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Hayemaker Boxing’s new signing Michael Grant doesn’t anticipate any nerves or stage fright when he makes his bow for the team on November 15 at The O2 in North Greenwich, London. Despite the size of the venue and the magnitude of the event, light-welterweight Grant is honoured to call The O2 his home away from home.
“I can’t wait for it,” beams Tottenham’s Grant, a light-welterweight standout with impressive 10-0-1 (1) credentials as a pro.
“My dad’s an electrician and I used to do a lot of work with him down at The O2 when they were getting it ready. We were at The O2 for about six months putting in the main power supply when it was getting re-made. I spent day after day in that arena and would always say to my dad, ‘I’d love to box here one day’. Now that dream’s come true and I’m itching to get in there.”
While headline attraction David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye hopes to one day create heavyweight history at The O2, Grant can already claim some bragging rights of his own when it comes to making a mark at Europe’s leading indoor venue. The 24-year-old slickster is already part of the arena’s rich history.
“They’ve got a board at the side of The O2 which basically thanks all the people that have helped put the arena together from the beginning,” adds Michael. “There’s about a thousand names on it and my name’s there.”
Though proud of his part in the development of the arena, Grant would happily swap the recognition for a world championship fight in front of a capacity O2 crowd. Having recently signed with David Haye and Adam Booth’s Hayemaker Boxing, the go-getting Grant is confident he now has the support to realise his dreams.
“I’d fight anyone in Britain right now,” admits the confident Grant, a former 2005 Senior ABA champion and veteran of over 100 amateur bouts.
“I’d love to fight all the top boys in my weight division. What I want to do and what I’m going to do are two completely different things, though. I trust Johnny (Eames, trainer), Adam and David to give me the right fights at the right time. I feel ready, talent-wise, to beat all these guys in Britain. I just want the chance.”
Grant’s ideal career plan closely mimics the one constructed by former world cruiserweight champion Haye. Grant wants to stay busy, he wants to take risks and he wants to do things as quickly as possible. Haye acts as his template.
“Me and David go way back,” explains Grant. “We were on England squads together and we’ve been friends since I was a teenager. I always thought David was class and always knew he’d make it where he is today. Everyone knew he would.
“He played a big part in me deciding to sign with Hayemaker.”
Grant takes the next step towards British and world title glory on November 15 at The O2 when he locks horns with Stoke’s rugged and hard-hitting veteran Gary ‘The Bodysnatcher’ Reid. It’s the sternest test of Grant’s unblemished career.
“Gary’s something like number 16 in Britain and has boxed for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title,” adds Grant. “It’s a really good fight for me and one I’m looking forward to. I’d much rather be put in with someone like Reid than just fight some journeyman who doesn’t have a ‘go’. I’m at a stage now where I’m not expecting any walkover jobs.
“After this fight we’ll start looking at domestic titles. I’d love to be British champion next year. Whenever it happens, it happens. I’ll be ready.”
