webb has been a domestic super middleweight fringe contender for a while and has been in with the likes of Rocky Fielding, Callum Smith and Liam Cameron. Do you feel that fighting him at this stage is a good measure of your progress so far? And what message will a win over Webb send to the rest of the division?

DB - Yes of course, Tobias is a good fighter and these domestic battles are what people want to see and what fighters need to progress in their careers. I respect any man, from champion to journeyman, that goes into a ring to fight and I mean no disrespect to previous opponents but a step up in quality is what brings the best out in people. My apprenticeship is done so it’s now time for these fights come.

BBB - We are coming up from Newcastle to Edinburgh to cover your fight. What can we expect from an Edinburgh Saturday night fight night?

DB - I expect a great show first of all in Edinburgh, stacked with talent. Sam Kynoch of MGM Scotland can really run a good show so it is a night everyone will enjoy. Expect a tough 10 round battle with me and Webb which will bring the best David Brophy anyone has seen to date.

BBB - You train under Billy Nelson, just how important is he to your development as a fighter and how highly do you rate him?

DB - I owe a lot to Billy Nelson. Billy has worked wonders with me so far and has took me well beyond anywhere I expected to be before starting in the pro game. Billy and I are sometimes like cat and dog in the gym but that's the reason it works somehow! Billy has also been a great friend outside the gym helping me through any problem I've ever come across from the smallest thing to bigger problems. We still have a long way to go as I've still got masses to learn, which I'm looking forward to.

BBB - The Super Middleweight division in the UK is a very healthy one - just how far away do you think you are from being alongside the main contenders?

DB - My career is on the right path so next year is a massive one for me to get in the race for domestic titles in, in my opinion, the hardest weight division in British boxing. My plan is to keep training hard as I always do, keep winning, keep learning and take the chances given to me when they come.

BBB - You’re managed by the guys at MGM. Tell us about your team there. Do you feel like your boxing career is in the best hands with their guidance?

DB - I've never felt better or more content than being signed under MGM. I do believe MGM Marbella and Sam Kynoch at MGM Scotland have my best interests at heart and I'm very appreciative of being in this position, with MGM, and taking the chances they make for me. As much as I believe boxing is an individual sport, a top team like MGM behind you allows you to look forward to the future and what it brings.

BBB - And finally, you train alongside Lewis Ritson, a fellow Geordie of ours and someone we rate very highly. How good do you think he is and how far do you think he can go?

DB - I reckon Lewis Ritson will have a major title in sight in the next 12 months. He's the real deal! He has quality boxing skills, a good engine, as tough as nails and a ‘canny lad’ as he says. Must have been the Scottish porridge while he's staying up here!