Adam Copland outlines ambition for the big stage
IN just one night, Adam Copland has the potential to change his immediate future in the sport.
The likeable 23-year-old will test his mettle against one of the most regarded talents in his division, facing fellow unbeaten prospect Mateo Tapia (8-0, 5 KOs) at the Hordern Pavilion on February 8th.
Such is the landscape of Australian boxing, seldom do we see two unbeaten prospects collide at such early stages of their careers.
However, the pay-per-view platform and subsequent budget of televised events has allowed No Limit Boxing to create a card that will be hard to beat, starting with the super middleweight pair.
Copland (4-0, 2 KOs) might only be four fights into his punch-for-pay career, but this hasn’t stopped him chasing big fights.
“All I’ve ever wanted out of boxing is the biggest possible fights,” Copland told Aus-Boxing.
“I understand why some people take the paths that they’ve taken, but for me, I want the biggest fights possible within reason. I’m not saying that I’ll fight a world champion right now, but with someone like Mateo, that’s a fight I’d want.
“I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities. I was in Jeff Horn’s corner for many of his big fights, including the Pacquiao and Crawford fights. I’ve seen Jeff from the start and how he built to that level.
“For years, I worked with Trent Broadhurst, well before and right up to his world title fight. These experiences have helped me because I’ve been around that level of boxing, even though it’s been from a distance.”
Copland often makes references to the career of Jeff Horn, which is understandable given the relationship they share. The Brisbane-based super middleweight wishes to replicate the route the former WBO welterweight ruler followed before him.
“It just goes to show that you don’t have to be brash to make it to the big stage,” he explained.
“But in saying that, I love that brashness and I love the talk. I’ve grown loving guys like Anthony Mundine and now Jeff Horn. You can be who you want to be and still get there.
“At the end of the day, I go back to Jeff as an example. He fought Naoufel Ben Rabeh in his seventh fight and no one gave him any credit. If I beat Mateo, they’re going to say he was too young, that’s just the way it works in boxing.
“I think it takes more than one fight to get the credit you deserve, it takes multiple fights. I was trying to get credit last year by beating Mose Auimatagi Jnr, to try and get my name out there.”
Although the televised platform played a major part in taking the fight, Copland reveals the similarities he shares with the highly touted Tapia was also a factor.
“I would’ve taken the fight anyway, but the fact it’s on live television definitely helped,” he concluded.
“That’s what I want and that’s what you dream of as a young fighter. When I watch him, I think he does a lot of things that I do well, but that’s why this fight is so good.
“I think Mateo has got a little bit of everything. He’s got pretty good hand speed and it looks like he’s got pretty good power. From what I can see, it looks like he thinks quite well in the ring.
“From me personally, I’ve always dreamed of being in a war and everyone watching. It’s already dawning on me, I know how big of an opportunity this is.”
For more information on the televised Gallen vs. Hopoate card on Friday February 8th, click here.
Photo: Click Mick Photography