Q&A - Dan-Dan Keenan

Having spoken to his stablemate, Joe Vaughan, we were lucky enough to also speak to prospect Dan-Dan Keenan ahead of his pro debut next year. This lad is tipped to have a great future in the sport and gave us some terrifically detailed answers. It will be very interesting to see just how far he can go...

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

Dan-Dan Keenan - I've been fighting for the Dale Youth ABC since I was 11 years old. My dad first took me down there when I was 7 and I loved it! But I had to stop a couple of times because of football. I was playing for QPR [Queens Park Rangers] at the time so couldn't keep up with both training schedules at that age. Then went back down when I was 11 but again had to stop because I was playing for West Ham and then Wycombe Wanderers. I ended back down there just a few months later as I just couldn't keep away from the boxing gym. I still go down the gym regularly to train and I have to thank my trainer Gary McGuinness who's been like a father figure to me since I began boxing and has taught me everything I know today.

BBB - Who is your all-time boxing hero?

DK - My all-time boxing hero is Joe Calzaghe. I think primarily because his style is very similar to mine so I watch a lot of his tapes and try to implement that into my own game.

BBB - This week saw you sign a promotional deal with Goodwin Promotions. How pleased are you with this news?

DK - Yeah I'm still buzzing! I'm very thankful for all of the support I'm receiving from everyone and I cannot wait until March 19th

BBB - How highly do you rate Goodwin and the work he does on the London scene?

DK – Yes, very highly and they are growing stronger and stronger every day bringing through young, hungry fighters like myself and giving us the best opportunity to achieve.

BBB - You're a very young pro, aged only 18. What made you turn over to the pros this early?

DK - To be honest I think it was just that I was enjoying the training so much more; it was always something I wanted to do and sparring a few pros down the gym just showed me I was ready.

BBB - Do you believe you have a boxing style that is suited to the pro game and that will help you have a successful pro career?

DK - I think so. I'm naturally a counter puncher with very fast hands but I'm able to adapt to each fight so I know if I put in the work I can be successful! But I'm adjusting to the pro game each day and learning all the time in the gym so I will only get better.

BBB - What plan do you and Goodwin Promotions have for you for 2016? Will you be kept active or take things at a slow pace?

DK - I'm not in a rush at all. I’ve got all the time in the world but I'm hoping to get at least 4 fights in next year. If I can get any more then it is a bonus. I’m in the gym every single day learning new things as I said so we will see.

BBB - Where will you be training now you have turned over? Tell us about your trainer please and your gym mates? Just how important are they in helping you succeed?

DK - I'm training down the state of mind gym in Hammersmith with my trainer Barry O’Connell I love it down there it's a fun but hard working environment which makes it a bit easier training everyday and I'm already feeling the benefits. The state of mind is like a big family. My gym mates are former commonwealth champion John O’Donnell, Goodwin’s other new signing Deano Richardson , Charlie Rice , Jumaane Camero, Bradley Spencer and there are a lot of amateurs that train there as well as a few white collar fighters so it's all good. Training with people like John every day and having my trainer work with George Groves just gives me so much motivation and also allows me to learn so much things off them. As they say, success breeds success.

BBB - Tell us about your local boxing scene in London? I can imagine it's pretty busy with plenty of small hall shows to keep you active?

I think British boxing as a whole is booming at the moment with so many big fights coming up and just passed; it's great there are shows all the time. I just can't wait to get in there myself and do my thing! I want to have at least 4 next year starting with my debut on March 19th and London’s York hall In Bethnal Green.

BBB - Which boxer, apart from yourself, should we be keeping an eye on in 2016?

DK - My gym mate and good friend Deano Richardson is definitely one to watch!

BBB - Where would you like to be in boxing in 12 months’ time? What are your hopes for 2016?

DK - This time next year I hope to have 3 or 4 fights and have some good experience so I can push on and maybe look at some titles in 2017, but I need to just keep my head down and focus.

Massive thanks to Danny for talking to us and providing us with such detailed answers. It's always great to get into the mind of a fighter and see exactly what they think of the game.