With Prizefighter fever still in the air, I asked last year's finalist, Nick Quigley if he would agree to be interviewed for my blog. Being the top bloke he is, he agreed. Here is the result.
B: Hi Nick. Thanks for agreeing to this interview. I’d like to get the ball rolling by looking at your last fight with Eric Ochieng on 28th January. Can you talk us through the tactics in that fight.
NQ: With my last fight against Ochieng he was really awkward and i fought the wrong fight against him, i just used pressure because i seen in his only defeat he had
been pressured by his opponent but obviously he had went back and learnt how to cope with the pressure.
B: So how did you feel about your corner stopping the fight? Do you feel that you could have continued?
NQ: At the time i was obviously gutted but my dad did warn me that if i did take any more heavy shots he will throw the towel in, i could of carried on but i doubt i would of stopped him so now i do feel my dad made the right decision.
B: How and at what age did you start in boxing? What drew you to the sport?
NQ: I think i started at 9 and it was my dad that got me in to it but to be honest my heart wasn't really in it when i was younger it was only when I got a bit older that then I really wanted to do it.
Back in the day with Nick (right)
B: The Prizefighter series is about to start again soon and I am sure you get fed up talking about it in interviews but I just have a few questions. How do you feel that your success in getting to the final of Prizefighter affects the pressure on you when you fight now?
NQ: Yes I suppose I do feel a bit of pressure off the back of prizefighter but nothing too bad, I do sometimes think "I hope the crowd are enjoying this" but with a style like mine i usually am in exciting fights.
B: You had to fight your mate Steve Harkin in the quarterfinals. How was that for you?
NQ: Yes unfortunately I did and I was gutted, Ste's a great lad and hes a friend as well so it was always gonna be hard fighting him but obviously we both had to forget that and try and win prizefighter.
Nick and Ste Harkin battle it out in the quarter finals
B: What advise would you give to this year’s intake for Prizefighter 2012?
NQ: I'd say dont go all guns blazing like I did. Try to pace ya self and if you feel its not going your way and you've lost a round or two just go for it and leave everything in the ring.
B: Seems like sound advice to me, mate. What would you say has been the number one thing that you have taken away from the whole Prizefighter experience?
NQ: I think I earned a lot of people's respect as a fighter after prizefighter because before that I hadn't really achieved anything major in boxing.
B: So who, in the light middleweight division, do you feel would make a really challenging opponent at this time?
NQ: Thats a really tuff one because there are a lot of class lads at my weight but the one person i would like to fight would be Eric Ochieng again because I do believe I can beat him.
B: I would have to agree with you there. A rematch would be good for all concerned. Who has been your most challenging opponent to date?
NQ: I'd say Eric Ochieng. Hes a class lad with a lot of skill although i do believe I fought the wrong fight against him and i do think i have the beating of him.
B: If you were setting up a training camp for your next fight, name 3 boxers you would like to have as sparring partners.
NQ: I think Carl Dilks as he is quality sparring and also my two brothers Tony and John because they can mimic most boxers but i think id have to wear 18oz gloves to spar our john because he is a lot lighter than me but he's so fast and I think he will improve my speed.
B: Haha! Nice! Sounds like u have your own family training came there man. Which boxers have been most inspirational to you in your career so far and why?
NQ: I've gotta say my brothers Tony and John, they have achieved so much. They are amazing fighters and i have learnt a lot off both of them.
B: It’s early in 2012. What do you plan to achieve by this time next year?
NQ: I'd love to finish the year with some form of title or title fight in the pipeline. I feel I rushed my career a bit jumping from doing only one six rounder straight in to a 10 round english title fight.
B: How do you mentally prepare for a fight & do you have any last minute rituals?
NQ: Well the people in my changing rooms are usually my dad; my brothers; my cornerman, Simon Sandhu and a few of my gym mates all of who I've grew up with so we all have a laugh and joke. I dont really have a ritual but i always like to have a laugh with the lads before I go into the fight. I find that it relaxes me.
B: Great idea. They say laughter does have a relaxing effect. To what extend does the support of a live crowd effect your performance in the ring?
NQ: I love a loud crowd it gives me an energy boost .. but, when its boo's from my opponent's fans it dosent affect my ability in the ring it eggs me on to do better
B: Do you use any dietary supplements?
NQ: I'm never really that over my weight that I'd need to be using diet supplements. I just up my training and eat sensible portions.. as i get closer to my fight i really cut down on my food intake.
B: Finally, can you give us an outline of a typical training day
NQ: Well, I get up and go on a 45 minute run ..and in the gym in the night my dad has all different work outs for me, whether its fat burn; fitness or strength. I will do sparring to get myself ready for my fights, it all depends on what my dad has planned.. kettle bells are my worst nightmare haha!!
B: Well, once again, thanks for agreeing to this interview. I'm sure everyone will join me in wishing you well in your boxing career. Let's hope that title comes along before 2013.
Billy Smith 2012
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