Brandon Ogilvie on Darragh Foley: “I think he is nervous”
BRANDON Ogilvie intends to stamp his authority on the lightweight division with a win over Darragh Foley.
Speaking from his Perth base, the world rated Ogilvie (14-1, 7 KOs) has plans to make it two from two in 2016.
The 22-year-old firebrand started his year in impressive fashion, making light work of Thai import Thongchai Kunram, who he disposed of in four one-sided rounds at the West Australian Italian Club last week.
“I wanted to get more rounds under my belt,” said Ogilvie in an interview with Aus-Boxing.
“But you can’t play boxing – so I got him out of there – I’m fully fit and fully focused now on Darragh Foley,”
With a win in his tune-up bout now secured, Ogilvie can shift his attention to his WBA Oceania lightweight title defence against reigning Australian lightweight champion Darragh Foley on March 12th.
In spite of his world rating and status as one of Australia’s best lightweights, Ogilvie will enter the fight against Foley as an underdog, given the Irishman’s impressive recent wins over Valentine Borg and Miles Zalewski.
When pressed on his thoughts on the underdog status; Ogilvie admits that the tag does not bode well with him.
“I’m the world rated fighter and I intend to keep it that way,” he explained. “Our team really wanted this fight,”
“I do not accept the underdog status – I’m that confident – I’m fighting him in his own hometown.”
“I think he’s nervous, he can keep talking all the crap he wants. I’m going to focus on the trainig and let my fists do the talking in the ring,”
However, with that said, Ogilvie is respectful of the task at hands and admits Foley has many strengths.
“Darragh is a strong fighter,” he continued. “He’s the Aussie champ, so I respect him for that,”
“I know what he brings to the table. My focus is on my camp, my team and everything we are doing,”
Over the duration of his four-year professional career, Ogilvie has held the West Australian state title and the aforementioned regional belt. However, the talented Indigenous product has never for the Australian title.
In his eyes, a win over Foley will justify his decision to bypass the national strap.
From Ogilvie’s viewpoint, the winner of the March 12th showdown will be the countries best lightweight.
“The winner will be the best in Australia, of course,” added Ogilvie. “Foley has knocked out two Australian champions in a row so he’s at the top of his game. When I beat him everybody will know I’m number one,”
“It’s disappointing the Australian title isnt on the line, but you can’t fight for both,”
Without divulging too much into his game plan, Ogilvie believes his preparation – and in particular his sparring regimen – will hold him in good stead for a career-best performance on March 12th.
“Every fight preparation is different,” he concluded.
“My trainer Fox (Peter Wilkenson) and my dad have worked out the perfect sparring camp for me,”
“I’m going to bring my very best to the ring come March 12th.”
Photo: Kim Johnson/Hitman Photography
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