Tony Dodson Interview - Part 2

It’s no secret that Tony Dodson has spent a bit of time away from the ring. He has had one fight per year for the last three years but insists his passion for the sport never waivered. A miscommunication with the British Board of Control led to Tony utilising his contacts and having Steven Vaughan help get a Maltese boxing license. At the time of speaking, this issue was fully resolved and following a meeting with the BBBC, all systems are go for the future.

“The hunger never went away. It’s about being given opportunities. Unless you are with Warren or Matchroom you struggle to get regular work. With a couple of losses on your record no one is interested”

If ever a quote summed up the cruel nature of the sweet science that could be it. This little discussion lead onto a very interesting story of what might have been.

“After the Prizefighter tournament I took a few months off from the gym then I was offered a world title shot against [then champion] Robert Stieglitz. I couldn’t take it because I’d been unprofessional. That could have been life changing! He’s a basic fighter and I’d never go into a fight not thinking I could win. So if I had any advice to any young boxers out there it would be to stay in the gym and ensure you are always ready”

There is a clear sense of pride in his achievements despite the man himself admitting he feels he has underachieved as a professional. He is brutally honest but not too hard on himself. He lists winning the British title as the pinnacle of his career as well as impressive wins over the likes of Brian Barbosa, Darren Stubbs, and Jamie Hearn among many more. The Barbosa one in particular stands out as a fantastic achievement. A man who was a world class operator “like a truck and I beat him on 4 days’ notice”. The aforementioned British title is a future goal as well, once Saturday is out of the way.

We rounded off our interview, as we tend to do, asking who we should keep an eye on in 2016. The answer wasn’t exactly a surprise but was a very interesting insight into one of the best British boxers ever.

A big year ahead for the Hayemaker according to Tony Dodson

“It’s going to sound cheesy, and it’s not because I’m on his undercard but David Haye. In the last few weeks he has looked on another level. Even by his standards. Bigger, faster, sharper. It looks as though the three and half years out has done him the world of good. I’ve known him since he was 15 and his attitude wasn’t the same back then. Everyone around him knew just how talented he was but he didn’t seem to care. Now you are talking to a man who knows this is his last crack at the whip. It’s now or never. Even though he is a two weight world champion there is a sense he underachieved with his natural talent. He is going to make the heavyweight division exciting again. I think working with Shane McGuigan is helping but his overall mentality is different now. He is a man rather than a 20 year old and it shows.”