The Prizefighters - Dave Ferguson by Emerson De-Verne-Ghent Sep 11th 2008

The last of the boxers to face the BBN interview before tomorrow night's Prizefighter tournament at Newcastle Arena is the hometown(ish) favourite, David Ferguson. Ferguson is in a unique position as he took part in the first tournament in April at the York Hall in Bethnal Green. He beat Billy Bessey in a thriller in the first round of fights and then lost to the eventual winner, Martin Rogan, in the semi-final. He was the only opponent Martin faced that didn't have to take a count. Name: David Mark Ferguson Age: 32 Pro record? 7 wins (2 by knockout) and 1 loss Birthplace: North Shields Where you live now: Wallsend Age first started boxing: I've been boxing all my life (laughs), I was probably 7 or 8 years old when I started. Who introduced you to the sport: My Dad. He used to take me to amateur classes. First amateur club: Benfield ABC in Newcastle upon Tyne. Memories of your first amateur fight: I can't remember my opponent's name, but I can remember the fight. I remember being absolutely shattered after 30 seconds. He'd had six amateur fights and won them all, but I've been thrown in at the deep end all my life. Amateur career: I can't remember exactly, but I competed in around 50 to 60 amateur bouts and I won somewhere around 40 fights. I began at novice level in the army where I lost to Shane Cameron (a heavyweight from New Zealand with a record of 21 wins and 1 loss who's currently the IBF Pan-Pacific and WBO Oriental heavyweight champion) in the semi-finals, then when I left the army I fought in the ABAs twice. At the first attempt I lost in the ABA quarter-finals to Carl Baker (former British Masters heavyweight champion) and then the following year I missed the ABAs and took some time off. Then, the year after, I lost to Derek Chisora in the quarter-finals even though I'd been off for 18 months and had no sparring. Memories of pro debut: I cruised the first two rounds against David Ingleby then he came back to make it a very tough debut. Where you train: I train in two locations; Tommy Conroy's gym and Newcastle ABC. Usual training routine: On a typical day I'll go for a run at 6:00 in the morning, or sparring, and then at midday I'll alternate (depending on whether he's been sparring, or been running that morning). Afterwards I'll go to Tommy's or Newcastle ABC for pad work. At least three times a week I'll also go weight training, which will either be impact training or muscle building. Likes and dislikes about being a boxer: Well, I like winning fights (laughs) and the pay day at the end! I dislike the politics in the sport and bad losers but fortunately most of the guys in the sport are really nice. Superstitions: When I was in the amateurs I believed in superstitions, for instance putting your left boot on first, but now I just think “what's meant to be is meant to be” and I feel that's the best way of looking at it because it drains you mentally. Biggest influence on your boxing career: My Dad, obviously. He's been training me since I was a kid and he pushed me into the sport. When I was a kid I felt like I had to impress my Dad, but now it's nothing to do with my Dad. I do this for myself. He still gives me advice and I wouldn't be where I am today without him. Married, girlfriend or single: It's complicated (laughs). I've got a girlfriend at the moment, but it's complicated (laughs). Kids: Yeah, I have three kids aged 1, 7 and 11 years old. Car you drive: I drive a Subaru Impreza. Boy racer, eh (laughs)?! I use it to go to Sunderland. I had a Jeep beforehand but it used to take me ages to get there. Favourite food: Got to be Chinese, when I'm not training. Just the basics. I'm scared of trying anything else, something like special friend rice. Favourite TV: Crimewatch UK, Deal or No Deal and Friday Fight Night. Favourite film: Rocky 3. Favourite music: 50 Cent. I use one of his tracks (You Don't Know) for my ring entrance. Favourite book: The Bible. Favourite current boxer: Hmm, let me think. Danny Hughes (Sunderland Heavyweight with a record of 4 wins and 0 losses) Favourite all-time boxer: Lennox Lewis. Other sporting interests: I despise football. I watch the England matches in the World Cup, but I'm not a big fan of club football. I like watching UFC. At first I wasn't impressed, but, after watching it for a bit, I've started to get into the sport. Hobbies and interests outside of sports: Not really. I've been brought up with boxing all my life so I'm boxing mad. I talk about boxing all the time, even to my girlfriend. When I first met her she didn't know anything about boxing, but now she knows all the terms like boxing on the back foot. She knows as much as me now! Wild card question - Because you've fought in the Prizefighter tournament before, is there any changes that you've made to your training regime, or attitude, that will allow you to improve upon last time: I've made a few changes to my training, but I don't want to say otherwise the others boxers will do it! I've improved on my stamina, although I was fit the last time. Billy (Bessey, his first opponent in the last tournament) just fought the fight of his life and I stood up to (Martin) Rogan. If I hadn't been fit he would've stopped me. I've cut down a little on the weight training, as in the last tournament I went looking for the big punch. This time I'm not going to do that. If you were a bookie, what odds would you make yourself for Prizefighter: I've got to be one of the favourites, haven't I?! However looking at this tournament I think it's tougher on paper. Prizefighter tickets cost between £25 and £70 and can be bought from www.theprizefighterseries.com or by calling 0844 493 6666.

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