18.04.07 – For Sheffield-based Patrick J. Maxwell, time is of the essence. The aggressive light-middleweight-cum-middleweight is targeting a world title shot and hopes to get there as soon as possible. “I haven’t got long left at 28 years of age,” Maxwell says. “I’m not old, but I’m not a young prospect anymore, either. I want to crack on now, leave all the politics behind, and, with the help of Desert Sky Promotions and Hayemaker, make my way towards titles..
“The minimum I want this year is the Commonwealth title. I also want to get a shot at the European title. That’s my aim.”
Maxwell’s nine-year professional career has been blighted by inactivity and boxing politics. When active, though, Maxwell cuts a fearsome figure – power in either fist and a calculated pressure style born from his American upbringing in the Bronx, New York.
In 2007, Maxwell promises to be at his most active. He’s also dropping down a division.
“I was sceptical at first about moving back to junior-middleweight, but I really believe it can be done now,” stresses the 13-1 (10 KOs) Maxwell. “It’s just going to take time to get my body used to it. It will take discipline and some extra hard work. It’s got to be done.
“When I do get down to junior-middleweight, though, can you imagine the impact I could make? It would be awesome. I’m probably four or five times the fighter now than I was when I originally campaigned at junior-middle. When I do get down there I can’t wait to start testing myself. There are some good boxers at junior-middleweight but nobody is really setting anything alight in this country.”
Recently Maxwell has spent as much time overseas in America and Germany as he has in England. The versatile puncher has been away sparring some of the world’s best fighters – including Arthur Abraham, Antonio Margarito, Vitali Tsypko and Enrique Ornelas.
“Abraham is very, very strong but he’s no bigger than me and I still believe in my heart of hearts I can beat him,” Maxwell says. “He’s mechanical, flat-footed and lacks speed and I’d be really confident of beating him if I was given the chance. Obviously, though, he’s a world champion and I’m a way off his level yet.”
Of Margarito, Maxwell says: “Margarito was an eye opener. I never realised how much people wanted to chase their dream until I met him. Margarito is a middleweight and yet he makes welterweight. This guy is cut up at 11 stone. He hits hard – not concussively – but every shot is solid and felt. I was stronger than him – maybe because he was weak after losing so much weight or maybe because I’m very strong myself.”
Maxwell competes in a non-title eight rounder on the bumper April 27 Maloney Promotions bill at London’s Wembley Arena. Maxwell faces Newcastle’s Paul Buchanan in an intriguing crossroads fight between once-beatens.
“It’s eight rounders onwards from now,” Patrick adds. “I’ve had enough of these four and six rounders. I’ve been craving eight and ten rounders and really want to make my way towards championship level as soon as possible. A win over Buchanan will be a great starting point.
“I’d love to fight somebody like Sergio Martinez eventually,” Maxwell adds. “I know people avoid him like the plague but I really fancy that fight. That would launch me onto the world stage as the guy is rated highly by all the main world governing bodies.”
Ambition has never been a problem for Patrick J. Maxwell.
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