Where next for Michael Sprott?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 06 Jul 2004, 04:08

The clue of this is in the question. Now Sprotty boy is an ex-British heavyweight champion, where does he go from here?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 06 Jul 2004, 05:19

To the big pile of also-ran heavyweights produced by this country's domestic heavyweight scene.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 06 Jul 2004, 05:38

I've never been Sprotts biggest fan, but i think that he can at the very least challenge for the British title again. Skelton vacating can't be that far away, and with Harrison also looking past British level it's a case of who else is out there. He's young enough to be one of the few to contest the title.

J · Post by J » 06 Jul 2004, 05:40

HE NEEDS TO GET NASTY IN MY OPINION.
he could be better than he is just doesnt have that killer instinct.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 06 Jul 2004, 05:41

He should get out to Kentucky on stand by.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 06 Jul 2004, 05:54

MightyWarrior wrote:He should get out to Kentucky on stand by.

Good Call

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 06 Jul 2004, 09:08

I think you are correct about killer instinct. I think he'd have beaten Danny Williams the second time, but as Williams started cheating he appealed to the referee and got knocked out, instead of thinking well if he's gonna be like that, I'm gonna get nasty too........

J · Post by J » 06 Jul 2004, 09:10

rule number one "protect yourself at all times!"

I dont think he has it Im afraid though that nasty streak is inherent its very hard to learn it. This was also very apparent from ringside against Skelton he simply got bullied then when he was on top, didnt capitalise enough, stood off Skelton and he did have him in some spots of bother at times. Shame I quite like Sprott

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 06 Jul 2004, 09:16

I quite like him too. I'd rather see him fighting Tyson then Williams, but I guess in a combat sport such as boxing you can be too nice.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 06 Jul 2004, 09:43

Sprott had Williams hurt on several occasions in their 3rd fight, and I believe he could have knocked him out, but failed to press the advantage. He was pissing all over Danny in their second and at the end of the day shouldn't have been turning to the referee whilst Danny was in punching range.

Too nice a guy to be a top heavyweight, a shame, because he has very good skills, and good punchpower for a small heavyweight, and fantastic handspeed.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 06 Jul 2004, 10:07

I still think he has enough skills to make a few more bucks in UK. Another shot at the British title wouldn't be out of the question, and a few fights against foreign journeymen on the undercard of other fights in and around UK would keep him active. Even a fight against some decent Europeans too, but just can't see him particularly making an impression on a decent international level.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 06 Jul 2004, 15:05

To be honest, I think he should contemplate retirement. His heart didn't look in it during the Skelton fight I know people have said this about Williams (especially against Sprott) but as Williams has said I don't think it was a lack of heart, but more misguided confidence.

Sprott looked disinterested and the fact he hasn't discussed his future plans suggests to me that he is disinterested.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 08 Jul 2004, 15:07

Update 08/07/04

AMERICAN DREAM – Michael Sprott would like a shot at breaking America if he wins his big comeback fight later this year

MICHAEL SPROTT is eyeing a shot at America as he builds up to a comeback fight later this year.

The 28-year-old has been out of action since his final-round defeat by Matt Skelton in the first defence of his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles.

And Sprott, from Purley, is now looking to get his career back on track with a shot at the English title in September or October, with possibly a warm-up fight between now and then.

Sprott said: “I’m off on holiday next week, but when I get back my trainer has promised I have a hard season ahead.

“I’ll maybe fight for the English title. I’m going to talk about it with my manager when I get back.“I’m just taking it one fight at a time. My manager is trying his best to get the right fights for me.”

Sprott burst into the big time at the beginning of this year when he claimed the British and Commonwealth titles with a points win over Danny Williams at Wembley.

However, after being forced to make a quick defence of both titles, when he suffered a shock defeat to former kickboxer Skelton at Rivermead in April, Sprott has been forced to bide his time while Williams fights Mike Tyson in America at the end of this month, and Skelton gets a possible match-up with WBA title holder John Ruiz.

Sprott said: “I found it a bit strange I had to defend both belts in such a short space of time.

“My trainer told me I had six months to defend them, but then I was made to defend them both quickly.

“Now Skelton is allowed to defend them one at a time against what was effectively an easy opponent (Bob Mirovic).

He continued: “Danny Williams is fighting Mike Tyson, but he said that it should have been me.

“I know people say that Tyson is getting old, but he still has that killer punch.

“It would be nice if Danny did it, because obviously he’s from Britain.

“Tyson hasn’t fought for 17 months, but people are saying that it is a new Tyson.

“If Danny Williams can connect with a big right hand then maybe he can win.

“But Tyson is going to be so hungry for the fight, and I don’t think Danny can do it.”

Sprott believes that the fight with Tyson in Kentucky on July 30 can be the making of Williams.

He said: “I think that was Danny Williams’ biggest problem before – that he wasn’t moving on.

“He was fighting the same guys and then coming back and fighting them again.”

Sprott continued: “If I can win my next fight I want to be going on beyond the English top-10.

“I’m on the way up – I don’t want to keep fighting the same names.

“Boxing’s like football, you keep fighting the same people all the time.

“I want to move on – maybe fight for a European title or in America.

“Audley Harrison seems to like fighting out there. There’s a lot of club fighters out there but when you get to the top-20 it’s a good standard.

“It would be good to get some American names. Maybe Bruce Seldon, who is making a comeback, or even Ray Mercer – you have got to mix with those kind of guys.”