Exclusive Interview: Bradley Skeete

Bradley “Super” Skeete defeated Jay Morris, an experienced fighter and former British Masters Light Welterweight titlist, on the Ricky Burns v Michael Katsidis undercard on Saturday night at the Wembley Arena in London.

Skeete had controlled the fight from the opening bell and the pressure paid off early in the fifth as the referee stopped the contest to hand the Penge fighter a fifth successive victory since turning pro last October.

Promising welterweight Bradley, who was fresh in the ring just two weeks after defeating Steve Spence on points, showed his greater athleticism and slick stylish skills as his movement caused Morris problems.

The 33-year-old could hardly land any shots as Skeete worked the outside of the ring and continued to find success. This young 24 year old from Penge in London is definitely a star of the future and will be a welcomed addition to the hotbed of welterweight talent that already exists both in the UK and the United States of America.

SaddoBoxing had the pleasure of interviewing Bradley on the eve of his fight with Jay Morris and this is what he
had to say.

SaddoBoxing: How did you get into boxing and what age did you start?

Bradley Skeete: My dad got me into boxing. He worked for my amateur coach, Sid Khan, who runs Earlsfield ABC. I started going down the gym when I was seven years old.

SB: Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career so far?

BS: My biggest inspiration in my career so far has been my daughter Alyssia, two years old. I want to be able to give her the best upbringing I can so when it gets hard I just think of her.

SB I know that you are a young professional just starting out on your career, but can you tell us a bit about your time as an amateur, such as how many fights you had and honours you won?

BS: I had 94 amateur bouts and won 72. I won a Gold medal at the Four Nations. I won the CYPs Championships. I won a Gold medal at a Multi-Nations in Bosnia. I was a Bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Federations Championships. A Silver medallist at the GB Championships. Three-time Schoolboy finalist. Senior ABA runner-up.

SB: What has your proudest moment been thus far in boxing?

BS: Winning the Gold medal at the Four Nations. It was my first time boxing for England.

SB: Legendary hall of fame trainer Emanuel Steward compared you to a young Thomas Hearns after seeing only your second professional fight. Describe how a comparison like that feels to you, so early in your boxing career, from a living legend?

BS: It’s great to be compared to the likes of a young Tommy Hearns, especially by his legendary hall of fame trainer Emanuel Steward. If I can achieve half of what Tommy Hearns did in my career i’ll be a happy man.

SB: Which current boxer do you admire the most and why?

BS: I admire Kell Brook. He’s young and achieved so much already. I think he’s world class and will definitely be a world champion soon. Hopefully I will move up the welterweight division like he has.

SB: The welterweight division has a real hotbed of fighters at the moment both here in the UK and in the United States; where do you see yourself going in this division?

BS: I’m in it for the long run. I want to go all the way to the top. One day I want to be a world champion.

SB: Who would you most like to fight in your upcoming career bouts and why?

BS: I’d fight anyone as long as its the right fight for me. I’ve got a very good team around me who will get me the right fights at the right
time.

SB: What are the sacrifices that you make to become the boxer that you are?

BS: There are too many to write down! I know if I make the sacrifices now it will all pay off in the long run.

SB: Can you tell us what your hardest day’s training consists of coming up to a fight?

BS: A typical day in the gym will be 18 minutes skipping, six or eight rounds shadow boxing, six or eight rounds on the bag or pads, and ground work for core strength. I spar on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Now I’m doing six rounds, I spar six or eight rounds. On Sundays I do strength and conditioning and my sprints on the running track with my strength coach Bob McDonald.

SB: I ask everyone that I interview this question; do you think that the Mayweather v Pacquiao fight will happen and if so, who will win and why?

BS: I really hope this fight will happen sooner rather then later. I think it will be a great fight. I think Mayweather will win, he’s more the technical boxer. Pacquiao is a bit reckless at times and I think Mayweather will expose that.