Tony Hill confident ahead of Billy Joe Saunders test

Though
you’ve only had 10 pro fights, you’ve an extensive amateur
pedigree. Do you think that compensates?

Yeah, I’ve
been fighting all my life. I weren’t a bully as a kid but I was
never one to turn a scrap down. Dad was a boxing fan and took me down
the Golden Ring gym. I had the first of my 87 bouts (71 wins) when I
was just 11and I stayed there right through. I won three national
schoolboy titles, two Junior ABA titles plus the Junior Olympics in
Michigan when I was about 16.

In the
seniors I made the ABA semis, losing to Joe McNally (2007) and also
got to the national quarter final stage, losing to Anthony Ogogo
(2009). They were close decisions that could’ve gone either way. No
one beat me hands down.

I also
fought James DeGale, losing on points in a good fight and I beat
(Prizefighter champion) Jon Lewis Dickenson in my last schoolboys
final. I represented England about 15 times, including over in the
USA and in Russia.

What
else has helped prepare you for your Commonwealth title challenge?

Your
pro CV lists two defeats, to Matt Hainy and, in your last gig, to
recently crowned European champion Kerry Hope in a British title
eliminator. How do you account for those setbacks?

Hainy was
a ridiculous match; two good prospects facing each other over four
rounds?! Most get to fight journeymen while they’re learning their
trade. But the defeat certainly improved me. I learned the need to
start far more aggressively. Still, I cringe when I think about that
fight. I shouldn’t be losing to the likes of him.

I knew
before the fight with Kerry Hope started that I wouldn’t perform. I
had a few niggles, the usual sharpness weren’t there and I was a
bit weak at the weight. I also underestimated him a bit. He proved he
was no idiot winning the continental title against (Greg) Proksa.

Following
a stoppage win on your September 2009 pro debut, you went to the
cards in each of your next five. However, prior to the Hope reverse
you stopped three in succession, including good men Kevin Concepcion
and Paul Samuels. What changed?

Given
the defeat in your last fight, were you surprised to get your
opportunity to fight for the vacant Commonwealth title?

I was
certainly happy for the chance but not really surprised because once
you get in the top ten you can always get opportunities. Initially, I
was to challenge Saunders for his Southern Area title then fight for
the vacant English and now the Commonwealth because (Martin) Murray
vacated.

The queue
to face ex Olympian Billy Joe Saunders has been short. Why were you
keen to step up?

What’s
your assessment of Saunders?

I’ve
seen a lot of him and he’s very talented skillwise, very quick.
He’s blown through everything he’s faced as a pro but the
opposition has been pretty low grade and he hasn’t really been
asked too many questions yet.

Saturday’s
fight shall be easily the biggest promotion you’ve been involved
in. Any chance you could be overwhelmed by the occasion?

How
have you gone about getting yourself in shape for the challenge?

I’ve had
at least five weeks notice and I’ve been preparing at the Millbank
pro gym in Southampton with my trainer Wayne Batten who is also
managing me for this fight. I’ve taken three weeks off from my job
as a bricklayer which I always do before a fight. I’ve followed the
routines I’ve always followed but done a little bit extra and done
it a little bit harder.

You’ll
enter Saturday’s fight as a 8-1 underdog. Why are you confident you
can spring an upset?

Kerry Hope
was a southpaw and our fight was very competitive. I only lost on a
majority. Would they risk Billy Joe against Kerry Hope right now? I
don’t think so.