Johanneson: Words and Actions from the Quiet Man by Paul Concannon Jul 7th 2006

British Boxing.net caught up with Carl Johanneson today just days ahead of his eagerly anticipated clash with Billy Corcoran for the British Super-Featherweight title. Carl, one of British boxing's quiet men, had his say ahead of next Wednesday's York Hall clash. “Everything's going well, we are really happy with how the sparring is going now. I felt a little flat when I came back from the lay-off from my last fight (a two-round win over Andy Ferrans back in February) but everything has clicked now,” Carl told me. “Carl's problem is that he criticises himself too much, we cannot get sparring for him with guys his own size; every time he sparred someone his own weight he would just walk right through them, so he ends up sparring welters and light-middleweights, Carl is phenomenally strong for a man that size,” added Carl's trainer, manager and mentor, Rick Manners. “I sparred Junior Witter too,” continued Carl, “He was really good at making me look bad, Junior did his own thing but I handled the power okay, even though he did give me a couple of black eyes! I learned a lot from sparring Junior.” In a nutshell, Carl and Rick are more than happy with the fighter's progress; weight, fitness, gameplan and confidence are all on song, “Making weight will not be a problem, I am nearly there now,” said Carl, “Everythings gone well,” Said Rick, “It's tense in the gym, Carl is tense and moody, there is a lot of pressure, this is all or nothing for us, we know why we're here, and I want to achieve my goal of getting Carl what he wants. “I act as a buffer to take the pressure, all Carl has to do is box to the best of his ability, he is confident in his mind and strength. I can see how ready he is now. He's reaching that point of intensity. His concentration is exceptional. “By fight time, Carl will be the calmest man in the house, it's always like this. I have been struggling to sleep lately, even my weight's down about 4 kg,” laughed Rick, “I do get nervous before a fight, but by the time the first punch is thrown, I'm okay,” added Carl. This particular relationship fighter-manager relationship is a close and genuine bond that goes way beyond the concept of protecting an investment; Rick has taken a personal interest in Carl's well-being from the moment they teamed up some 12 months back, providing an apartment for his fighter and ensuring that the Super-Featherweight needs only concentrate on just one thing; boxing. Rick Explained, “Like all good father-son relationships, we have our moments, and I say things he doesn't agree with, but it's all about ensuring him dedicating himself to boxing. I didn't anticipate our relationship becoming so personal to me,” at which point Carl admitted, “He doesn't even let me have sex!” “A lot of people know and see Carl,” continued Rick, I cannot dictate where he goes. Kids always do things, Carl has some female attention and I just want to make sure I vet and screen them; I don't want him to come out of all this with some woman having taken him for his money!” Joked Manners. When the talk turns to Corcoran, the mood becomes a little more serious, “By fight time I will have seen a lot of footage of Billy, but on fight night it always changes and I might need a plan B. He's a nice fighter, but the way I see him, he's just another man who's in the way. I don't know what to expect so I expect anything and I don't make predictions, but Corcoran says he can fight at any pace, which is good, because a fast pace suits me. It could be all talk though, we will have to wait and see.” Now based back in Leeds after a spell in America, Carl has the added incentive of bringing the Lonsdale belt back to his beloved home city and the family and friends that reside here. 2004 was a hardly a vintage year for the Leeds contender. Personal tragedy with the loss of his girlfriend in America, and a subsequent stoppage defeat to Leva Kirakosayan saw a return home and new beginning, “It means a lot to be back here, I was down for a year and a half, and now I am back,” he said. “I love winning fights for my family and I cannot wait to get it on with Corcoran.” The Super-Featherweight division is, right now, a talent-packed one in the UK, with hot prospects like John Murray and Kevin Mitchell in residence. Carl, whose demeanour belies a steely inner confidence, and occasionally cheeky sense of humour, feels he may just be the best of the lot, “I feel like I am at the top of the list now. I have never been afraid to fight anyone. After Corcoran I would like to fight Alex Arthur, and next year go for a world title, but I'm not thinking about that now. All I am thinking about is Corcoran – my mind is on him, and winning this fight. “He's been saying stuff on the Internet about what's going to happen, but my message is simple; let's get it on.” Photos by Paul Concannon

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rick's a good trainer Feb 10th 2007, 14:48:39 by d_pactt I used to go to this gym about a year ago . I went here for about 2 months , I don't go here any more I go to burmantofts , rick manners gym had more running than boxing i would say though , but that's the thing whice made it stand out i thought , to other gyms I have been to . when you get in that ring it's mostly to do with leg power , if you have no leg power yout gonna get knocked down quick . anyway that's what I'm sayin , it's a good gym , if you want your kid to have disclepine , send them here , nd safe rick if ur reedin this , -kesh-