ROCKY ROAD TO GLORY
Fielding is up for big chance
ROCKY FIELDING gets his chance for world title glory tonight when he takes on Tyron Zeuge in Germany.
But it was less than three years ago that he felt an awful long way from the summit of the supermiddleweight division.
Fielding, 30, went into his clash with local Liverpool rival Callum Smith hoping to be catapulted on to the world stage.
But seconds later it was all over as Smith sensationally stopped him inside the first round.
Fielding was devastated but it was quickly put into perspective when his mum, Carol, revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer – having kept it secret from her son before the fight.
As he prepared for a comeback clash with Christopher Rebrasse, he had to juggle training with taking his sick mum to hospital.
“She kept it secret from me as she didn’t want me distracted,” said Fielding, whose defeat to Smith is the only blemish on his 27-fight record.
“I had so much going on as my grandad was also sick with cancer before the Smith fight.
Nerves
“I was juggling my training for Rebrasse with taking my mum to her appointments at the hospital.
“I’d never use it as an excuse but it wasn’t a great time. Thankfully it looks good for her now.”
Fielding laboured to a points win over Rebrasse before becoming British champion a year later with a win over John Ryder. Then in a make-or-break fight with David Brophy, after teaming up with current trainer Jamie Moore, he finished the Scot off in the first round to put his world title hopes back on track.
“I had my nerves back for that fight, working with Jamie has helped me massively,” he said.
Not long before that Fielding’s son, Ralphi, was born – providing even more inspiration for him to become world champion.
He gets his chance tonight in Offenburg, southern Germany, when he faces unbeaten Zeuge for a version of the WBA title and the right to challenge for bigger fights down the line.
“My lad knew at the airport that something was going on as he didn’t want to let me go, he stuck to me,” added Fielding.
“He’s been asking my girl about where I’ve gone and saying I’ll be home with the belt on Monday.
‘‘Now I can’t wait to bring it home for him.”