Q&A - Tommy Philbin

Following on from our recent David Brophy interview, we are delighted to have also spoken to fellow MGM Scotland fighter Tommy Philbin. He is also out on 5th December (this Saturday) on their Edinburgh Fight Night show and is expecting a tough fight. Read on to find out just how much effort goes into his daily routine and who is boxing hero is...

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

Tommy Philbin - I've been boxing for 16 years. I started when I was 9 because my dad was a big boxing fan and I was fighting quite a bit at school, so he suggested I start boxing. He always told me he was a boxer but I think that was just to get me into the sport. He passed away 5 years ago in January, I hope if he's watching over me I'm making him proud.

BBB - Who is your all-time boxing hero?

TP - My all-time boxing hero is Mike Tyson, he's an animal! I remember when I first started boxing I watched old videos of him and thought...I hope I never have to fight someone like him.

BBB - You had a successful amateur career, can you tell us a bit about that please?

TP - I had 108 amateur bouts winning 71. I won 12 eastern district titles, 4 Scottish titles (3 x junior 1 x senior) 1 Four Nations title and I boxed a few times abroad. My first amateur fight was at 37.5kg and my last was at 91kg. A fought a couple good names...Frank Buglioni twice and Callum Smith twice losing on points!

BBB - You’re scheduled to face Luke Allon on 5th December at Edinburgh. How is your camp going ahead of this fight?

TP - My camp’s been great for this fight! I've had brilliant sparring with Brian Forsyth and James Nelson. We've done tons of rounds together. Luke Allon fought at the last show against Brian and got a draw so I'm expecting a tough fight!

BBB - You're a full time fishmonger. Tell us a bit about that side of you, and how you manage your boxing training with full time work?

TP - My daily routine is...I start work at 4am and its in Perth, so I'm up at 2:45am leave at 3:15am then I finish at 1pm so I'm home for about 2pm. Quick shower bite to eat, spend 15 mins playing with my 2 kids Charlie and Annabella then out the door to training for half 3 till half 5. Get home at the back of 6 then I spend time with my fiancée Lauren and kids while I have my tea, then go out a run at night. I'm really lucky that Lauren is so supportive, it makes things much easier! It's a really tough schedule but boxing is a tough sport so there's no easy way, I'm prepared to do anything to make it.

BBB - You’re 1-0 in the paid ranks. What are the major differences you have noticed so far in comparison to the amateurs?

TP - One of the major differences for me is I have a long camp so I’ll always be ready when the fight comes. In the amateurs I just trained when I could and sometimes fights came and I wasn't as fit as I could have been. And another big difference is the gloves, they are tiny. When you get hit you really feel it!

BBB - You're managed by MGM Scotland, how pleased are you to be looked after by them? Do you believe your career is in the best possible hands?

TP - MGM are new on the scene but already they're proving they are, if not the top, one of the top teams out there! They are getting regular shows and they've brought pro boxing back to Edinburgh.

BBB - You train at Lochend BC. Tell us a bit about the team there and how important they are to your success?

TP - I can't thank Lochend BC enough for all the hard-work, time, effort and help they have given me since I moved there in 2008. They changed me as a boxer. Terry never changes anyone's style, he always works on the individual’s strength and improves them! What a team we have with Terry, Eric, Jackie and everyone else that plays a part at Lochend.

BBB - Do you watch much boxing in your spare time? What has been your favourite fight of 2015?

TP - Yeah I'm always watching boxing when I have the chance. I love Saturday night boxing. If I can't watch it live I record it and watch it when I have the time. I thought the [Carl] Frampton fight over in Texas was brilliant. He did brilliantly to come back after getting dropped a couple of times early on.

BBB - And finally, which Scottish boxer (apart from yourself) should we keep an eye on in 2016?

TP - I'm going to say my ‘neebur’ Stephen Tiffany, he’s so naturally talented that the way he throws 5 and 6 shots seems effortless. He's one to watch in the featherweight division in 2016.

Massive thanks to Tommy and his team at MGM Scotland for such a detailed account. We are greatly looking forward to covering the event and will be releasing a preview soon.

#MGM #Scotland #Philbin #Brophy #December