Interview: Reigning British Welterweight Champion, Neil Sinclair

By Chris Curry

20.12 - British Welterweight Champion and WBO number two ranked contender, Neil Sinclair from Belfast, Northern Ireland is preparing under the watchful eye of his trainer John Breen as he fires up a sweat in preparation for the main event, as Championship Boxing returns once again to the city of Belfast. The hard hitting, British Champion, Neil Sinclair challenges for the WBU Welterweight Championship of the World in the debut of professional Boxing, in Belfast's new and exciting Odyssey arena on February 1st 2003.

Sinclair who won Commonwealth Gold in 1994, has blasted his way through twenty two of his twenty six opponents by knockout and had Daniel Santos in great trouble, flooring the World Champion in December 2000 before the fight was stopped. Neil went on to land the British Championship on November 19th 2001 with a knockout over Harry Dhami in round five winning his first professional title. In the first defence of his British Championship, Derek Roche felt the Champions knockout power after being sunk to defeat in round one. Neil returned to fight in Belfast on November 2nd, to a Champions ovation and in the second defence of the British title, Neil repaid his fans with finishing Paul Knights in the second round.

Next up is the WBU Welterweight World Championship challenge, as the Belfast fighter looks to make an impression on the Welterweight World stage and the fulfilment of a dream, headlining Championship Boxing in his home city in Northern Ireland's most prestige arena.

Here is what the British Welterweight Champion, Neil Sinclair had to say about his career, the World Welterweight scene and Boxing.

Neil, would you tell us how you got into Boxing?

I was 9 years old when I first started Boxing, it was through friends who were all brothers and already members of the local Boxing Club in Glengormley, Belfast. They took me with them one night and I was instantly hooked.

You had a colourful and successful amateur career in which you won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1994. What was your amateur record and would you describe your days as an amateur and the feeling of winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth games?

My amateur record was 104 wins with 6 losses. I enjoyed my days as an amateur Boxer, especially as I got to travel to many countries and meet some great people on the way.
The feeling I got after winning the Commonwealth Games was one I will never forget. It meant a lot to me then and still does now.

How did you find the transition from amateur to professional and what was it like to win your first professional fight in front of your home fans in Belfast, Northern Ireland were you stopped Marty Duke in round two back in April 1995?

The transition from amateur to professional was harder than I thought it would be. There is so many differences that it was only when I started training with John Breen, did I start to feel like a professional fighter. That said, I did feel great the night of my first professional fight in Belfast back in April 1995 when I stopped Marty Duke in two rounds. That was a special night for me being my first fight, also because it was in front of my home fans in Belfast and I did look good that night, even if I do say so myself.

Following a couple of early set backs in your second and ninth professional fights, you notched up nineteen wins, sixteen by knockout and were given the chance to fight against Daniel Santos for the WBO Welterweight Championship of the World on December 16th 2000. You had Santos in great trouble, dropping the Champion before the fight was stopped in round two. What did you learn from your experience in a World title fight and do you think that chance came too early?

Even though the fight with Santos only lasted a couple of rounds, I believe I learned a lot and the experience I gained by being involved in a World Championship contest on a massive bill will be invaluable to me as I embark on another crack at the World title early in the New Year.
Looking back on my fight with Santos, I do feel it came a bit early. It didn't seem that way to me at the time, although it did to a lot of other people. Thankfully though it doesn't seem to have done me any harm, if anything it has just made me more determined to get it right the next time.

In your third win since Daniel Santos, you won your first professional title by impressively stopping Harry Dhami in five rounds in November 2001 to become the British Welterweight Champion. Can you describe the fight and the feeling when you won?

My fight with Harry Dhami was make or break for me and I knew that. After suffering a flash knockdown in the first round, I came out and won the second. In the third round I dropped Harry and in the fourth I picked up some bruising under my eye, which was cause for some concern.
In the fifth round, I threw the best punch I have ever thrown in my career before or since and I was the "New" British Welterweight Champion. I was ecstatic when I won and relieved to have finally won a professional title after being a pro for over 6 years.

In your first British title defence you scored an excellent first round KO over Derek Roche and on November 2nd of this year you returned to the ring in Belfast for the first time since 1998, thrilling your home fans with a second round stoppage of Paul Knights. What was it like for you to defend your British Championship for the first time in front of a sell out Belfast crowd and on a night that also saw Wayne McCullough return to the ring in Belfast?

It was great to be back fighting in Belfast after 3 years fighting away from home, and the fact I was returning as Champion and defending my British title was perfect for me. The reception I received from the sell out crowd in Belfast that night was just fantastic and I owe them one for that.

Who do you see as future potential opponents and do you have any other titles in your sights, such as European or Commonwealth titles or another World Championship shot?

There has been talk of me fighting my big domestic rival, Commonwealth Champion, James Hare. But at the moment it is just that, TALK. I believe I will be challenging for a version of the World title early next year, and look forward to establishing myself as one of the better fighters around through that.

What do you think of the current competition at Welterweight at World Championship level, with WBC Champion, Vernon Forrest now recognised as the world number one with his two wins against Shane Mosley. The WBO Welterweight World Championship is now in the hands of Antonio Margarito where you are currently ranked number two by the WBO?

The current competition at Welterweight is very strong with current WBC Champion, Vernon Forrest rightly regarded as the world's No. 1 Welterweight.
The WBO Champion, Antonio Margarito is someone I would definitely be interested in meeting. It would be a fight that shouldn't be too hard to make, as I am highly ranked by the WBO and also my promoter Frank Warren has strong links with them.

What is your biggest motivation and who influences you the most?

My biggest motivation is to go on and realise my potential and become World Champion and make as much money as I can from Boxing. I would have to say my trainer John Breen has been a big influence on me, with his support and belief in me.

Who would your dream fight be against and why?

My dream fight would be against Oscar De La Hoya, even though he is now campaigning as a Light Middleweight. Oscar has always been one of my favourite fighters and as he is one of the most famous and charismatic fighters around, a fight with him would draw a lot of attention from around the world. Last but not least the fight would be in Las Vegas, another dream of mine.

What is your personal favourite fight of your own career and of all time and who are your favourite Boxers of the past and present?

My personal favourite fight of my own career would be the Harry Dhami fight and also my professional debut. My favourite fight of all time was the first Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Thomas Hearn's fight in 1981. My favourite fighters are Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya.

Would you like to give a message to the fight fans around the world on East Side Boxing?

I would like to thank all those fight fans who are following my career and I hope this questionnaire gives you a better insight into my career so far. Just remember, the best has yet to come.

Neil, Thank you for taking the time for this Interview. I would like to wish you the very best with your career and congratulations on becoming the British Welterweight Champion.

No problem Chris, Thank you.


Coverage and Interview's on the Championship Boxing event will be covered on East Side Boxing along side Breen's Gym in Belfast.

Questions or Comments to chris_esboxing@hotmail.com