Tom Little Interview – Discusses Tom Dallas, Luke Martin, Graham Earl and More

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

I’m sure that anyone that watched Prizefighter International Heavyweights back in June 2012 will remember 25 -year old Tom Little from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, not because he won or anything like that, but for the surprising way he exited the competition in the quarter-final against Tom Dallas.

I say surprising as Tom seemed to be cruising to victory, but after two sensational rounds dominated by the Hatfield man he ran out of steam mid-third round.

Doghouse Boxing’s Iain Dolan, who was ringside on the night, wrote in his report:

“Fight of the night was the 4^th quarter final between Hatfield’s Tom Little (18st 3lbs) and Tom Dallas. The flabby Little, in only his 4^th paid bout showed surprising hand speed and a big heart as he threw the kitchen sink at Dallas from the off.  Finding success with jabs and hooks both upstairs and down, Little looked to be on course for an unlikely victory as Dallas neglected defense in order to meet fire with fire.  Little started the 2^nd round with similar ambition but, from quite early on, was looking up at the big screen to see how long was left in the round. Little continued to throw leather and give Dallas problems although he was clearly gassed by the end of the round.  In the 3^rd it all fell apart for Little as he had just completely run out of steam. Dallas landed some good shots but it was 90% exhaustion that caused Little to crash to the canvas.  He managed to get to his feet but could barely stand so the fight was waved off.  If Little can find the discipline to spend more time in the gym and less time in KFC, he has plenty to offer on the domestic heavyweight scene.”

That final comment may just have been the catalyst for the ‘rebuilding’ of Tom Little that has been taking place at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town over the past couple of months.  That may sound a little dramatic, but believe me I have seen the transformation, both physical and mental, that has taken place.

I first met Tom when he was preparing for his pro debut, against Rolandas Cesna in July 2011. I was invited by Graham Earl to come to Luton to interview his fighters that were to take part in an event promoted by him at the Liquid Night Club in Luton.  To describe the difference between the Tom I met then and the one I spoke with earlier today is unreal. Back then Tom was yet another flabby heavyweight.  His biggest selling point was his hand speed (ridiculously fast for a Light Heavy, let alone a Heavyweight), but his stamina was very, very poor.  He was running out of steam after just a couple of rounds on the heavy bag.

Today Tom is almost a lean, mean fighting machine. Whilst yes he is still carrying a bit of excess weight, he really is beginning to look much more ‘fighty.’  I watched as Barry Smith put him through the paces, six rounds on the heavy bag, followed by another six on the pads – oh and I don’t mean pitter-pattering I mean full on ‘fight level’ stuff.

The change is so extreme that I for one am looking forward to watching him in action, at Johnny Eames’ TKO Events promoted ‘Two Tribes’ event at York Hall in London on Saturday June 1^st.

If he performs at the level he did in the training sessions Tom Little may just be the breath of fresh air the Heavyweight division needs to ignite the fans interest once more.

As I said before I was amazed at his extraordinary hand speed, as well as the ease he is able to open up his opposition with both hands, so am sure he will become a serious crowd pleaser.

OK, enough of my praising the youngster, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Following the grueling regimen by Barry Smith, young Tom took some time out to talk about his career to date, his disappointing loss to Tom Dallas and of course the transformation since his move to the TRAD TKO.

Rio: So you’re fighting Luke Martin at York Hall on the 1^st June, what do you know about Luke and how do you see the fight going?

Tom:  Luke Martin, well I don’t know a thing about him, don’t care; all I know is I’m going to flatten him.  Training’s been really good, the sharpness is there and everything is coming together just right.  I’ve got a week of sparring to go, I’m really looking forward to that, then I’m ready to go, so Luke Martin watch out.

Rio: This will be your fifth professional outing, how has your pro career been to date?

Tom: I’ve had four fights, this will be my fifth, won three of them and my only loss was against Tom Dallas in Prizefighter.  I’m not going to make excuses, anyone that seen it knows I didn’t get beat by the better man.  I was in a very bad place in my life at that time. I shouldn’t have been in a boxing ring, to be quite honest with you.  I shouldn’t have been around people full stop.  I should have been locked away, because of the things going on in my head at the time.

That’s all behind me now though. I’m moving forward and I’ve got a good team behind me at last, in manager Johnny Eames and trainer Barry Smith, as well as having a great camp at the TRAD TKO gym in Canning Town.

Rio: So you were lucky to get the three wins you have then?

I’ve been lucky, I fought the very capable Hastings Rasani in my second fight, funnily enough I was up here two days before my fight, Graham got Barry to give me some pads and he blew me out in two rounds, so you can tell what sort of fitness I was at.

It’s all changed now though, I’ve been at the TRAD TKO about fifteen weeks now, come down from about twenty stone and now weigh seventeen stone five. I’ve never boxed below eighteen stone before, ever.

For Prizefighter I only ever done roadwork and bag work and no other training for two weeks, so I’m confident now that I’m getting into good condition.

Rio: So you’re now in a ‘Good Place’ mentally and physically, so what can the fans expect to see of Tom Little in the future.

Tom: I know that people spout their mouth and say whatever, but I know there’s not a heavyweight in Britain that I can’t beat when I’m fit and believe me I am going to be in the condition of my life thanks to Barry.

This is literally a new start for me and I’m real pleased that Johnny and Barry have given me the opportunity to have this new start.  That loss to Dallas, a lot of people wouldn’t have given me a second chance. Thankfully Johnny saw something he liked and was happy to work with me.

Barry’s always liked the way that I fight and he’d seen the things that needed changing. Everyone’s been working together and I’m confident that we really are going to shock everyone when they see me in action on June 1^st.

Rio: Changing tack slightly, could you tell the readers a little about your early amateur career please?

Tom: I was amateur from the age of twelve, up to seventeen. I had twenty two fights won eighteen of them, done real well as an amateur.  The last time I boxed as an amateur was as a middleweight, then I went away and done my own thing.

Rio: So you walked away from boxing whilst an amateur, what changed for you to come back straight in and campaign in the pro ranks?

Tom: Funnily enough I went back into the gym to help me give up smoking and met Graham Earl.  Graham then offered me the chance to turnover, it all happened really fast, I got my head down, had three fights, which I won, under Graham Earl whilst I was training out of Luton.  Never did feel myself that I was fit, always felt there was something missing.  Something was missing out of the camp.  It really did open my eyes up when I went in Prizefighter under short notice and was literally left to train myself.  My current trainer Barry was there on the night, he noticed but obviously couldn’t say anything because I wasn’t his fighter at the time.  It really showed, I went in against someone I wasn’t expected to get anywhere with and gave him the hiding of his life for two rounds, but in doing this literally collapsed with exhaustion.  This really opened my eyes, so I went away to think things over. I then left my manager, left everything and come up to the TRAD TKO, where I was welcomed with open arms.

Rio: Has this change of management and coaching made that much of a difference then?

Tom: Barry Smith has really turned things around for me, before I couldn’t do two rounds in sparring for any of my other fights because I just didn’t have it in the tank, now I can spar up to ten rounds.  It makes so much difference being here, I’ve always got a coach, everyone puts in the best work to help, but the biggest thing is there is always sparring here, not just sparring but quality sparring against great opposition.  There’s a couple of good heavyweights up here, plus fighter friends of the gym. I had some sparring with Dereck Chisora and that, so the TRAD TKO has done a lot for me, in the short time since I’ve been up here, I’m very grateful to them.

Rio: I know you are focused on the fight with Luke Martin right now, but after that is there any fight you really want Johnny to make happen for you?

Tom: I’m really eager to get the rematch against Tom Dallas, I want to prove to everyone that the better man didn’t win on the night.  If he wants to hide behind his manager so be it, they say he doesn’t want it yet, but he can’t hide forever and I’ll be there in his way wherever he wants to get to.

This will be my first fight under the TRAD TKO banner and I know that it’s the start of bigger things for me, including hopefully the rematch with Tom Dallas. I’ll go to Kent and drag him out if I have to.

Rio: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today, finally is there anything you would like to say to the fans out there?

Tom: To all the fans out there, come to York Hall on the 1^st June and see the real me, see what they were missing out on before because I didn’t have proper training before, they’ll see what I can do now that I have a serious people behind me and I’m in a good place.

Tom Little,against Luke Martin is a supporting bout on the Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze, Johnny Eames promoted ‘Two Tribes Go To War’ event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 1^st June 2013.

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available on line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town or direct from Tom Little or any of the fighters taking part.

Johnny Eames Announces Line-Up for First June Event at York Hall

London – Wednesday, 15th May 2013- Earlier this year TRAD TKO Boxing Gym head honcho Johnny Eames announced that he will be promoting events in 2013, and keeping to his word, Johnny last night announced that his first UK event, tagged “Two Tribes Go To War”, will take place at York Hall, in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 1^st June 2013.  Headlining Johnny’s first show is former IBO Light Welterweight World and British Welterweight Champion Colin Lynes in an International contest against Georgia’s Beka Sutidze.  Supporting Lynes-Beka Johnny has put together a solid card featuring many of the rising stars from his TRAD TKO stable, as well as a couple from Alan Smith’s squad.  On making the announcement a clearly pleased Johnny said,“June the 1st sees the launch of TKO Events, something that should have been launched in April and then May but eventually ended up being in June.  As it’s our first show, we’re really excited here at the gym.  It was supposed to be a co-promotion with Spencer Fearon, but Spencer has other commitments and he can’t do it, so no hard feelings there, but I promised
the boys fights, so obviously we’ve had to go ahead with it. I’m really looking forward to it.  Although I have promoted events with other promoters, this will be the first time I’m promoting my own show.  It’s been a challenge, but with the help of Rio (Gianluca Di Caro), Dave Murphy and Tony Vincent, we’ve slowly got it together.We’ve had promises of sponsors, but they didn’t materialize for whatever reason, but now we’ve got another sponsor in place, who put his money where his mouth is, and come up with the money straight away, which has helped make the show possible.  We’ve got five or six of our own fighters on the show, plus a couple from Alan Smith in Adam Dingsdale and Lewis Pettitt.I’m looking forward to working with Alan again.  It’s been a long time since we’ve worked together.  Headlining our first show is Colin Lynes.  I’ve know Colin since he was a kid, so it’s a real pleasure to be promoting him.  I believe Colin’s still got a couple of titles left in him and if we get the opportunity we will progress him onto the title trail once again.On the 1st June we have Colin fighting Beka Sutidze in a non-championship International bout.  This should be a really great fight.  Both boys like to go to war, so it is an appropriate headline fight for our first show, which we named “Two Tribes Go To War.”

Our Freddie Turner gets his second outing since signing with us in March.  He’s another one we want to move onto the title trail as soon as possible.  I don’t need to say too much about Freddie as I have said it all before, but Freddie is one of the most exciting young prospects around, and it’s an honour to have him on board.

On the 1st June, Freddie will have his work cut out, as he’s facing Jay Morris, who as I’m sure you know is as tough as old boots.  Another of the TRAD TKO boys on the show is Festim Lama.  With Festim it’s a matter of what you see is what you get. He’s a tough kid, who comes to fight. He’s very, very entertaining and will be a crowd pleaser I’m sure.

Also on the show, I’ve got the debut of my big heavyweight Paulius Kasiulevicius from Lithuania. Paulius is only twenty three years of age but has had plenty of amateur experience.  He’s been training with John Murray down at our sister gym, The VK Gym in Bognor, so I know he’s going to be in excellent condition for the fight.

Another new signing I have on the show is Tom Little. Tom’s improved so much under the guidance of our Barry Smith, not only in ability wise but also fitness.  In Tom’s previous five fights he’s never been totally fit, but now he’s certainly never been fitter and he’s never had as much sparring as he has had since joining us at the TRAD TKO.

It’s great to have two young heavyweights involved on our first show.

From Spencer’s camp we have Kreshnik Qato, who again I’m sure I don’t need to say too much about. Everyone knows what a warrior Nik is.  His record
says it all.

Finally we have a late addition, Eddie (Ediz) Hussein, so late we don’t even have him on the poster. I’m really pleased to have Eddie on the show.  He’s another one that you know will always put on a fantastic performance.

So as you can see our first event may have been a little late coming but it’s here now and it’s going to be a great show.”

Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze headlines the Johnny Eames promoter “Two Tribes Go To War” event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 1st June 2013.

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available on line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town or from any of the fighters named.

www.tkoboxinggym.com

Mike Stafford Growing a Stable of Promising Boxers, Working with Miguel Gonzalez

(Stafford to be in Gonzalez’s corner for first time as a pro Thursday on ESPN2)

By Jose Santana Jr.

Mike Stafford, center, posing with Adrien Broner, left, and Rau’shee Warren, right. (Photo: R&R Promotions) CINCINNATI (May 2, 2013) – Most people who know Mike Stafford first came to know him as the trainer of Adrien Broner. That is changing rapidly. While Broner is Stafford’s most accomplished pupil to-date, he is quickly growing a name for himself as one of the best trainers in the sport, and along with that reputation, has come a growing crop of young fighters looking to make the most of their talents under his tutelage. One of those fighters is Cleveland’s Miguel Gonzalez, now training out of Cincinnati at Stafford’s gym at the Mount Auburn Rec Center. Gonzalez, 20-3 (15 KOs), was a 2008 U.S. Olympic team alternate and has made a solid pro career to this point. After losing twice early, he made some adjustments and rattled off 14 wins in a row before losing a year ago in a tough fight to Mike Dallas. Gonzalez has since relocated to Cincinnati to tighten up his game under Stafford. He will appearing in the co-main event on tonight’s special Thursday Night Fights broadcast on ESPN2. “Me and Mike have built a great relationship,” Gonzalez said in an interview with Antonio Castro of the Examiner.com. “He worked with me some while I was an amateur.” Gonzalez isn’t the only fighter to seek out the services of Stafford. His fellow Clevelander, Raynell Williams, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, is also training under Stafford now. Two more fighters have made the move to Cincinnati as well – Jamel Herring of Coram, N.Y., and Robert Easter Jr. of Toledo, Ohio. Herring and Easter were both members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Easter as an alternate. The aforementioned fighters are all in addition to his original group of guys, Broner, Rau’shee Warren, and Brandon Bennett, among others. Stafford’s work does not end with these pro fighters. For the past several years he has been working with the USA Boxing amateur program serving as a coach on the last two Olympic teams. He also gives attention to all the local youth who come to his gym instilling in them the basics of the sport. To catch Stafford and Gonzalez in their first fight working together in the pros, tune into ESPN2 tonight at 10 p.m. ET. His opponent is Venezuelan Miguel Acosta, 29-6-2 (23 KOs), a tough veteran and former WBA lightweight world champion.

R&R Promotions José Santana Jr. Staff Writer boxingconnection@gmail.com

Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham Backs Protégé Marianne Marston To Win On 27^th April In London

 By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

London – Tuesday,16th April 2013-  Ahead of his upcoming IBF Heavyweight Title Eliminator against Tyson Fury at Madison Square Gardens this coming Saturday, the 20^th April, former two-time Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham took a little time off from his final preparations, to send a message of support across the Atlantic to former ‘Team Cunningham’ boxer Marianne Marston, who will be fighting Latvian Aleksandra Jasjukevica at York Hall in London one week later on Saturday 27^th April.

Even though it is just a few days away from what many perceive to be the hardest fight of his career, Cunningham, who was once described by Bad Left Hook Magazine’s Scott Christ as ‘The World’s Nicest Man’, once again proved just what a genuinely nice guy he is, by contacting his former charge, British Featherweight Marianne Marston, and wishing her every success for her upcoming fight.

Marston, who now resides back in London and is trained by Barry Smith at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, was invited to become part of Team Cunningham following her move to The James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia, after her original ‘home’ gym, Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s Gym in North Philadelphia, closed in March 2008.

Under Cunningham’s tutelage Marston was set to debut in South Philadelphia in May 2009, however following her return to the UK in February of that year, to arrange her P1 Professional Athlete visa, things went sour for the ‘Golden Girl’ after the US Embassy refused her the visa, even though there had been no problems with her living in America whilst training and preparing for her planned professional debut.

Following his call of support, Cunningham briefly said of his former charge.

“It’s great to see Marianne finally getting her pro debut, she has been training hard for years and this is a long time coming!”  

Before adding, “I know she will be victorious, I only wish I could attend to cheer her on in person.”

Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham versus Tyson Fury takes place at Madison Square Gardens on Saturday 20^th April 2013 and will be broadcast live by NBC at 4pm EST in America and Channel 5 at 9.30pm in the United Kingdom.

Just one week later, on the 27^th April 2013, Marianne Marston versus Aleksandra Jasjukevica features on the undercard of Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne – Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight Championship clash which headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor)  and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com and www.mariannemarston.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA – www.tkoboxinggym.com – or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB – www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com – Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.mariannemarston.com

Amateur Star Iain Weaver to Debut on Apr 27^th York Hall Event

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

London – Tuesday,16th April 2013-  2010 Commonwealth Boxing Championship Gold Medalist and European Silver Medalist Iain Weaver has been added to the Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event (headlined by Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris, for the International Masters Welterweight title at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 27^th April).

Weaver, who was a pivotal member of Team GB Podium squad in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, sensationally became the 2009 ABA Champion with a 19-14 points win over Blain Younis, on his first senior outing.

The following year, Weaver won gold at the Commonwealth Boxing Championships in New Delhi.

On his way to the Gold Medal position, Weaver beat Olympic bronze medalist Bruno Julie, India’s Akhil Kumar, and in the final, Sri Lanka’s MDK Wanniarachchi.

With the Commonwealth Gold secured, next up was the European Championships, which in 2010 were held in Moscow.  Weaver defeated the Spaniard Rodrigues Molina 11-3 in the 1st round, then beat Sweden’s Bashir Hassan-Salad 8-3 in the second, and then Frenchman Oualid Belaoura in the quarter finals.

He then went on to beat Ireland’s Tyrone McCullagh in the semi-final to earn the right to face Germany’s Denis Makarov in the final.

The first round was an edgy affair as neither Weaver nor Makarov seemed to want to give anything away. There was more action in the second round, however, after which Weaver was mightily unlucky to be trailing 3-2.

In the final round, Weaver fought hard in his attempt to overcome the deficit; however, the judges continued to score points only for the German. At the end of the contest the scorecard read 7-2, in favour of Makarov.

There was little surprise, that with Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold and European Silver firmly in his possession, that Weaver was selected, ahead of London 2012 Gold Medalist Luke Campbell, to contest the main Commonwealth Games in 2010, which were again held in Delhi.

In the first round Weaver defeated Vusie Simelane of Swaziland 10-1, to set up a quarter final clash against home town favourite Kumar. Some good old fashioned ‘home cooking’ proved too much for the Englishman to overcome, leaving eventual Gold Medalist Kumar the 11-6 winner in front of the highly vocal home crowd.

After failing to be selected for the London 2012 Olympics Weaver announced his intention to turn professional.

Weaver will be making his debut, against a yet to be named opponent, on the undercard of the Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight Championship clash that headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27^th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor)  and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com and www.mariannemarston.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA – www.tkoboxinggym.com – or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB – www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com – Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.tkoboxoffice.com