‘IT’S A NEW ERA’
Pat Mccormack plans a welterweight takeover
DO you think you’ll be giving up your size advantage at 64kgs moving up to welterweight?
I think I’ve just took the size with us. I think I’m big for 69kgs already. I’ve been sparring 75s like Antony Fowler and there’s not going to be any 69s that hit as hard as him. So I’m used to the power now.
What’s sparring Fowler like?
It’s good. He’s a lot stronger. He hits a lot harder. I’m just hitting and moving, hitting and moving. But it’s good sparring. It’s getting us used to taking big shots from a bigger person.
Who else is around at 69gs? Who’s the competition for the number one spot?
Cyrus Pattison, he’s from my gym [Birtley]. I know Cyrus quite well. And Carl Fail, he’s on Development.
I’m not really looking at them, I’m looking around the world, the top kids in the world because that’s where I want to be.
[Daniyar Yeleussinov] he won the Olympics, he’s won the Worlds. I don’t think there’s much left for him to do. I think he should just go on now. [World champion, Mohammad] Rabbi went on, he’s turned pro. The French kid who won bronze [at the Olympics, Souleymane Cissokho], he turned pro. I think a few of them have gone pro. It’s a new era.
Do you reckon Roniel Iglesias will be number one at the weight now?
He’ll be one of them won’t he? He’s Olympic champion, very good fighter. But I’ll not fight him until the Worlds or if I get through the WSB I’ll fight him in the WSB.
What are the main targets for you this year?
The Europeans and the World championships 100%. I want to stay undefeated in the WSB. Keep my unbeaten record. I haven’t lost one yet. 3-0. I’m looking to keep it unbeaten. When was the last time you boxed in England?
The last time I boxed in WSB. That’s the only time I box in England really, when I box in WSB in York Hall. But I like it there, all the Birtley lads come down so I always have loads of support there. I like boxing there, it’s good. You’ve already got a European silver medal, but you’ll want the gold?
I thought I did win the gold last time. I thought I did win that fight, but I’ve got to make sure this time. Make sure I get the gold.
I’m looking at the Europeans, win them, and then do well at the Worlds too.