John O’Donnell admits he has had sleepless nights ahead of his next fight on Friday at the Nottingham Arena, but not at the thought of challenging for his first professional title.
The welterweight, regarded as one of the most promising young talents in world boxing, faces fellow unbeaten prospect Stuart Elwell on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event, headlined by Carl Froch’s 12-round International super middleweight fight against Sergey Tatevosyan.
O’Donnell, who spars with British and Commonwealth champion Froch, has assembled 14 wins since turning professional three years ago.
The 21-year-old will start as favourite against Elwell, (9-0), after finding life with a new baby as tough as life in the ring. The vacant English Welterweight Title will be on the line.
“We’ve got a three month old baby called Cody and he’s great, but also hard work,” said O’Donnell, a junior Olympic gold medallist.
“It has been tough because he just doesn’t stop crying. Boxing is easy compared to it!
“He was born on 19 December, but wasn’t due until January. He was kept in hospital for a bit but was okay.
“I was supposed to be fighting Elwell on January 19, but my mind wasn’t on it and of course my training was interrupted, so we all decided it was best if the fight was put back.
“Now I’m ready. With my routine I’m up early every morning at 6am to go running. When Cody first came home I used to have sleepless nights when he started crying, but now I just move into the spare room and there are no problems!
“Having a baby has not softened me up though; it has made me more determined now I’ve got the family to support.”
As much as i enjoy reading these promotional garbs from various outfits, don't become a spammer now Wellington. These are flowing thick and fast this past week
I think I remember reading a press release a few weeks ago that he lived in a caravan, moving into the spare room because the baby crying - sounds like a comfortable caravan that place..... must had thick fiberglass
Former Marine Elwell ready for Conflict against O'Donnell
by Tom Podmore
Mar 21st 2007
Darlaston's Stuart Elwell is a supremely confident man ahead of his fight with touted Londoner John O'Donnell for the vacant English welterweight title this week (March 23).
The former Royal Marine Commando gets the chance to add another quality scalp onto his ledger at the Nottingham Arena on Friday evening, and is positive he has the answers to the questions O'Donnell will ask him.
The 29-year old from the Black Country had his first paid contest in November 2000 and followed that up with two more wins before joining the Marines for four years. The Midland lefty returned to the ring in 2005 in magnificent form and picked up the Midland Area title in only his third comeback fight.
Unbeaten Elwell isn't taking anything for granted, though, despite his confidence. He is fully aware of the undefeated Shepherds Bush southpaw's amateur pedigree and his standing a pre-fight favourite. Stuart also knows O'Donnell has been given a lot of hype, but feels he'll be the one with his hand raised at the end of their fight.
The old adage that “somebody's “O” has gotta go” rings true in this intriguing battle of the unbeaten southpaws. The Darlaston box-fighter, however, is adamant that it won't be his.
“I am very, very confident of pulling it off, even more so now that I have read all the hype that is behind him. All the hype is just adding more pressure onto him to perform.
“But it really gets my back up when it is taken for granted that I am just supposed to turn up and roll over. I can assure you that it's not going to happen – not in a million years.
“I've seen O'Donnell box before and know what to expect of him. I saw him fight Ernie Smith in December, and that just reinforced what I thought about him anyway. I know I have got more than enough in my armoury to emerge the victor.
“O'Donnell will probably fight his usual fight – guard down and getting busy when he can – but I'll make sure i am applying educated pressure at all times, forcing the pace and i'm sure i'll come out with my tenth win.
“He is good, but not as good as people are making out he is. It should be a good battle, though, as he is a southpaw like me.”
Known as ‘The Bull' during his amateur career Stuart, 9-0 (1), had several highlights during his illustrious unpaid tenure. He won a string of local championships, Midland ABA titles and became a National champion no fewer than five times.
But his proudest moments were when he wore the International vest of England, who he also captained on a few occasions.
People who think this fight is a foregone conclusion in John's favour need to have a long hard look at the West Midland hardman, who has worked hard in the gym to whip himself into his usual magnificent shape.
“I've been training hard like I usually do. To be honest, though, I haven't really spent a great deal of time working on counteracting any of my opponent's strengths.
“But i have been doing a lot of sparring with my southpaw stablemate Marcus Portman for this fight, and he is tall and has an excellent jab. I've been working so hard that I can't wait to finally get in the ring with him on Friday.
“I'm hoping to take care of business in Nottingham inside the distance”, admits the undefeated stylist.” But i‘m not one for predicting an outcome as I think being too confident is a sign of weakness, it's almost as if your trying to convince yourself that you're going to win.”
It's a case of third time lucky for both unbeaten southpaws, and the fight has been muted for what seems an eternity. Originally due to take place at the end of 2006, it was also scheduled to happen on the undercard of Witter-Morua in January, only for O'Donnell to pull out.
Frustrating for Elwell, surely?
“The fight has been cancelled by O'Donnell's camp twice now. The first - pencilled in for December 17 - was due to an arm injury that I was told about in late November only for him to box on December 10. Now some people could interpret this as avoiding me.
“The last time was on January 20, and I was told about it on Christmas Eve by Errol (Johnson, trainer). Apparently he had family problems, and I genuinely hope everything is ok with his family now.
“Apart from that, no, I don't feel frustrated! But I do feel disappointed.”
Elwell, 29, as mentioned earlier, won the vacant Midland Area title - which he has vacated and is being fought out between stablemate Darren Gethin and Tyan Booth on the undercard - in only his sixth paid outing by dominating sturdy David Kirk for the full ten. The Black Countryman really impressed with stamina, workrate and non-stop punching.
He followed that up with a routine point's victory over Peter Dunn before grabbing the attention of the national boxing fraternity with a devastating one-punch knockout over a highly rated fighter on Sky Sports.
Much fancied local favourite ‘Fearless' Franny Jones was spanked in 67 seconds, and the win lifted the talented Midlander inside the welterweight top 20. But he knows he is capable of grabbing a far loftier position, and will almost certainly rise should he thump O'Donnell to his first defeat.
Stu also hopes to add another televised KO to his record when the fight goes out on Sky Sports on the undercard of Carl Froch-Sergey Tatevosyan. The underdog position is one he relishes.
“I said after I won the Midland Area title that I wanted to challenge for the English title within three fights. This will be the fourth since Kirk so I am slightly behind schedule.
“However, if I defeat O'Donnell then I am well and truly ahead of schedule. Then I can start to look forward to even bigger fights.
“I am happy with my pro career so far; I haven't lost so that's always a plus. If I could change anything, however, it would be that i'd like to fight on a more regular basis.
“Maybe if I won the English title i'll get to fight more often. But I cant complain with my career to date, and have also scored a good knockout over Francis Jones, who was being lined up to fight for the British title at the time, on television.”
The English welterweight title would be a great feather to have in his cap (or Marine beret) but the popular plumber, who owns his own company, doesn't want to stop there. He is desperate to make a defence in Walsall, and a shot at the British or Commonwealth straps is then next on his agenda.
“I would definitely love to come back to Walsall and defend the title in front of a home crowd as its looking like i'll be the only English champion in Walsall, especially the way the football team are playing at the moment,” joked the Walsall supporter. “However, I am sure we will still get promoted from League Two this season.
“The main aims are to fight for the British or the Commonwealth titles (held by Kevin Anderson and Ali Nuumbembe) if I can come through the English title fight and a defence at home.
“Young Mutley should still be ‘top dog' and Anderson knows that. I would relish the chance to take Anderson out and bring the Lonsdale belt back to the Black Country. The title deserves to be here.”
With his solid punching to head and body, undoubted boxing ability, amazing fitness levels, awkward southpaw stance together with his wealth of international experience, Stuart Elwell has the tools to become a major player on the domestic scene. After only nine fights he's made a rapid charge up the rankings but is by no means finished.
“I'm not one to shout my mouth off, because sometimes comments can come back and bite you on the arse, but I wish him all the best and will see him in the ring in Nottingham.
Article has a couple of pics attached from the night he knocked out Franny Jones.
Its going to be a good fight tomorrow, but one i really think Elwell can pull off.
Tom Podmore.
Great piece Tom – a fantastic insight.
Many will know little of Elwell outside of his super quick win over Franny Jones. This will certainly give fans a better understanding of what Elwell brings to the table.
That article has certainly whet my appetite for Friday night’s fight!
I'll be interested to see who takes on the roll of the aggressor in this one. Having see them both before, they like to counter with good timing.
I fancy O'Donnell's talent to come through eventually. It's more important for Elwell to get the win because John's got plenty of time to regroup should he lose, so I'm not surprise to hear Elwell's "up" for this one.
Congrats to o'donnell for his win last night! fully deservered. although stu feels disapointed with himself io dont think a 94-97 is that bad ! ive got total resoect for thim for going in there in the first place. I think Stu can learn from this and bounce back
Elwell is a decent turn and O'Donnell ended up making him look mediocre. I had it 99-92 - which doesn't reflect Stuart's competitiveness. In close rounds I just thought John had done that little bit more.
Depsite his build and lack of years he went ionto the trenches with a strong former marine who is no slouch himself and dusted him off - all credit to the kid.
Elwell can bounce back from this - if O'Donnell is matched properly he could go far. Nice handspeed, flurries and uppercuts.
I feel O'Donnell can be a World Champ!
What a talented boxer
In the next two years he'll develope in strength as he ages
Then watch out, he'll start dropping guys
Box Office wrote:I feel O'Donnell can be a World Champ!
What a talented boxer
In the next two years he'll develope in strength as he ages
Then watch out, he'll start dropping guys
Get behind this kid , he will be a huge star
Yeah, it would be good to see another Irish champion!
