No-one will beat me in front of my home crowd.
That was the confident prediction from Calum French ahead of his appearance at the World Series of Boxing match in Gateshead on Friday, February 16.
The 22-year-old, one of Britain’s success stories of 2017, is aiming to open the year in style for GB’s Lionhearts against the Croatian Knights.
It is the first British WSB event to take place outside London and French is counting down the days to his night under the spotlight in his home town.
“To be honest no-one is going to beat me in front of my home crowd,” said the Birtley ABC star, whose club is just down the road from the Gateshead Leisure Centre.
“It’s massive for the town and massive for the club.
“We don’t often get the chance to box in England, never mind on home soil.”
French was this week working out at Sunderland AFC, but recently returned from a training camp in Colorado Springs, where Team GB boxers were put through a punishing regime.
“It was hard work,” said the European Championship bronze medallist.
“We were training at altitude where it was harder to breathe because there is less oxygen.
“We got a bit of a beasting, it was certainly hard work, and the sparring was excellent.
“The American team was there and so were the Poland and New Zealand squads.
“It was great preparation in the lead up to the WSB match and all the fitness and sparring is in the tank.”
French is confident of making further progress this year.
He was thrilled to get to spar, and acquit himself well, against one of USA’s Rio 2016 stars, Shakur Stevenson.
“It was a great spar,” said the lightweight. “You can’t get much better than being in the ring with the Olympic silver medallist. “The only way to get smarter as a fighter is to box the smart opponents.
“Stevenson is very smart! It was a bit of a chess match and brilliant experience.
“The Polish and New Zealand lads rushed in at 100 miles per hour and you could pick them off.
“But sparring with America? That was a thinking game, but for me getting all the different styles will make me a better boxer.”
French anticipates a difficult assignment against Croatia at Gateshead Leisure Centre.
“Assuming Croatia send their man and not use a guest, he’ll be a good test,” said the 22-year-old, who boasts a 100% WSB record for the Lionhearts.
“I saw the Croatian at the Euros and he’s not a bad kid, a come-forward pressure boxer.”
For tickets for the WSB international, go to www.gbboxing.org.uk/tickets
