Michael hoping for Devine intervention
This Saturday, novice pro Michael Devine (3-0) wants to find out just how good he is going to be. Fighting on his 21st birthday, the Luton lad is taking a fight that a lot of young fighters would avoid at an early stage of their careers.
Devine will take on 34-year-old Mark Alexander (8-4) in a four rounder. Most boxing fans will remember Alexander’s last outing - an action packed fight with Michael Brodie. Alexander had Brodie on the canvas in rounds one and three but couldn’t finish him off before Brodie turned the tide of the fight and stopped Alexander in the fourth.
Devine turned pro in June 2009 and Saturday will be his fourth fight. Between juggling the day job and training Michael is really enjoying the challenge.
“Well, things have totally changed since the days before I was pro. It's real hard work but I love what I do. I’m a landscaper in the day so I’m up at half four in the morning to go for a run then I go to work at five thirty and then straight to the gym after work.”
During his younger days Devine wasn’t sure which sport his future laid in. “I didn’t do a great deal of amateur fighting, I did some boxing as a schoolboy then I took some time out. I was playing football, then I tried some cage fighting and MMA stuff. But I found that boxing was the one for me, I was better with my hands so decided to stick with it.”
Now he has made his choice to follow a pro career he has found himself training in pretty good company. Michael feels his preparation for this test has gone according to plan.
“I train at Graham Earl's gym in Luton and I'm trained by James Paisley. I have been sparring with Martin Power for this fight. I’ve been to St Pancras and sparred with some top quality amateur lads. I’ve had plenty of sparring this time round. I am always ticking over in the gym and before a fight I do six weeks solid training and pure dieting.”
Michael is a sensible lad who knows what it takes to be successful in this game. He is also realistic about where his career can lead him and what he can achieve.
“At the moment I’m just taking it one step at a time but in my mind in think I can get to British level. Hopefully after this fight I will move up to six round fights. I will keep my feet on the ground and hopefully by the end of 2011 I will get a Southern Area title shot or something like that. Like I say at the moment its just one fight at a time.
“After this fight I’m trying to be a bit busier. I’ve got a big heart in the ring and the ability side of things is coming together now. When I first turned pro I didn’t have much head movement and with all the training I’m doing its all coming together well now. I’m hoping to be out again in May and then maybe have another three fights this year."
Confidence is one thing Michael is not short of. He knows what he’s up against on Saturday night but relishes the challenge of taking on a much older fighter.
“I got offered a couple of lads but I want to see how good I am, so I took this fight. It is a tricky fight and he is a good boxer. I know I can win and I will win. After this fight people are going to start recognising me when I do a good job on Alexander.
“I want to make a statement, I want to show people I’m not here to muck around and I’m serious about this game. I really want good fights and I want to please the crowd.”
Finally, Michael gave his prediction for the fight. If he does pass this tricky test then 2010 could be an exciting year for Michael and his team.
“I'm gonna win and I’m gonna win in style. I plan to make a statement on Saturday night. I know what I’m capable of and I know he’s an awkward fighter but at the end of the day I’m going to have more hunger than him. He’s 34 now and could be coming towards the end of his career. I’m going to have a real high work rate on Saturday and I know it's going to be an all action fight.”
Michael's fight with Alexander is part of a Goodwin Promotions fight card taking place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green.
