Interview – Declan Warrington
BN: Now that you’ve had a break, what is your plan for the future?
I am scheduled to fight at the end of July but waiting for the promoters and managers to arrange opponents. I part-manage my career, so I do have a say, but I mostly follow what they advise. I am willing to grab opportunities if paid fairly. George Warren and I had a meeting to explore options but not many are willing to fight me without a title. I’m eager to fight as soon as possible, and I would rather say I went for it than constantly regretting not fighting. During COVID, I lost five family members, which taught me that life can be short, and when given an opportunity, we must seek it.
BN: How do you feel watching your fight with Artur Beterbiev?
Watching the fight as a fan, it was entertaining with heavy shots, and I gave it my all. I am proud that I gave Beterbiev his hardest fight to date since I have hardly any experience and have received criticism. When analyzing myself, I became happy with what I did in the ring since I gave him the fight he respects and affirmed through his relief when the match ended. Tunde Ajay, my trainer, and I will have a watch party to establish the things we did right and incorporate them into our future training sessions.
BN: How do you view the proposed Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol fight?
I genuinely think the fight won’t happen since I took so much out of Beterbiev, and he has never appeared relieved in any fight like when I fought him. Also, two Russian champions fighting is almost unlikely to happen since nobody wants to go through that. Beterbiev pressures his opponents and makes them scared to throw punches, making them surrender. Bivol is technically sound, but I don’t think he can keep Beterbiev from the center of the ring.
BN: What is your take on Canelo potentially fighting a light heavyweight, Bivol?
I’m happy for him since he has earned it from years of hard work and could go into exhibition fights and still make a living. Nonetheless, Bivol wins the rematch since Canelo is not a light heavyweight.
BN: Thoughts on Joshua Buatsi’s performance against Pawel Stepien?
I think styles make fights, and I still think I can beat Buatsi since we have never sparred. A fight like Buatsi requires a good promotional buildup since it is a pay-per-view fight.
BN: How do you see Beterbiev’s fight with Callum Smith ending up?
Beterbiev is likely to win, but since I hit him hard, there’s the question of what I took out of him. Smith is a good fighter since he is long and rangy, and it will be interesting to see what unfolds.