By Tony Nobbs: Number 13 contender Jamie Pittman is not bothered by the school of thought that he has been rushed into a world title fight when he challenges German star Felix Sturm for the WBA middleweight crown in Dusseldorf on April 5. Speaking today (March 6) the Aboriginal Ace from Gosford, New South Wales said that the experience he picked up in a lengthy international amateur career combined with his southpaw European style of boxing and unbelievable volume of punches will give him a good fighting chance to come home with the belt.
26 year old Pittman last faced a German opponent when he was eliminated from the Athens Olympics, dropping a decision to eventual bronze medalist Lukas Wilaschek, despite his opponent receiving two standing eight counts and a point deduction. A big middleweight at 6’1 who comes into the ring as heavy as 81 kilo (183 lb), “Mr Business”, unbeaten in 16 starts as a pro, dots the i’s and crosses the t’s in his preparations. He currently holds the WBA – PABA and Pan African as well as the WBO Asia Pacific belts at 160 lb (having a #6 WBO rating) and was a former Australian and WBF world champion at 168 lb. Pittman, trainer Dean Robinson and manager Dean Singleton are due to fly out on March 26.
Tony Nobbs: Jamie, what do you think that it’s a case of too much too soon?
Jamie Pittman: I’ve wanted to fight the best right from the start. We didn’t really expect it to come along this quickly, we thought it would happen in two years or so but I don’t really think that Felix Sturm will be world champion in two years. I’m a fighter. In boxing, you have to take the opportunity when it comes as you don’t know if it will come around again. Look at Sam Soliman, he waited for his shot for years and probably wouldn’t have got one if he didn’t fight at super middleweight against Anthony Mundine. Look at Shanan Taylor, Nader Hamden…
TN: What kind of Felix Sturm do you expect to face on April 5?
JP: A rejuvenated Felix Sturm. I read that he said at the press conference that he had to get away and have a rest after the Randy Griffin fight. I think he will be coming out to prove that he is a true world champion. I think the controversy from the draw with Griffin will provide him with enough incentive to be at his best.
TN: The Australian boxing public is very suspicious about decisions in Germany. Are you concerned?
JP: After I watched Sturm’s fight with Griffin, no. I thought it was a fight that Felix deserved to win and I was surprised they didn’t give it to him. I’m just concerned about going out, following our game plan and winning the rounds. (Note: The WBA appoint neutral officials).
TN: What do you reckon about the thought that you still fight like an amateur?
JP: I’ve won my last few fights without losing a round so I must be doing something professionally. One of those guys, Tshepo Mashego, had a closer fight with Sturm than he did with me and William Gare, who I beat for the WBF title just stopped former WBA champion Maselino Masoe.
TN: Do you think your style will give him problems?
JP: Yes. Very much so.
TN: Do you think your amateur background will also help you in this fight?
JP: Yes. I’m used to traveling. I’m used to flying for twenty hours, getting off a plane, then going and stripping three or four kilo’s and fighting Cuban’s and that kind of thing.
TN: How easy do you make 160?
JP: I’m always on weight four weeks before a fight.
TN: How has training been and who have you been sparring?
JP: We are on schedule. I’m running fifteen k’s four days a week and doing sprint sessions twice a week. I’m doing my weight training in the afternoons and my boxing with Robbo (trainer Robinson) in the mornings. I’m doing most of my sparring with Sakio Bika. I’ve done 87 rounds so far and at least 60 of them have been with Sakio. I’m sparring Sakio 6 to 8 rounds then getting Edgar Wymarra and Daniel Pawsley in fresh as daisies and finishing the last 4 rounds. That is helping my speed especially after giving it everything I’ve got with Sakio. Every spar is like a fight with Sakio.
TN: Thanks brother. Anything else?
JP: Thanks for the interview brother. I’d like to thank my fans and say that I’m really looking forward to going over and challenging a great champion like Felix Sturm as I hear the promotions in Germany are of the highest standard and I’m confident his fans will like my style of boxing, hopefully I can win them over through the fight. On April 5 the whole of Europe and the rest of the world will know who Jamie Pittman is. I’m not going over to fight for the title. I’m going over to win it!