Risk and reward for Pampellone
Jerome Pampellone is a boxer in a hurry who knows there can be no slip-ups.
Pampellone, a natural lightheavyweight, takes a risk by stepping up to cruiserweight to fight Nik Charalampous at the Auckland Museum tonight, eager to keep his momentum building.
Despite the frustrations of the Covid pandemic, Pampellone has crammed 11 fights into the last 15 months, winning them all impressively to launch an exciting professional career after the disappointment of narrowly missing Olympic selection for the Tokyo Games.
Keeping an unbeaten record is paramount for any boxer with world title ambitions, and those in the know see the stylish Pampellone having world-class potential.
He’s been taken on the books of leading Australasian promoter Dean Lonergan and already made a successful Australian debut. More fights there beckon.
But first there’s the not insignificant hurdle of Charalampous to negotiate on a card presented by Auckland promoter Nick Randell of Podis Boxing.
Charalampous, 29, believes his experience (20-5) and weight advantage could prove too much for Pampellone, claiming the prospect ‘‘might have bitten off more than he can chew’’ in a headline fight that will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
Pampellone, voicing the necessary confidence of a rising star, has shrugged that off. ‘‘I think it’s a great fight for me at this time of my career,’’ he said.
‘‘He’s a tough opponent, he’s really experienced, so I’m just looking forward to going out there and showing everyone why I amat that top level.
‘‘It’s always a risk because he is a bigger opponent. But I just feel it’s a good fight for me. I’ve fought a couple of cruiserweights, and I’ve had great sparring with David Light.’’
Pampellone has also had significant sparring with Charalampous which adds spice to this fight.
‘‘In sparring you are learning things, in the fight you are there to win.’’
Pampellone is deep into a plumbing apprenticeship that has helped finance his budding career under the astute guidance of trainer Isaac Peach.
Being a full-time professional is close to being a reality, and it’s only victories against increasingly more difficult opponents that will achieve that.
‘‘I guess everything happens for a reason,’’ Pampellone said of missing the Olympics on the back of a 45-7 amateur record.
‘‘When I first started boxing, being a pro is what I wanted to do. Now I’m a pro, I’m happy, and I’m just hungry to be the best and keep learning.’’
Pampellone, 25, should have too much hand speed and movement for the durable Charalampous in this six-round fight. He can’t afford to look past his fellow Aucklander, but he knows there will be rewards in victory.
‘‘I love fighting so keeping busy is my main goal. I’m hoping to go back to Australia and fight the top people and show who I am.’’
Pampellone is buzzing with the impact Kiwis are starting to make on the international scene in the wake of Joseph Parker’s heavyweight success. It’s a good time to be on the rise.
Junior Fa and Hemi Ahio have fashioned solid international careers. Pampellone’s good mate David Nyika is on the trail as Light and Andrei Mikhailovich also start to make their mark outside of New Zealand.
‘‘It’s cool to see all these Kiwis out there and showing the world we are up there with the best fighters,’’ Pampellone said.