Erick Ochieng says that Saturday’s English light middleweight title
defence against Ryan Toms on the Betfair ‘London Calling’ bill at
Alexandra Palace, live on Sky Sports will be his last at that level as
he eyes the British and Commonwealth titles.
Ochieng saw off a spirited challenge from AA Lowe on the undercard of
Carl Froch’s stunning World title win over Lucian Bute in May in Lowe’s
backyard of Nottingham, with ‘The Eagle’ scoring a wide points win in
impressive fashion.
That defence was the tenth win of the Stoke Newington man’s career,
and after beating Nick Quigley in a barnstormer in January to claim the
vacant belt, Ochieng has began to win admirers as his career gets into
full swing.
“Beating Lowe took me into double figures which was a nice feeling,”
said Ochieng. “So now I’m ready to step it up with another defence and
then hopefully keep moving up the levels. I really feel that I’m
developing well and at a good pace, and I’m showing that I am a World
champion in waiting.
“Eddie Hearn has said this is my final fight at English level and I
think I am overdue for a British or Commonwealth shot to be honest – the
future is bright and by the end of the year I want to have one of those
belts.
“I am looking to move through the titles but I have to take it one
step at a time. I know what I can produce and I know I need to pass this
test. Ryan is a tough southpaw with some power but I am confident in my
skills and I take every opponent seriously and preparations have been
superb. I’ve sparred with heavier guys like John Ryder and we’ve left no
stone unturned to make sure I’m at 100 per cent tonight.
“I’ve been linked with fights with Jamie Cox (Commonwealth champion)
and Brian Rose (British champion) and I’m ready for fights like that, I
think that they are holding on to my titles and they will be handing
them over sooner rather than later. I don’t fear anyone in the division,
I see myself reaching the top and I know I have to beat the best there
is out there in order to get to the top. I’m determined to face them and
I’m gunning for them this year, but tonight is the focus.”
While the Quigley fight was a small hall classic at York Hall in
Bethnal Green, the Lowe win was a new experience for Ochieng – taking on
a hometown fighter in a huge arena. Ochieng rose to the occasion at the
Capital FM Arena, snuffing out any threat from the challenger and
imposing himself from the off, and he added to his burgeoning reputation
in front of the largest crowd he’s boxed in front of to date.
“He was a strong guy and very proud in front of his home fans so even
though he didn’t throw a lot but he did enough to make me work hard and
go the distance so it was a good defence,” said Ochieng.
“It was a brilliant experience, an electric atmosphere and it felt
like the type of occasion that I want to shine on, just like tonight. It
was a pleasure to box in the same ring as Froch and it was so inspiring
watching him beat Bute as I aspire to be a World champion just like
him.
“I’m a smart fighter and I’ve got a lot of skills. Even though I like
to box on the backfoot, I’m a strong guy and if you ask my opponents
they always say after the fight ’Wow, you are a strong fighter’. I am
working on my speed and my combinations all the time in the gym, but
they are already good and they are getting more dangerous.”
Ochieng came to the UK when he was 12 years old and used boxing as a
way to stay away from trouble, something he wants to use his influence
to pass on to other youngsters in London.
“Boxing isn’t just what happens in the ring, and being a role model
is really important to me. Sport is a great tool to help young people to
help them to grow and achieve things in their lives, even if they don’t
take the sport up as a job. You learn about teamwork, discipline and
dedication and when you look at the power of the Olympics and how it has
gripped the nation and got young people interested in sport then you
see the possibilities there for boxing to help young people to improve
their lives. Sport has changed me and made me a better person, so I like
to motivate young people and get them out of trouble like boxing did
for me.”
Tony Bellew tops the bill with his mouth-watering clash with Edison
Miranda. The Liverpool star is a red-hot 2-9 favourite with Betfair to
beat the Columbian, who is 16-5 to spoil Bellew’s night.
Lee Purdy is aiming to break into the World welterweight scene by
beating unbeaten Argentine Gumersindo Carrasco in their chief support
bout for the IBF International welterweight title. Exciting light
middleweight star Erick Ochieng defending his English title for the
second time against Southern Area champ Ryan Toms, hotly tipped
Islington middleweight John Ryder will also be in action while popular
unbeaten Chris ‘The Flash’ Evangelou fights for the first title of his
career when he tackles Danny Connor for the vacant Southern Area light
welterweight title.
There is a debut for Team GB star Martin Ward, who hopes to follow
the example set by Kal Yafai when he stopped Delroy Spencer on his debut
in July. Yafai fights for the second time as a pro, as does
cruiserweight prospect Wadi Camacho and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor
completes the line-up in his seventh pro outing.
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