Q&A - Miles Shinkwin
- britishboxingblog
- Dec 15, 2015
- 5 min read
Miles Shinkwin almost had a link with North East boxing when he was lined up to face Birtley fighter Travis Dickinson for the English Light-Heavyweight title. Although that fell through, Miles is now looking at a British title shot against Bob Ajisafe. So of course we lept at the opportunity to speak to a true scholar of the sweet science and see who inspired him to get to this point.
Brtish Boxing Blog - How did you get in to boxing? Please tell us about your boxing background?
Miles Shinkwin - My grandad boxed for the Navy many moons ago, then my dad and 5 uncles took it up as amateurs and eventually 3 of them turned pro. I used to go to the gym when my dad trained because my mum worked nights and my sisters would stay with my nan while dad trained. I just started punching the bag one day and here I am... My dad then took over the local gym (Bushey ABC) and was head coach to around another 10 cousins and myself.
BBB - Who is your all time boxing hero?
MS - My favourite fighter is Sugar Ray Leonard but my boxing hero would be my dad. He taught me everything and together we had a very good amateur career. Without him I undoubtedly wouldn't be the man I am today.
BBB - How would you sum up your 2015? You've won all 3 fights, including the Southern Area title. Pleased with your progress so far?
MS - One fight was a defence of my Southern Area title and the other two were against international opposition. I would have liked to have been more active but behind the scenes we had some great gym time. I spent time in Monaco with Andy Lee for the [Peter] Quillin fight, spent 6 weeks in Big Bear, California with George Groves for the [Badou] Jack fight. Those camps alone were the equivalent to 10 fights. Experience you can’t buy. Alongside all of that my trainer Jason Rowland and I just worked, worked, worked in the gym, just getting ready for a huge 2016. I would have liked to have had the English strap around my waist as we speak but that fight fell through and there wasn't anything that could be done about that from our side. Life goes on.
BBB - You were scheduled to fight Travis Dickinson at the end of October but that fight fell through and Travis has now subsequently announced his retirement from boxing (and believed to be going in to the bare knuckle scene). What are your thoughts on that situation?
MS - I have no feeling towards it, no opinion. It's his choice and his life and he'll do what he thinks is best for himself and his family. I wish however that he could have vacated the title while pondering his future, I could have fought for the vacant title, then waived grace and defended against him if he felt he wanted to fight. But that didn't happen and we move on.
BBB - You are now one of the highest ranked light heavyweights in the country and have a scheduled shot at Bob Ajisafe for the British title. What is the latest on that fight being made?
MS - I believe I'm now number 3 in the country, I feel that's exactly where I should be. Cleverly is way out on his own for now, then Ajisafe is number 2, as British and Commonwealth champion, then me. My promoter won the purse bids on 9th December and now we await a date and venue for me to challenge for those belts.
BBB - Just how proud are you to be fighting for a British title? And how do you rate your chances of beating Ajisafe?
MS - I'm extremely proud in how far I've progressed in the last year / 18 months. We are right where we want to be, challenging for such a prestigious belt after only 12 fights is a glowing reference of the team I have around me. Without them I wouldn’t be in this position right now. My chances.....fantastic. I don't think any light-heavy in the country can match me for speed and shot selection. My power and strength is improving by the day. We'll see how confident Mr Ajisafe is if he takes the contest or vacates. He may feel he has bigger fish to fry than me.
BBB - Obviously this is the biggest fight of your career so far. Will you be preparing any differently for this fight compared to your previous ones?
MS - Undoubtedly my hardest fight and we as a team are under no illusions about that. It will be my first 12 rounder so more rounds in training, more sparring, more sparring partners and longer in camp. The harder the challenge the greater the reward right?
BBB - Will you be in camp over the Christmas period? Can that be a difficult thing for a boxer, maintaining discipline at this time of year?
MS - I'm in camp now yes and will stay so over Christmas. It can be hard for someone who doesn't want to succeed, I suppose, or isn't worried about failure. My life is and always has been boxing. I have a 9 month old daughter and I have to provide for her and my wife. The only way to do that is to keep winning. I don't mind the sacrifice at all. Was it Ali who said sacrifice now and live the rest of your life as a champ? That'll do me.
BBB - Do you watch much boxing in your spare time? What has been your favourite fight of 2016?
MS - Yes watch as much as I can. I'm a student of the game. You can never learn enough. Watching great fighters like GGG [Gennady Golovkin], [Roman] Gonzalez, [Guillermo Rigondeaux] Rigo and [Vasyl] Lomachenko, studying them and trying to interpret parts of their game into your own can only be beneficial in the long run. Being in camp alongside fighters like Andy [Lee] and George [Groves] is also invaluable like I said. Favourite fight would have to be one of GGG’s. He is just effortless and love watching him. None in particular though.
BBB - And finally, which British boxer do you believe is destined for big things in 2016?
MS - My favourite British fighter to watch is Carl Frampton, I'm really looking forward to him and Quigg. That's going to be a cracker. The winner can go on to some big, big fights right away. I also think George Groves, with his new trainer can 100% capture that elusive world title. He has every attribute to be a champion for sure
Comments