OUT OF NOWHERE

Birtley’s Thomas Hodgson on the best job in the world

WHAT have you got coming up?

At the minute I’ve got a hand injury but there’s a tournament in November time. There’s a Cuba training camp in January [with GB]. I went to America at the start of the year, in Colorado Springs, training with the USA team and that was quality work.

Probaby at the moment the Cuban [Lazaro Alvarez] is the best lightweight in the world. There’s a Russian that just came through as well [Albert Batyrgaziev]. The Cuban is quality. How long have you been on GB?

Not long. I came out of nowhere really, no one really knew us. The first time I was in the ABAS I won them. Then I got trials [with GB]. I got on pretty soon.

They put you on a three month trial and I got on pretty quick. My first tournament was in February. I was boxing in the European under 22s but I got cut in the first fight and I couldn’t continue on. I was up on the scorecards as well.

How bad was it?

It was a bad one… I’ve had nicks, little cuts, but that was a major cut that. It was a big one.

Was it all thanks to the ABAS that got you on to the squad?

Yes, winning the ABAS, then I went in the Tri Nations and got beat off Mickey Mcdonagh in a close fight. I thought I could have won it but it was one of them.

Next year’s the big year with the qualifiers [for the Olympics].

Who did you box in the ABAS?

I boxed Mason Smith in the semifinal. I wasn’t seeded, I wasn’t seeded at all. He was the number one seed and I boxed him in the semis. Me and Mason had a cracking bout. Then I beat Callum Thompson, who’s on GB now, in the final.

I boxed in every round. In Tyne Tees & Wear, I boxed twice in the regional round… Then went on to the later rounds and won them.

I did do it the hard way, but that’s the best way to do it. No one can say nothing then. I wanted it the hard way if the truth be told.

The bout with Mickey Mcdonagh in the GB championships was close?

I was too relaxed. I was too relaxed going into the fight. I didn’t have one bit of nerves. The first round I couldn’t switch on… It was just on the day.

How have you found it in Sheffield with GB?

Class. Top sparring. Though in my home gym Birtley I’ve got the best sparring in England, Pat [Mccormack], Luke [Mccormack], [Calum] French. But obviously coming down here is good, mixing with other countries all over the world. You get paid for it, it’s the best job there is. Travel the world, have a fight. It’s the best job in the world.