Is Britain's cruiserweight division about to be Conquered?

This Saturday, unbeaten Romford fighter Tony ”The Conqueror” Conquest takes part in his sixth pro bout as part of a bill in Dagenham. Tony will be looking to continue his impressive start in the paid ranks.  He has been matched against the Ghanaian cruiserweight champion Prince George Akrong in his first eight round contest.  Tony hasn’t just dipped his toe into pro boxing, he’s dived right in. During his first five fights he has taken on and beaten some tough competitors.

“Everyone boxes some journeymen type fighters to begin with, I remember I gave away some weight in my first fight with Bobby Scott who was a back foot fighter and just wanted to stay away from me. Nick Okoth was a good fight for me, I never expected in a million years to stop him early.

“The John Anthony fight was a big learning fight, my corner told me come out and box around this bloke. He fought my mate Mickey Steeds and he had him over. Anthony is an awkward fighter who crouches and looks like he is cowering away from you but he is really loading up those big right hands, I tell you what they don’t half hurt.

“Last time out I fought Hastings Rasani, he can be dangerous . It wasn’t all hell for leather and there wasn’t bundles of action, but I boxed him how I needed to and got the win. He’s upset a few people, including a good friend of mine Leon Williams."

Going back to his amateur days, Tony enjoyed it and did well for himself but deep down I think his mind was on one thing, turning pro.

"I had 27 amateur fights, 22 of them senior bouts. I had just turned 25 when I turned pro and before that I had won the North East Divs three times and got through to the semi finals of the ABA’s. I had been considering going pro for a while, its wasn’t that my heart wasn’t in amateur boxing anymore I just wanted to make that transition before it got too late. I’ve always dreamed about winning the Lonsdale belt so I felt that the time was right to go pro. I spoke to my Manager Richard Clark, signed some paper work and that was that.”

Essex boy Tony has fallen on his feet. He is lucky enough to be trained as a pro by former British light-welterweight champion Jason Rowland who knows the game inside out.

“I train at the Noble Art gym in Rainham, being trained by Jason has worked out really well. He is a very technical trainer which is what I want really. Everything we work on has to be perfect, he likes things to be spot on. He likes to push you hard but by now he knows what I'm all about and knows exactly how hard to push me in training."

Being a pro boxer takes commitment, at the start of a boxing career it's not all about the flashing lights of Las Vegas. Most young pros juggle their fighting with a day job, Tony is no different but wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Ah I’m completely loving it, enjoying it a lot more than I did the amateurs, it’s a different kind of training and it nice to get the head guard off! It has it's good days and bad days. Sometimes when I've been digging all day in the pouring rain and I’ve been up since 5 o’clock running it can get you down a bit but if you want something bad enough you just make it work for you."

As in any job, you have to learn the ropes, young pro boxers are no different. The early part of a fighters career is critical to their progression into the finished article.

“I feel like I’m improving all the time, my fitness has always been my main strength, I’ve always prided myself on my fitness. I’ve been sprinting this morning and sparred twelve rounds tonight too. The main thing is to learn from Jason and do exactly what he shows me. I think I’ve come on leaps and bounds in the last year.”

Over the years many cruiserweights have tried their luck in boxing's flagship division, the heavyweights. I asked Tony if he had any plans regarding mixing it with the big boys.

“I don’t think I will ever be big enough for a heavyweight, I’m just not that naturally big. I have sparred them in the gym. I sparred Ali Adams (who was in the last heavyweight Prizefighter) who isn’t a massive heavyweight but is a big strong fighter, these guys are just that little bit too big for me. I could box them on the outside but at some point I would have to stand and trade with them and that’s when I could come unstuck.”

Every fighter must set themselves goals when they first start out, well, this sports all about winning titles isn’t it? Tony’s goals are clear and concise, he knows what he wants and hopefully he will achieve them.

“I just want that Lonsdale belt, I would love to go and win and defend the British title. They will be burying me still smiling if I win that. If you look back in history a lot of our best fighters all won the Lonsdale belt. It's something to show your kids and your name will always be in the record books. Anything above and beyond would be great, but its all about the Lonsdale belt for me."

Tony is fighting Saturday night in Dagenham as part of Steve Goodwin’s “Essex Eruption” bill which also features Ryan Barrett and Pat McAleese.