Jack Brubaker talks Paddy Murphy, recent improvements and more

 
JACK Brubaker is out to prove he is the best welterweight in Australia not named Jeff Horn.

 
The convivial Cronulla product will make the first defence of his recently acquired OPBF welterweight strap against former Australian title challenger Paddy Murphy on Saturday night at Sydney’s Netball Central.

 
As training camp winds down and the weight cut begins to reach its pivotal stages, Brubaker is as assured as ever.

 
“Paddy as a boxer, from what I’ve seen, is very standard,” said Brubaker in an interview with Aus-Boxing.

 
“I see his biggest strength being the use of his range as he’s tall and rangy, like myself.”

 
In Murphy, 29, Brubaker is facing a fighter that has been inactive for the best part of sixteen months, with his last outing coming in the form of a decision loss to reigning Australian welterweight champion Rivan Cesaire.

 
With that in mind, the 24-year-old unified regional titleholder expects to face a reinvigorated Murphy.

 
“I believe Paddy is coming to fight – and he thinks he’s capable of beating me – this was just extra motivation for me in the gym. This is the best camp I’ve had and there’s no way that I’m losing.”

 
Like many aspiring professionals, Brubaker has sacrificed a lot to commit himself full-time to the sport. With his short stint as a full-time fighter already producing two regional titles, the gamble appears to have paid off.

 
“Boxing is the hardest yet most rewarding sport in the world,” he added.

 
“Over the years I’ve made many sacrifices, lost many friends, those who didn’t believe in me – and wanted me out drinking for their birthdays – even though I would be close to a fight,”

 
“In saying that, boxing has given me many new friends, who strive to make me a better person and fighter,”

 
Brubaker (9-1-1, 4 KOs) credits much of his improvement to Sydney-based trainer Graham Shaw, the man who has famously served as the long-time head trainer for former unified middleweight champion Daniel Geale.

 
Under Shaw’s guidance, Brubaker believes he is one of the best emerging talents in the welterweight division.

 
“If I’m fit, healthy and have Graham Shaw in my corner as my head coach, I can beat any welterweight in Australia, with the exception of Jeff Horn,”

 
“I believe in a couple more fights under Graham, I will be on that level and on the world stage.”

 
The popular former state titleholder will have a sizeable backing at the magnificent Netball Central facility. Despite a heavy Irish presence on the card, Brubaker believes his following will be the biggest on the night.

 
“No way,” rebutted Brubaker when asked if the Irish supporters would drown out his own.

 
“I’ve sold way more tables than the three Irish fighters combined. I have a huge fan base and I will be putting on a boxing clinic for all my fans who will be out to support me.”

 
 
Photo: Marty Camilleri/Marty’s Knockout Photography