The throwback mentality of Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis is a throwback.
In just eleven months as a professional fighter, Lewis (6-0, 4 KOs) has claimed the Australian title, trained and sparred with both Daniel Jacobs and Terence Crawford, and now looks to tackle a fighter who stands close to two metres tall on the undercard of the biggest heavyweight title fight in recent years.
The former Olympian from Western Sydney takes on the towering Sebastian Fundora (13-0-1, 9 KOs) on February 23rd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as part of the televised pay-per-view card headlined by Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
And the Aussie prospect couldn’t be more thrilled.
“It’s unreal, it’s a dream and fighting in Vegas is something I’ve been wanting to do my whole life,” Lewis told Aus-Boxing.
“I’ve got the best team behind me and I’m feeling very confident going into it.”
Lewis may not be the name on everyone’s lips in Australian boxing circles right now, but that hasn’t stopped him from gaining the attention of Top Rank, who handed him the opportunity to showcase his skills on such a big stage.
“I’ve been signed with Top Rank and they got me a fight in L.A in November last year and I won that,” Lewis said.
“They were pretty happy with that fight so they got me in a training camp with Terence Crawford and I done really well with that and now I’ve been given the opportunity to fight on this card against Fundora.”
Fundora will undoubtedly be the toughest test to date in the young career of Lewis, with the American standing at close to two metres tall. With an even bigger reach, Lewis will be at a distinct disadvantage come fight night, but such size disparity doesn’t bother the Sydney-sider.
“I’m just going to chop him down,” he said.
“I’ve fought heaps of tall people in my amateur career and the height I’m not too fazed about.
“I’ve got ten rounds and plenty of time to work him out.”
Fundora, 22, may not be widely thought of as a sure thing for future world honours in the sport but it’s clear that he’s a fighter that few want to get in the ring with.
Lewis however is workman-like in his approach to his profession. He wants the learn as much as he can and is willing to fight whoever is placed before him.
“We just want to fight the best,” he said.
“I’ll fight anyone and no one is willing to fight me and I know its only early on in my career but I won’t pass up any opportunity to fight and if it’s a tough fight it doesn’t bother me.
“Win or lose I just want to learn and become the best I can.”
Fighting on such a big card in Las Vegas is undoubtedly a highlight thus far for Lewis, but he also has his eye on some of Australia’s best talent right now. Given the opportunity, he would jump at the chance to fight the winner of the blockbuster clash between Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu.
“I don’t look too much in to who’s Australia’s most popular boxers or what’s being said on social media, but I’d happily fight the winner,” Lewis said.
Future fights aside, Lewis is primed to put on a spectacular display in Vegas and predicts that his imposing opponent will struggle to make the final bell.
“I just honestly don’t see him staying in there for ten rounds with me,” states Lewis.
“He’s tall but that can only get you so far.
“I really love going the body and I really want to hurt him to the body and ten rounds is a long time for someone with such a big target and I don’t see it going the distance.”
Words: Dan Attias/Follow Dan on Twitter
Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank