Croatian boxingč Alen ‘Savage’ Babić (33, 12-1) returned to the ring in style with a technical knockout in the sixth round against the British boxer Steve Robinson (33, 6-3-0). After a long time, he stood in front of the journalists and looked back on past events.
How difficult was it to come back after the defeat?
– This camp was the most difficult in my life. I thought I was doing everything wrong. I couldn’t understand that I could do anything well after the last two years. I was destroying myself every day, I didn’t see the light until the last two weeks of camp. The fight turned out to be perfect. I enjoyed the fight. I was in trouble by the time I entered the ring. I have experience in amateur boxing, much more than him. I knew from the first second that he couldn’t do anything to me. This meč It was literally all or nothing for me.
Did the flashback from Poland go through?
– That Poland followed me like a cloud above me. I knew that this was England, that these people were behind me. They put me on the card even though it’s moreć was finished.
They put you on the preliminary part of the program…
– I had no idea when I would have me. when I went to Ireland. I said to her: “I’m going!”. I should have been meč right after the title fight. As the story spread in Ireland, people believed in me less and less. They poked me, they tried to sabotage me. They put me in the preliminary part of the program at the end, as the first meč. I wasn’t offended, my best mečs were when I was the first meč at the event. I made a full circle, from the first meč to the main fight and to the first meč…
When are you coming back?
– Took a break until the end of April. Then I return to Dublin. In fact, Lawrence Okolie called me to spar because he is fighting Rozanski. To spar with him and then to Dublin. Žičfour fights this year, I won oneć done.
Tommy Welch called you out in London.
– He has a good record (13-0, op. a.), but he is not that level. I feared this past opponent, “Darling,” more than I would fear this one. I am ready to work with him. His name calling was realistic because he only fought opponents that no one knew. Meč it carries a lot of publicity with me. This is one of his last chances to do something in his career.
What about Dave Allen? You’ve been calling each other names for years…
– I called him again, but he didn’t answer that last call. That meč it is interesting to the English. I want to make a story for the English fans, they are always with me. Imagine how hard it was to get into this last card where I boxed with Robinson. There were six fights, Sky reported. Everyone wanted to be there…
When is the next fight?
– I hope in June. Opponent? Well, that Welch. I don’t like to talk until it’s official because it’s boxing…, but I think that’s it. A month of preparation and I’ll be ready for that Welch.
‘I always wanted to be a heavyweight, but I believe I’ll stay in bridger’
How are you in your head now?
– I believe that I will reach a state in which I have never been. This is among the first professional camps I have done outside of home. In Zagreb, I cannot dedicate myself to training anywhere near as much as I can in another country. I forgot what the sun looked like in Ireland. I drank vitamin D… I believe that through such trainings I will quickly reach the right matches and the right form – said ‘Savage’ and continued:
– Dillian Whyte was not in favor of me boxing at this event. However, I said that I needed it. I only work with Whyte. He has connections in Saudi Arabia, everywhere. After this fight of mine, a lot of promoters and boxers contacted me. They know that when they put me on the card it will be great.
In which category are you continuing?
– I left all my promotional stuff to Whyte. He managed it more than perfectly until I took matters into my own hands. I was taken by the figure and the heart and I myself organized this in Poland for the title. “I want to be Dillian’s boxer again.” I don’t know how to be a promoter and manager, to leave it to these people. Category? I always wanted to be a heavyweight. I was 11-0 at heavyweight. Steve Robinson was hard as earth, and he had no chance with me in the ring. Bridger turned out to be a chance no one would turn down. However, I believe that I will stay in bridger. If Okolie beats Rozanski mož they will get another chance for the world title. That meč Okolie would love both me and Dillian. I warned Okolie, he is my friend and acquaintance. I said: “Be careful not to get caught”. I also liked Rozanski. Maybe the only darling I fought with. I didn’t see malice in that boy at all. That’s where I made a mistake, that’s where I lost my “Savage” (alterego, op. a.).
What is the ultimate goal of your career?
– Ž I just want to box. That torrent leads me through my career. It’s like I don’t have much control over what will happen. Since our last meeting, my life has turned 180 degrees. I am ready for more defeats, for more victories. I’m always interesting. I know that there will always be a place for me in boxing. I will never be in a boring meč. Today, most fights in boxing are boring. There is room for me in the pit. I don’t want to stop boxing even at the age of 50. My wife knows too. I’m not normal without boxing. I’m no good for anyone.
Titles?
– They are even less important to me now. They were never important to me. I was boxing for the WBC bridger title. Nothing has changed with that title fight.
How is it for you to watch other Croatian boxers? Hrvoj Sep’s matches are canceled without reason, Agron Smaki is going to Uzbekistan to fight the Olympic winner Jalolov, he found out about the fight two weeks before…
– I understand them. It’s boxing. Boxing is a poor man’s sport. All those who are now millionaires, boxers, were once poor. Everyone left me too after my first defeat. The difference between me and them is that there is something more interesting for me. I did that with my yelling, yelling. It’s hard for everyone.
Before Rozanski, you prepared in Dubai. Now in Ireland. What is the difference between these camps?
– In Dubai, I was good until two weeks before the meč then it fell apart. For that meč in Poland I entered with six kilograms less than others. Talk to psychologists about it. Maybe it was because of the pressure. That head fell apart in that meč. I need to get my head back urgently.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are going to fight… What do you think?
– We live in the era of celebrity mečs, mix mečs. They play that game very well. You cannot tell Tyson: “Don’t take 50 million euros”. He is one of the few who deserved that money. It’s an exhibition. That doesn’t make sense for boxing, even if he loses, I don’t know what will happen. It’s a bit of a slur… I don’t support it like boxing, but I guess it makes sense from the financial side. Tyson is “grandpa”, but he will always be Tyson. I met Paul, he’s a good boxer. That I have to put money? To Jake Paul. That boy is nowhere near a bad boxer. what do people think. He boxed with Tommy Fury, who for me is top 10 in the cruiserweight division. It was invented by Paul. I don’t think I’ll watch Tyson – Paul, I’ll watch a clip on YouTube…
You vs. Jake Paul?
– That’s stupid. I guess a boy wants to live and eat. What does he need to eat through a straw? Nobody is interested in that.
Will they cheer for Hrga? And what does he get out of it?
Filip Hrgović goes to Daniel Dubois…
– Good meč. Dubois had several matches where he was mentally unstable. “Kocka” also had a show and came back… Watching that match is interesting. I’d rather watch that than Jake Paul. Will they support Hrga? And what does he get out of it. Compatriots? He is not my compatriot, nor will he ever be. I see it as boxing. From the boxing side, I’m interested in how that fight will go. Interesting meč and good matchmaking.
What did you learn after the first defeat?
– I saw who stayed with me. The people who stayed now will stay until the very end. There are other sponsors and I am grateful. And I thought he would leave… I was just waiting for a call to cancel my cooperation. Two gigantic companies stand behind me and I am their debtor. You can’t believe how few people believed that they would ever make a press like this again.
Before Steve “Dear” Robinson, you said that the ring was your courtroom…
– I said to myself: “If I am destined, let Robinson knock me out”. After five seconds in the ring, I felt that boxing had decided. I didn’t get a single hit in the meč I am grateful to boxing. Coach Pascal Collins believes in me. After a week of training, he told me that he believes we can be world champions.
