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British light-middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes admits he gains little from beating Anthony Small on March 28, but remains eager to shut the mouth of his London-based challenger at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
Since both agreed to the bout over Christmas, a war of words has ensued, with Small accusing Rhodes of previously ducking him. Eager to prove a point on March 28, Rhodes’ fire has been ignited.
“I’m defending my British title and that’s great, but I’m not really gaining much else from taking this fight,” admits Rhodes, 41-4 (27).
“I’m rated higher than Small in the British, Commonwealth, European and world rankings. I won’t move any higher from beating someone like Small. Shutting his mouth up is all the motivation I need to take this fight.”
Rhodes discovered the extent of Small’s ‘mouth’ in January when the pair met at a Liverpool press conference to announce their contest.
“I expected it [Small’s vocal outburst],” says Rhodes. “It wasn’t a shock to me. Everything he brings to the table is stuff I’ve seen before. His actions, his words and his attitude are nothing new to me. I was brought up with Naz [Naseem Hamed] and his press conferences, so Small’s outbursts don’t faze me one bit. He can talk all he likes.
“In his mind, he has to beat you with words first. Then he can build his confidence up and hopefully beat you in the ring.
“The only two fighters he’s faced who weren’t fazed by him and were supposed to give him a good fight – Walter Wright and Bradley Pryce – both gave him more than he could handle. Wright had Small out on his feet in the eighth round, and would have knocked him out in a 10 rounder. Then Pryce did knock him out when the going got tough.
“I’m his third genuine test and it’s going to be third time unlucky for him.”
Boasting an edge in experience, Rhodes – a former two-time British light-middleweight champion and two-time WBO middleweight title challenger – believes his knowledge of his own unorthodox style will ultimately win the day.
Both possessing slick, rangy, switch-hitting styles, Rhodes and Small appear to be cut from the same cloth. Crucially, Rhodes has mastered his style since February 1995, the night he turned pro
“I’ve trained and sparred in gyms where it’s basically like fighting yourself in a mirror,” adds the 32-year-old. “I’ve sparred with countless kids who do exactly the same as I do. It’s difficult dealing with a style like mine.
“The thing is, Small’s never sparred or boxed anyone that has a style like him. I’m the first fighter to ever give Small a taste of his own medicine. On March 28, he’s going to be shadowboxing in a mirror and getting hit and hit hard. Let’s see how he likes it.”
Where Rhodes boasts knowledge and experience, Small relies on exuberance and swagger. Although similar in fighting style, Rhodes believes his better grounding in reality may prove key on March 28.
“He’s mentioned Herol Graham fighting Mike McCallum and Naz fighting Marco Antonio Barrera as examples of how he’s going to beat me,” continues Rhodes.
“If he’s watching those fights, it suits me down to the ground. I don’t think I fight anything like Naz did or anything like Herol did. One thing’s certain; Small isn’t McCallum or Barrera.
“He thinks he fights like Roy Jones and ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard. I asked everyone in the room at the press conference whether that was true and not one person agreed with him. What he sees in the mirror I just don’t know.”
Ryan Rhodes’ British title showdown with Anthony Small is the co-main event at Hayemaker 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, on March 28.
Also featured on the stacked card is local lad Tony Dodson’s British title challenge against champion Brian Magee, as well as the English title clash between Tony Quigley and Paul David and the British title eliminator between John Watson and Martin Gethin.
To purchase tickets to Hayemaker 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ visit www.accliverpool.com or call 0844 8000 400.
