Exclusive Boxing Interview: Bobby Rimmer

SaddoBoxing was fortunate enough to interview Bobby Rimmer, formerly assistant trainer of Ricky “Hitman” Hatton and now turned owner of Bobby Rimmer’s Boxing Academy/Stalybridge ABC in Manchester, England and full time trainer to some hot young talent.

Click for larger image © Mike Cleary

SaddoBoxing: First off, it’s been almost a year since you opened your gym, how are things coming along with that, anything new? How have you and your guys settled into it?

Bobby Rimmer: “The gym is doing great, in fact, it took off too quickly! My partner Scott Gledhill and I were really snowed under from the get go. I was getting to the gym at 8:30am and not getting home until 11:30pm. I was doing personal lessons until the pros came in at 12: 30pm until 3:00pm then more classes until the amateur club came in at 6:00pm until 9:00pm.

“So Scott and I decided to split the gym into two parts; the weights and fitness side went to Scott and I got the boxing gym. We both share the showers and the cafe so its worked out really good. Scott does the nutrition for the boxers and Bri Rose still works on the reception. “

SB: “So about your boxers; you have a number of known British fighters, one in particular, Michael Gomez, recently had a pleasing stoppage win even after late change of opponent for his comeback fight. He has been fighting recently at lightweight, a division with a lot of good fights on the domestic scene alone.

BR: “In all honesty Chris, we are taking things one fight at a time, but I think that if it all goes to plan, there’ no reason why in two or three fights, Mike cant be going up against the big names in the super featherweights again.”

SB: Michael has beaten some great fighters in the past, Justin Juuko and Alex Arthur to name a couple, but who is it the team now wants to face being at lightweight?

BR: “Imagine Gomez vs.Arthur, the return, or Gomez vs. Kevin Mitchell, Mike’s got that look in his eyes again, he’s hungry again. I believe he can do it all over again.”

SB: We mentioned Michael’s comeback win at this last show on May 5, but another of your fighters, the undefeated light middle Brian Rose, also fought on that card, racking up his third victory in three fights. Tell us a little about Brian and the direction that you would like to go in with the undefeated fighter, who is still so early in his career.

BR: “When Bri came to us, he also moved from Blackpool to my flat in Openshaw, He had a really bad shoulder injury and couldn’t train, so he was a bit down in the dumps. Ee made many trips to the physio, Stewart Cosgrove of Atherton, he is the best in the country by far, anyway he recovered, started training, the kid’s a real talent. He had 90 amateur contests, only lost 12 and won 7 national titles.

“He works at the gym, really dedicated, and a really nice lad. He is part of the family, Bri is managed by Dean Powell, Frank Warren’s matchmaker; who better to be a manager? We sell a lot of tickets on the local circuit, so I would like him to have around ten fights on these shows, learn the trade, build up a good fan base then maybe get on the TV shows, then take it from there.”

SB: Breaking away from the subject of you as a trainer for a moment, who do you like on the world stage right now? Who’s your favourite?

BR: “At this moment in time, my favourite fighters on the world scene are Ricky Hatton, obvious answer. Kelly Pavlik, what a number he did the other night, no fluke either, he is the worst kept secret ever. Winky Wright, great technician. I like Jorge Arce, the kids got guts and balls of steel.

“Closer to home, I think we are just coming to Jamie Moore’s turn to stand on the world stage. I really think Jamie is going to relish it, too. He has been knocking on the door for a while, someone’s got to open it now.”

SB: Great list, all great fighters. Do you have any thoughts on Ricky and his career, having split with the camp following the Tszyu fight?

BR: “Well, the truth of the matter is, whatever happened at the Phoenix Camp, I never stopped my friendship with any of the fighters. Me and Rick still socialise, we are good mates. So his career, when he beat Kostya, he was awesome. It was a real hard fight to follow. His next opponent Maussa, what a nightmare, but Rick nailed him with a peach of a left hook.

“Then Collazo, southpaw, strong, nothing to loose, everything to gain, Rick showed how tough and durable he is that night with Collazo. Then the last fight with Urango, he was a real tuff nut. Rick showed his great boxing skills that night, those three fights were all dangerous fights for Rick, but it proved to the boxing world that Rick’s the real deal and he isn’t ducking anyone, no one else would touch them.

“The Castillo fight, well I think Rick’s going to bring his A game again, just like he did when he beat ‘The Thunder From Down Under’. I think Ricky wins in six or seven.”

SB: It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, Bobby. All the best in future with you and your fighters.