It’s a sad statement of fact that in boxing a controversial public persona – or an image – can propel a fighter to levels and fights where they don’t belong.
Some fighters are carefully piloted to the top of the mountain aboard a Sikorsky helicopter and others are given a pickaxe and a battered old rope at the bottom – enter Ovill McKenzie.
McKenzie, 23-12 (12KO’s), is not a fan of such controversy, preferring admirably to do his talking in the ring.
“I ain’t no good at causing scenes to sell fights like some other fighters, that’s not my style. I don’t like to disrespect people to sell a fight; I’m not a promoter, that’s not my job. I train hard and do the business in the ring brudda.” He said.
The big Jamaican is not kidding, since moving up to cruiserweight he has made short work of credible opponents in Tony Conquest (KO5) and Jon-Lewis Dickenson (TKO2) to be crowned as the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion.
A wonderful achievement, but in keeping with McKenzie’s career to date it has failed to have the desired impact and on 14th March he travels to Widnes to face Matty Askin 17-2 (10KO’s) considered the opponent once more.
It’s a situation McKenzie accepts with a smile on his face, in his mind, Askin has sold the tickets and McKenzie is going home with the belts.
“He is a good fighter, I ain’t taking nothing away from him, I respect anyone who faces me in the ring, because anything can happen.” He said.
“But, 100% I’m winning this fight, I don’t mean any disrespect when I say, if I don’t beat Askin, how can I expect to fight Captain (Marco) Huck? I give Askin 100% respect, but if I wanna fight Captain Huck I gotta beat Matty Askin and I will brudda.” He concluded.
That is, as much trash talking you will get from McKenzie, who has cause to be frustrated ahead of a fight that has been switched twice, once from September 2014 and again from 14th February 2015. The second rearrangement came whilst McKenzie was midway through a training camp in Cuba.
“It’s no problem brudda, I’m always ready.” Said the typically easy going McKenzie.
He has become accustomed to his allotted career path and embraces it. In his mind very few of the fighters he faces have had it as hard – he’s probably right.
“Most of these fighters never been through what I’ve been through, taking fights at 1 day and 1 week’s notice. I was offered Prizefighter (cruiserweights May ‘09) at 2 weeks notice when I was a light heavyweight and came in and beat all those cruiserweights brudda.” He said.
He did just that, earning a shot against then Commonwealth light heavyweight champion Tony Bellew, who he dropped with the punch of a lifetime only to see his opponent rise from the canvas to stop him in 8, which to this day Ovill McKenzie cannot believe.
A brief look at McKenzie’s slate leads to confusion as to why he’s not considered fan friendly, for the most part excitement is guaranteed. The man himself believes it will take a World title win to change the fan’s perception of him.
“Brudda I think if I got the opportunity, it’s my destiny to win it. That’s how I will win the fans over. Go and win a World title in Germany or wherever and bring it back for them. That’s my dream and I believe my destiny.” He said.
That’s McKenzie through and through; he won’t win you over with his mouth, but with his fists and with substance not perceived style.
“I can’t be any different I’ve got to be who I am.” He concluded.
That’s a man who has scaled a long way with a battered old rope and a pickaxe.