Brad Pitt on Super 8 favouritism, changing camps and more

 
BRAD Pitt will look to turn a career lifeline into a career best payday when the talented cruiserweight takes part in the second edition of the Super 8 in New Zealand tonight.

 
With talent to burn and a stack of unfulfilled potential, Pitt (15-1, 12 KOs) will roll the dice in the high-stakes knockout style tournament.

 
Pitt, 32, is understandably the favourite, given his amateur pedigree which lead him to gold at the Commonwealth Games, as well as his unique ability to finish fights inside of three rounds. Going into tonight, the former unified regional and national titlist has an impressive ten finishes inside of the opening three rounds.

 
The Victorian will go into the tournament against late replacement and genuine underdog Joseph Kwadjo.

 
The eight-man tournament boasts a mix of unheralded wildcards and long standing veterans including Daniel Ammann and Lance Bryant, while also including debutant Israel Adesanya, James Emerson, Monty Filimaea and potential threat Vaitele Soi.

 
In spite of his unfamiliarity with the line-up, Pitt is confident of his chances of winning the competition with relative ease.

 
“I’d have to agree, this format does suit me,” said Pitt in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “It’s a great concept with three explosive rounds that will no doubt entertain the crowd.”

 
“In terms of the opponents, none of them are a threat,” Pitt chuckled.

 
The Super 8 will also mark Pitt’s first fight under new head-trainer Dave Hedgecock, best known for his work with former IBF middleweight champion Sam Soliman. For the entirety of his professional career, Pitt had previously been under the astute tutelage of Lincoln Hudson.

 
When asked about the transitional process from one trainer to another, Pitt spoke with great praise for Hedgecock.

 
“The transition has been easy and I’ve enjoyed training camp,” Pitt explained. “It’s been intense and I felt I got fit fast. Dave has been excellent at picking up on and correcting a few bad habits I’d fallen in to.”

 
Although he speaks with a measured confidence in his ability, Pitt understands that winning the eight-man tournament is vital for him in order to gain the greatly desired rematch with David Aloua – who upset Pitt in April – taking Pitt’s world rating and regional belts in the process.

 
Pitt is hopefully of securing a rematch with Aloua, before chasing world title honours in the wide-open cruiserweight division next year.

 
“I am focused on the Aloua rematch and then a world title fight,” Pitt said in closing. “I need to keep my fitness up after this fight and stay focused,”

 
“I’ve got a great team around me with Dave Hedgecock, Boxer John and Brian Amatruda. I can see everything falling in to place quite nicely in 2015.”

 
 
Words: Brock Ellis
Photo: Photoworld