Getting to know...Ryan Rhodes by James Howard Apr 16th 2008

With time rapidly closing in on the bell ringing in Ryan Rhodes' challenge for Gary Woolcombe's British title, Sheffield's former ‘Spice Boy' spoke to BBN's James Howard about his preparation for the fight, how his friendship with Naseem Hamed stands now and the all to familiar tale of watching too much sport for his wife's liking. Nice guy Rhodes reports back that his training has been going as well as he could hope for, “Its going fantastic, I couldn't have asked for a better prep - everything has gone absolutely to a tee. Everything is spot on, sparring went well, and my weight is absolutely fine and with a week to go everything is great. “I can't wait, I can't wait. I'm absolutely buzzing, this last week has dragged a little bit because I am so excited, the buzz is back and I'm so motivated I can't wait." Rhodes has been in the ring even longer than one thinks, he began practising the noble art aged six. “I was six years old when I started boxing and I was a bit of a tearaway, getting up to mischief and my Mum took me down to Brendan Ingle's gym and it all started from there. “My first memory was being at the City Hall (Sheffield) watching Herol Graham boxing for the light-middleweight title, I think I must have been nine or ten at the time.” Despite turning pro in his teens, the former British champion and WBO title challenger amassed a decent no paid log, “Yes I had a decent amateur career, I had 67 amateur fights and I think I lost twelve or thirteen. I won four national titles and I boxed for England so I had a decent amateur record. And which fighters did Ryan grow up watching? “I used to watch Hagler, Hearns and Leonard on Saturday Grandstand or something like that. I can remember watching them when I was really young coming through, and then Mike Tyson as I got a bit older. Those guys inspired me and got me going.” Pondering on his ring strengths Rhodes answered “Obviously experience now," before adding, “Speed, power and I think I am a massive light-middleweight. I wasn't necessarily a big middleweight but at light-middleweight I think I am absolutely huge.” As with most fighters I have interviewed of late, this boxer gives the accolades of best British and world fighter respectively to Joe Calzaghe and Floyd Mayweather. He names his Jamaican conqueror Otis Grant as his toughest opposition to date. With his eyes firmly cast on Woolcombe's British title, I wondered what might happen should he win. “Obviously I am not looking past Woolcombe at the minute, but a dream fight would be someone like commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce or soon to be European champion Jamie Moore. I think they would be really good British fights for me once I win the British title. I am promoted and managed by Frank as well so making the fight with Bradley Pryce shouldn't be a problem.” Training in Rotherham with Dave Coldwell twice a day everyday and once on Saturday and Sunday is not a problem for the Sheffield light-middleweight who enjoys the graft. “I enjoy all kinds of training, obviously it gets really hard but the feeling after a good training session, well you don't feel as good after doing anything else. I think the hardest part for most boxers is the dieting but obviously as I said with the discipline it becomes easier.” The aspect of boxing Rhodes has found most rewarding is the discipline. “I think it's the discipline it gives you, obviously you get the fitness too but I think it's the discipline. There is a lot of discipline in boxing and you have to say no to a lot of things. You learn to cope with that, well I have anyway, the length of time I have been professional, self-discipline is really good for me." The former WBO and IBF Intercontinental title holder recalls some of his early sparring. “When I was young coming through, I remember being 18 and just turning pro I went over to spar Henry Wharton and I'd only had about four or five pro fights. I went to Leeds for the week to spar with Henry Wharton and really nice kid and I had a really good spar with him. “Then I used to go to Germany, I sparred with Beyer, Ottke - they brought me on quite a lot because obviously they were world champions at the time. That time in my career I thought I moved on pretty fast sparring with more experienced world champions.” And what for the future? There is no doubt where this former Ingle man sees the journey going. “I want to fight for a world title at light-middleweight, that's the goal for me. My opportunities for a world title came at middleweight and as I explained I was never the biggest middleweight out there but I am big for a light middleweight and I want a chance to fight for a world title, that's my goal, that's the ambition of mine." Without a particular preference to box in any one venue over another, Ryan has boxed on some good shows and is pleased to be fighting in Bethnal Green again. “Obviously I fought Lockett at Cardiff Arena and there were 22000 there. I boxed on the Full Monty at the Sheffield Arena. I have boxed on decent shows but venues I am not sure, I like to fight anywhere. Bethnal Green is a proper boxing venue, a boxing home, I have boxed there two or three times and when we sell out the next one its going to be a wicked atmosphere.” To relax Rhodes spends time with the wife and kids and is into sports in general. “I like a bit of everything, all kinds of sports. I'll go and watch the football now and again, I like playing golf, I watch all sports. My wife gets sick of my Sky Sports being on constantly, she gets right upset with me, and now I have Setanta as well its even worse for her.” As early pros and best pals I wondered if Rhodes was still in touch with the man he taught to flip over the ropes, the Prince, Naseem Hamed. “Every now and again I'll phone him or get a phone call from him but it's just rare that we see each other, or even speak - about once a month. I think when Dave was at Amir's fight before last he sat with Naz and he mentioned that he might try and make the fight. Whether he does or not I don't know, but he did say he would try and make the fight.” Before finishing the interview the extremely confident sounding 31-year-old had a word of warning for his prey. “I am so excited, I can't wait for next week and Woolcombe is in for a big shock. If people think I am struggling to make the weight then they are obviously big time mistaken because I have seen that mentioned quite a lot. All you are going to see next Friday night is speed and power and its going to be a fantastic night for Ryan Rhodes – winning again eleven years on from winning the British title.” It's good to have him back.

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Please explain Apr 17th 2008, 08:24:05 by grinter1 sat with Naz and he mentioned that he might try and make the fight. Whether he does or not I don't know, but he did say he would try and make the fight.” Exactly what is being talked about here? Try and make what fight? Ed. responds - What Ryan is saying is that Naz told him he would try and attend this Friday's fight - Gary Woolcombe v Ryan Rhodes.