‘I WILL MAKE IT CONVINCING’
Skeete heads to Spain to pursue his EBU title dream this weekend
“I HOPE you like paella,” was how Andy Ayling, Bradley Skeete’s manager, revealed to his fighter he would have to go to Spain in order to win the vacant European welterweight title against Bilbao’s Kerman Lejarraga.
Humour might have downplayed the size of the task this Saturday (April 28), but Skeete, a British welterweight champion who successfully defended that belt three times, is simply grateful for the opportunity.
“I’ve just got a good feeling about this fight,” Skeete told Boxing News on the day he flew out to Spain. “He’s an unbeaten fighter with a good knockout ratio. From 24 wins, he’s knocked out 19. But, no disrespect, the only name on his record that stands out is Denton Vassell [Lejarraga stopped Vassell in four rounds in 2016]. And Vassell was at end of his career. He’d already been stopped by [Sam] Eggington and [Frankie] Gavin.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a tough fight. He’s a hard puncher, he’s world-ranked with the WBA, and I’m sure he’s unbeaten for a reason. I have to respect him. I put him up there with the likes of Eggington and Gavin in terms of opponents I’ve faced. But if I’m shouting out that I’m world level and good enough to win a world title, I can’t be losing to people like this. These guys I should be beating and beating well.”
Having won the British title outright, Skeete, 27-1 (12), certainly needs to move up a level. He knows that; his domestic rivals know that. Yet on Saturday night, as well as the power of Lejarraga, the skilful Londoner must cope with the noise of 11,000 Bilbao natives and the distinct possibility that he’s made to feel like the away fighter – from start to finish.
“He’s really well known in Bilbao and I’m sure it will be a sell-out,” Skeete says. “I know it will be hostile. But I’ll rise to it. When I boxed Eggington in Birmingham, I loved the atmosphere. I loved going into the other guy’s hometown. I thrive on that kind of feeling.
“When I hear boos, that gets me going. I want to shut them up. That’s when I’m at my best. I know I’m up against it, I know it will be hostile, but it’s just me and him in the ring. I’m really excited about that.
“As for the judges and referee, I just want a fair crack at the whip. It’s a vacant title. I’m not the challenger; he’s not the champion. I’m going to his hometown to fight him.
“I’m sure the judges and referee will be fair and that’s all I ask for. If I go out there and do a job but come home emptyhanded because I’ve been cheated, it will be disgusting. But I believe my style will be more than enough to get the win. If I win on points, I will make it convincing. If not, I will win by stoppage.”