Trent Broadhurst declares: “This isn’t going to a decision”
IF confidence is an indicator of execution, Trent Broadhurst could be primed for a career-best performance.
Six months removed from an unsuccessful challenge at lauded WBA light heavyweight ruler Dmitry Bivol in Monte Carlo last November, Broadhurst (20-2, 12 KOs) looks back at the experience as a major learning curve.
“I probably put too much pressure on myself and had too high expectation on myself,” said Broadhurst to Aus-Boxing.
“I’ll be honest, I was a complete nervous wreck before that fight. It was just not me, it’s not in my character at all. I wouldn’t say the occasion got to me, but I found it to be a whole new level of pressure that I’ve never dealt with in the past.
“I think it’s only understandable coming from where I came from and jumping up on the big stage,”
“I think it’s the fact that I’ve come from fighting in pubs and clubs to fighting in one for the biggest shows in the world at the time. Next time when I do get that opportunity, I’ll just make sure I work hard and try to relax a bit more. I’ll try not to put as much expectation on myself to perform.”
Despite there being no official title or regional baubles on the line, there’s no denying the enormity of the opportunity at hand. With the dust now settling on an unfortunate end to his world title bid, the 29-year-old is ready to launch a second run at world honours.
If Broadhurst can secure a career-best win over the favoured Caparello, a plethora of opportunities will fall his way, including lucrative propositions in Europe.
Although Broadhurst hasn’t been shy in expressing his thoughts on Caparello, the Brisbane-based light heavyweight praised the experience and credentials of the well travelled southpaw.
“Look I’ve had a bit of a break since that fight and took most of the end of the year off last year,” he said.
“There was an opportunity to fight Anthony Yarde in the UK, but we thought this fight with Blake in Melbourne would be a better way to comeback into a win and get started back into a another world title shot. As far as international experience, he has the runs on the board,”
“I think he boxes very well to a game plan and he adapts well to the style in front of him. But I’ve had an extensive amateur career – and I’m an experienced fighter – I know what I can do. There is absolute no doubt in my mind I am going to beat Blake Caparello.”
“I’ve censored myself for too long and remained humble and that’s not in my make up,” he explained. “I’m a shit talker, I’m a shit stirrer. That’s just who I am, it’s no disrespect to him, it’s just me being me.”
Without detailing the specifics of his future plans, Broadhurst went as far as mentioning the immediacy of his title ambitions if a win is secured on the road on Friday night. And while he didn’t mention the name of hard-hitting Englishman Callum Johnson, Broadhurst did label the Commonwealth title in his possession as a future target.
Solidifying his place in the domestic landscape is clearly an agenda for Broadhurst. Seated alongside Caparello and long-time sparring partner Damien Hooper, Broadhurst wants to remove any doubt from the unofficial throne he already claims as his own, starting with what he sees as an inevitable stoppage win.
“I personally want to get a shot at the Commonwealth title. I think there is some good fights in the UK for myself,” he concluded. “But this fight for me is about proving to everyone that I’m the number one light heavyweight in the country.”
“I think Caparello has slowed down a bit, a hundred percent he has. But I also think he is a lot wiser and a lot smarter and more experienced too. The way I’m going and the way I’m punching at the moment, there is no doubt, this isn’t going to a decision.”
“I’m more than happy to go the ten rounds, ten hard and fast rounds. I’m not going out there to knock him out. But I’m gonna hit him with some big shots and some big shots early. He is going to try to run and he is going to try to box but I’m not gonna let him,”
“I haven’t been this keen for a fight for many many years.”
“The last month has just been perfect and stress free, I’m happy. I’ve always said a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter.”
Photo: Marty’s Knockout Photography
