Exclusive Boxing Interview: Mark Hobson

Third Time Lucky For Hobson?

On Friday night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Bethnal Green, London, England Mark Hobson will be given his third shot at the WBU Cruiserweight title and this time he hopes that it will be his arm raised aloft after the dust settles. Standing opposite him when the bell rings will be little known Czech fighter Pavol Polakovic, 32, who will bring a reasonable 11-1 record into the ring, although boasting only one stoppage in those 11 victories.

Although two years older than Hobson, 25-4-1 (13), Polakovic at first glance seems the least experienced of the two, but with an appearance in the Olympics among his amateur accolades, Hobson is certainly not taking his opponent lightly.

Speaking from his Huddersfield home, Hobson said: “As a rule, I don’t vary my training too much before each fight, because as far as I’m concerned, all I can do is step through the ropes knowing that I’ve given 100% in training, and that I am the best I could be.

“Especially with Polakovic, I haven’t varied my training too much, because I don’t know too much about him. He beat an unbeaten Italian lad for the IBF International Cruiserweight title a while ago, so I know he won’t be an easy opponent, and I definitely won’t be underestimating him.”

Following the last defence of his Commonwealth and British Cruiserweight belts in June against John “Buster” Keaton, Hobson will certainly hope that the grit and chin he showed in recovering from an early scare in that barnstormer will help him in claiming the WBU crown.

The Czech’s only defeat in his 12 fights came against durable Dane Lasse Johansen, who gave European champ David Haye a good workout in a recent outing. But the lack of power suggested by only one KO from 11 fights likely indicates that lack of power could be Polakovic’s main weakness.

The down to earth Hobson has always been backed by a vociferous support, but this Friday’s fight may be different, as the bout takes place at Frank Warren’s charity event raising money for DeBRA, a charity helping families with children who suffer with a painful skin condition.

“Because it is a charity event, I don’t think it’ll be as noisy as usual, but I will be the Englishman in the fight and hopefully I’ll still have most of the support there,” said Hobson.

“It does give you a boost when you’re walking to the ring and people are chanting your name, but once the fight begins, I’m always focused and don’t even notice anything going on outside the ring.”

Speaking about his two previous fights for the WBU Cruiserweight title, Hobson admits that he lost to better fighters, but believes now is the time for him to step up in class by claiming the belt.

“When I fought the first time against Sebastiaan Rothmann, he was a world class fighter, and the second time, well, everyone knows that Maccarinelli is a world class fighter too, so this time I hope it’ll be my name spoken at the end.

“This is totally a must win fight, as far as I’m concerned I can’t even consider losing it, I have to take this belt otherwise I’m not sure where I could go on from there, I don’t see any other places that I can move my career on if I lose.”

To learn more about how you can help raise money for DeBRA, just click on this link http://www.frankwarren.tv/drill/News/Articles/2006/09/05/you-can-make-a-difference-for-debra.html