Luke Jackson on Apolinario training camp: “I’m ready to step it up”

 
LUKE Jackson has left no stone unturned in preparation for his second professional title.

 
The 31-year-old Moonah resident will face former world title challenger John Mark Apolinario inside the familiar surroundings of the Hobart City Hall on March 5th for the recently vacated WBA Oceania featherweight title.

 
With just over a month remaining until his first appearance for the year, Jackson (10-0, 5 KOs) is under no illusions how important a win will be for the immediate future of his professional career.

 
“I’ve now had ten fights and at the age of 31, I feel it’s now or never for me,” said Jackson.

 
“I’ve had an extensive amateur career fighting against the top guys and beating the likes of Toledo Lopez, Nicholas Walters, Sharif Bogere and many others. I know that I can compete with these guys in the professionals,”

 
“It’s just about believing and backing yourself.”

 
“Anyone that trains with me knows I train very hard and I’m in the gym all year round, I live in the gym,”

 
In a matter of days, Jackson will be in Sydney where he will close out his camp under the guidance of Billy Hussein.

 
“I have the best coach in the world in Billy Hussein and whoever he puts me in the ring with I believe I can beat,”

 
“I trust his opinion.”

 
Despite having Apolinario (19-6-3, 5 KOs) firmly affixed as his opponent, much has been made about the camps of both Joel Brunker and Nathaniel May, who turned down a potential fight with Jackson.

 
When probed on his thoughts, Jackson was respectful in his response, explaining that most fighters will fight whoever their team puts in front of them – which in most cases – is typically out of their hands.

 
“I want to clarify that I have never said that Nathaniel and Joel didn’t want to fight me,” explained Jackson.

 
“My promoter Adam Wilcock said he offered the fight to these guys and they didn’t accept. Fighters will fight, trainers will train, managers will manage and promoters will promote,”

 
“One thing I have never worried about is who I fight,”

 
The former Olympic captain cites his amateur background as a major reason why he adopts this mentality.

 
“In the amateurs you can’t pick or chose, you weigh in and then they tell you who you fight. I fought and beat the best in Australia as amateur and I’m happy to fight anyone in Australia at featherweight,”

 
“As an amateur I boxed and beat Corey McConnell, Joel Brunker and Paul Fleming – all in three days – so that should show that I’ll fight anyone my team tell me. I respect all fighters and I wish them all nothing but the best.”

 
For the second time in three fights, Jackson will have the rare advantage of fighting at home. With his promoter Fightcard Promotions holding the only license in the state, Jackson hopes this will become the norm for him.

 
“This has always been a goal of mine to bring big fights to Hobart,” he continued.

 
“I have only boxed in my hometown a handful of times and to be able to do it for this title feels great,”

 
“In August last year we filled the City Hall to capacity and I remember walking out to the ring and the crowd was going absolutely crazy. I stopped Nouldy Manakane with a body shot in round three, it was a perfect night,”

 
“I know Apolinario is going to be a much harder fight – and this is why I’ve been working extremely hard here in Hobart – doing exactly what Billy Hussein sends me,”

 
Jackson has split his camp between two states, his base in Tasmania where he has established the Action Fitness Centre – an elite boxing facility that he now calls home – as well as the Bodypunch Boxing Gym in Sydney’s west.

 
With fight night fast approaching, Jackson knows he is at the business end of his training camp.

 
“It’s been a hard few weeks training with Grant Brown and lots of running on the track,” he added.

 
“I’ve had some Irish guys down from Sydney for sparring and then last weekend, Josh English, who is vying for a spot at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,”

 
“I head to Sydney on Saturday to join camp with the likes of Billy Dib, Paul Fleming and Billel Dib. The sparring and atmosphere in the Bodypunch gym is amazing, we all push each other to the limit and support each other,”

 
As for his plans for the rest of the year, Jackson refuses to look past John Mark Apolinario.

 
“As I’ve said – I don’t chose who I fight – and I have the attitude that I am only one fight away from retirement,”

 
“I don’t overlook any opponent,”

 
“I will fight anyone my manager Mike Altamura, promoter Adam Wilcock and coach Billy Hussein tell me,” he concluded.

 
“I’m ready to step it up,”

 
 
Photo: Jimmy Emms Photography