On Friday night at the iconic Liverpool Olympia, Ste Harkin challenges for his first professional title as he faces Doncaster's Jason Ball for the vacant light middleweight British Masters title. The fight will provide chief support to Derry Mathews' IBO world title challenge against Italian lightweight Emiliano Marsili.
Having successfully made the championship limit on the scales, "Sparkin' Harkin" spoke exclusively to Blue Kipper to discuss a busy weekend for the city's boxing scene.
Interview by Matt McCormack
You've just weighed-in, talk us through your routine between now and getting in the ring tomorrow night...
I'll go for something to eat now, which I've been looking forward to! And just take it easy. I've got nothing planned tonight, I'll probably just watch a bit of the soaps, Eastenders and that, watch the telly and relax that way. I'm off work tomorrow so I'll have a little lie in, get up at about 9 o'clock and have my breakfast then same again really, just chill out and relax. I might even go and have a look at the weigh-in for Saturday's bouts before going to the Olympia. [Liverpool heavyweight David Price headlines against John McDermott on Saturday night at same venue]
You're up against Jason Ball for the British Masters light middleweight title, what do you know about your opponent?
I don't know much to be honest but he's an ex-cage fighter. My coaches have looked at him on YouTube and things like that. Having watched him they've said with him coming from an MMA background, he's very flat footed, throws a weak jab and just looks for a big right hand all the time. What you make of that I don't know. Things change when you get in there and you have to adapt. I never look too much at my opponent, I just get in there and do what I do.
It'll be your fist 10 round fight. How has training gone?
Yeah. Obviously it's a big difference. I've only done six rounds once before so doing the ten - it's going to be a big step up for me - but I've trained hard for it, I'm looking forward to it and I know I've got it in the tank.
I suppose you have prepared differently for this than you did for the three round format in Prizefighter?
Yeah it's a lot different to Prizefighter. But as I say, the training has been hard. I've had some good, tough, hard spars with different opponents and me staying in [the ring] all the time so I know for a fact that'll help me. I'm not questioning my stamina and I know I'll be there.
What did you take from your Prizefighter experience? Tomorrow's fight gives you more exposure with it being live on BoxNation (Sky Channel 456)
Well firstly, this side of things with the press conferences and interviews. Prizefighter was the first time I'd really done any of that, which I wasn't used to but I've got that experience now. I'll be relaxed more, I've been on the television now so that [the added pressure] doesn't bother me. I'm just looking forward to getting in there now and getting that first belt.
How highly do you rate the Olympia as a boxing venue?
I love it, you can't beat it. It's old fashioned but that's what it's all about. It's a cold place though, it's freezing cold in those changing rooms! It's not far from where I live so I've got a lot of people coming to watch and Derry is the same. Like all the Liverpool lads, it's on our doorstep so hopefully it'll be a full house and everyone will get behind us all and create a good atmosphere.
A lot of fighters say that a boxing ring is the same no matter where it is but does it make a difference when it's in your hometown?
Yeah of course it does because you can hear the fans a lot more and it gives you that little bit more of a kick if you know what I mean.
What are your thoughts about providing the chief supporting contest on a bill full of local talent?
I can't ask for much more. It's my first title fight which is always going to be big for me on a personal level but to be fighting on the undercard of a world title fight, and it being someone like Derry who has been there and done it, you can't ask for much more. So I'm really looking forward to it.
And just a few words on the Blues. It's been a bit of a disappointing season so far...
You saw the disappointment on my face as soon as you said that! To be honest, we all knew it was going to be a tough season from the start. Everybody knew that and not much has changed. It's going to be tough but hopefully we'll grind out the results between now and the end of the season and do as well as we can. There's no money there so we just have to get on with it. Like I was saying to you before, I think Gibson is a good signing and Donovan has been brilliant since he came back. He's a good player and I'd like to see us keep hold of him for a bit longer if we can, but we'll wait and see.
Good luck Ste. Bring that belt home!
A handful of tickets remain and will be available on the door at the Olympia, with the first bout taking place at 6pm. The bill will also be screened live on BoxNation (Sky channel 456)
More details can be found at www.vaughanboxing.tv and www.boxnation.tv
Email Bluekipper at enquiries@bluekipper.com
