Getting to know...Michael Sprott by James Howard Feb 15th 2008

Fresh from returning  from Germany and turning 33 in January, Reading heavyweight Michael Sprott spoke to BBN's James Howard about how he started in boxing, some of the toughest men he has faced, and where he would like to go from here. Maintaining his habit for keeping good company in the sport, Sprott explained what he has been up to of late. "Recently I have just been in training; I have been in Germany sparring with [Alexander] Povetkin. I'm just generally staying in shape for any opportunity that comes my way." Having been close up to see some of the best of the division in action, Sprott is well placed to opine on Povetkin's potential, "I think he has got the tools to go all the way, although I am not sure if he is big enough to beat Klitschko. He has got the tools to do it though and he is only a fight away, he will fight the winner of Klitschko/Ibragimov." Indeed, the most recent contestants for the WBA championship bauble were former Sprott foes Matt Skelton and Ruslan Chagaev, leaving the Reading man in a good position to summarise. "I watched that fight in Holland. I think Matt did well, maybe he lost it a bit fitness wise with his age, I don't know. He started the best, but then Chagaev came back. From about the fourth round Chagaev was showing the cleaner shots and connecting with combinations." Michael's own career began at the age of 13, although he had tried to get it off the ground some five years earlier. "I started boxing at 13. I started because I was quite an active kid and my Dad used to watch Muhammad Ali and other great fighters so I just started to shadowbox and I was really ready to fight. My Dad wanted to take me down to the gym when I was about eight but my Mum said 'no', so he took me down when I was 13 and it all took off then." Recalling his first memory in boxing, Sprott reflected it was "going into the gym and smelling the leather and sweat and watching people working hard." After turning professional in the late part of 1996 under the guidance of trainer Terry Lawless, eleven straight wins were followed by a sixth round defeat to Harry Senior for the Southern Area title. Eight fights later (5-3-0, including a loss to Corrie Sanders and a home win and controversial away loss to Timo Hoffmann), Sprott was to take on Danny Williams in the first part of what would later become a trilogy. This bout for the Commonwealth belt ended with Sprott stopped in the seventh, having been called up with only a few days' notice. Sprott's mixed form continued throughout his career, with marvellous wins hugged by disappointing losses. Eight consecutive wins (six early) and Sprott was back at the party and rematch with Williams for the British title was arranged for September 2003. Sprott was unfortunate to lose the fight, floored by a left hook while complaining about apparently low blows from Williams. It was a case of third time lucky when the pair faced off again, Sprott worked hard and took the result courtesy of a 115-114. Then came Skelton as a first defence, with the Bedford Bear stopping Sprott in the twelfth round of the fight at Reading's Rivermead Leisure Centre. A win later (Robert Sulgan) and Michael found himself fighting for and winning the European Union heavyweight title against touted Cengiz Koc (then 21-0-0). Sprott, who rates Joe Calzaghe and Floyd Mayweather as best in Britain and the world respectively, became known for taking fights abroad (often Germany) against tough opponents, usually at short notice. Again, the belts were lost on the first defence as he was beaten by Olympian Paulo Vidoz. Another controversial decision loss In December as he was out pointed in Austria, by future European champ Vladimir Virchis. Fortunes flipped back and forth once more as Sprott won back the now vacant EU title with a good performance against veteran Antoine Palatis, before convincingly losing a WBO Eliminator in July 8 one-sided rounds by Skelton conqueror and current 'world' champ Ruslan Chagaev. As you might have predicted by the pattern to date, Sprott revisited a Germany for a tough assignment against undefeated southpaw home favourite Rene Dettweiller - and of course - Sprott won. This point's win came in Germany, against a home prospect with Sprott having had TWO points deducted! Sprott and Audley faced up to each other at Wembley three months later. Predictably unpredictable, Michael was knocked to the mat in round one before taking a perfect left hook shot on hot favourite Audley's chin - the shot knocked him out cold, and Audley for one reason or another hasn't fought since. The English title was now added to EU title that Sprott had won back in second home Germany, versus Dettweiller. Frank Warren claimed the winner of Sprott/Skelton would fight for a 'world' title. Despite mass derision from many including myself, it's something he has managed to pull off despite the poor quality of the fight that was an eliminator. Unfortunately for Michael, he wasn't at the races that night and Skelton out pointed him, despite also being way below par. Part of Sprott's appeal is the willingness he shows to fight whoever, wherever. It's a mantra many of us would like to see adopted by many others, and Sprott has produced some magnificent results against the odds. At times, I feel Sprott will only perform to his potential when he is against those odds. Analysing his own assets and the best parts of being a professional Sprott said, "My strength is my determination, my jab and my overall boxing skills as a heavyweight. "The best things about being a boxer are the discipline and the rewards that you get from it and you always stay in shape. [The worst part is] when you go off training a bit and you have to start up over again, that's probably the hardest thing - when you have to shed the weight." Discussing some of the tough assignments Sprott has faced in the ring, I ask who was the toughest. Unable to specify one fighter Sprott pondered before responding, "One of them is definitely Corrie Sanders." There have also been some tough men he has sparred in the gym, "I have sparred with loads... Luan Krasniqi, Alexander Povetkin, Jacklord Jacobs - he was good. In fact I would say the toughest was Jacklord Jacobs! I tell you what, I know he's not a contender but I've sparred some good guys and he was the best." When I ask who he'd consider a dream opponent he replies instantly, "Klitschko! Because he has got the main belt". So is that what he hopes to achieve in the sport? "I have to start again, obviously, but I'd love to fight for a version of a world title." Sprott has boxed full time for a couple of years now but hasn't fought since the encounter with Skelton. He would like to get a move on, "Hopefully I should have a fight coming up. I was chatting to my manager Jim Evans and hopefully I should be boxing again in April." While out of the square circle, the 33-year-old relaxes "trying to stay in shape and keep fit, I listen to a lot of music, and I just mingle with my family and friends. I am a big Reading fan, as well as an Arsenal fan. I have been to a few matches for Reading. Signing off from the interview Sprott wanted to pay tribute to those who have followed his fights, wherever they have been. "Thanks to my supporters in Reading and around Europe for all their support. I just hope they are still marching forwards with my career from here onwards. Watch out for me this year."

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Good luck Sprotty Feb 16th 2008, 11:56:12 by adamdaly Best of luck to Sprotty, one of the most genuine boxers around.