In footsteps of Rocky
TOWNSVILLE heavy hitter Mark “Bam Bam” Flanagan will be taking direct inspiration from the Rocky films as he prepares for his next world title bout.
Flanagan, 28, yesterday left for Philadelphia where the steps leading up to the city’s Museum of Art were made famous by Sylvester Stallone in the blockbuster Rocky.
He will stay in Philadelphia and spar with former world champion Steve Cunningham to prepare for his WBA cruiserweight world title fight against unbeaten Arsen Goulamirian on October 20 in France.
“I will spend two weeks in Philadelphia just for my sparring,” Flanagan said.
“( Cunningham) is one of the best sparrers in the world.”
Flanagan is heading into his bout against the Armenianborn Frenchman with confidence after taking out the World Boxing Association Oceania Cruiserweight Title in March, knocking out opponent Mauricio Barragan.
It will be the second time Flanagan has fought overseas.
But he will be looking to improve after he lost to formi- dable Russian Denis Lebeev last year.
“It was a hard fight. I fought a legend of the sport in his backyard,” Flanagan said. “I know where I went wrong, and I won’t be doing that again.
“This could be one of my last chances of winning a world title.”
Flanagan, who has lost just five fights, has previously spoken of his frustration at not throwing enough punches in Russia.
“My corner was telling me to let my hands go and I should have thrown a lot more because I was hitting him when I did. It will be a different story in France,” he said.
But now he has more to fight for after becoming the father to a son six weeks ago.
He said he should get the better of 30- year- old Goulamirian, who has not lost a professional fight in 23 bouts dating back to 2013, having watched him in training.
“He’s a good fighter, strong – physically strong,” he said. “We fight with a very similar style. I’m confident. I haven’t left any stone unturned.”
Flanagan’s fight against Goulamirian will be held at the Palais des Sport in Marseilles.
I’M CONFIDENT. I HAVEN’T LEFT ANY STONE UNTURNED. MARK FLANAGAN