31.1.2013
By @John_Evans79
It has been a case of out of sight, out of mind for Commonwealth welterweight champion Denton Vassell. A year blighted by personal problems resulted in a prolonged layoff for the 28 year old. Thankfully, an impressive sixth round stoppage of the promising Ronnie Heffron in November meant he re-entered the fray with a bang.
Since Vassell last appeared – in a successful Commonwealth title defence against Samuel Colomban in November 2011 - the British welterweight landscape had altered considerably. Kell Brook left the domestic scene behind to concentrate on world honours, Frankie Gavin finally began to fulfil his potential and claimed the British title and his former victim Lee Purdy rebounded from a British title defeat at the hands of Colin Lynes to become a major force. Vassell, 20-0 (10), reappeared at the perfect time.
“Tell me about it!” he laughed during a recent conversation with Livefight. “It made me laugh how people thought I was washed up. I made a good statement in the way I beat the kid [Heffron] too because obviously I was getting criticised for the way I fought by his trainer [Anthony Farnell]. Ronnie Heffron had been winning a few fights and he was the talk of the town and I was the underdog who hadn’t fought for a year. They must have thought that they could beat me and take the belt off me but that wasn’t happening.
“I was buzzing. I said to my trainer [Bob Shannon] that these guys must think I’ve not trained but people that know me know that I train every single day and it paid off. When people were saying things I just laughed. At the end of the day I knew it would be me and Ronnie Heffron in that ring and that I’d show them.”
Having built his reputation - and enjoyed considerable success - as a non stop whirlwind of aggression, Vassell toned things down against Heffron and looked all the better for it. He calmly soaked up everything his talented but inexperienced opponent could throw at him and capitalised whenever the opportunity presented itself. By the time a pair of uppercuts ended matters in the sixth,Vassell had proved himself a quality operator. It was a performance that perfectly described his ‘Quiet Storm’ moniker.
“No disrespect to Ronnie, but him thinking he could fight me and beat me? I’m one of the best welterweights in Britain and I believe I’ll be one of the best in the world,” says Vassell. “I proved that I was quicker than him, I hit harder obviously and I was smarter. I just think that they overhyped him.
“I was smiling half the time in the corner. Without being cocky, it was confidence. I knew. It was no worry to me. I sat down in the corner one round – I think it was the third round – and I said to Bob ‘If it goes twelve rounds I’m quitting’.
Since the Heffron fight, Vassell has been mentioned as a possible opponent for both Gavin and Purdy and finds himself with a tricky but welcome quandary. Facing Purdy again would mean retreading old ground but a likely date on Sky Sports and a huge profile boost while accepting Gavin’s challenge would result in a shot at the prized British title on allegedly.
As both options would mean appearing as the ‘opponent’, maybe it’s unsurprising that Vassell has a different route in mind.
“Personally, I’d like to go for the European,” he declares. “Without sounding like I’m ducking and diving anybody, because I’m not. I like Frankie Gavin, he’s a nice guy and we have our little chat on twitter and we have respect for each other. The same with Lee Purdy. I rate him as a fighter and he’s a tough lad. I know there was a lot of talk about battling Purdy again but the reason I didn’t fight him again was that he didn’t have a belt. At that time I was focusing on Samuel Colomban and he’d just fought Colin Lynes.
“Down the line I’ll probably fight Purdy again. I’d fight Frankie Gavin but me personally? I’d like to go for the European or world title. My biggest ambition is that I wanna fight in Vegas! I wanna get to the top and I’ll destroy anyone who stops me reaching the top.
“Two fighters should fight each other at top peak level, not where one’s over the hill and washed up. Look at Danny Williams and Mike Tyson that was a rubbish fight. Both at their peaks, Tyson would have destroyed him. Too me that isn’t boxing. You should have two fighters at their peak and in their prime and let them fight it out.”
It’s always refreshing to hear a professional boxer talk in such a way and although the welterweight Vassell would love to face next hasn’t been seen for months, he’s certainly at the top of his game.
“I know people talk about Mayweather but he’s a boxer and I like a tear up so maybe Manny Pacquiao. I know he got a bad knockout but in his prime, Pacquaio,” Just as I was about to mention Pacman’s recent fall from grace, Vassell cuts in. “No! In fact, who’s that guy Pacquiao fought? Tim Bradley. If I could choose who I fought, he’s the top dog now so it’d be him. I forgot about him then!”
Either way, Vassell is focused on making 2013 the year he gatecrashes the big time. Should he get his wish and challenge for the European belt, winning it would (could? should?) bring a top ten ranking with a couple of governing bodies.
“I’ve got a good team at Hatton Promotions so hopefully it’ll come later this year or maybe mid year or maybe even in my next fight” Vassell concludes. “At the end of the day I’m hungry. I’ve had a rest now. I’ve lived my life, had a year and lived a little so hopefully now it’s time to get busy.”
