On Friday night time (March 1) Sam Eggington and Abass Baraou will combat for the vacant European super-welterweight title in Telford. 1000’s of miles away with the blue skies of sunny Miami behind him Boxing Information caught up with a relaxed Baraou to talk in regards to the combat, his life in Togo and Germany, whether or not or not “ring rust” exists, and his hopes of touchdown a rematch in opposition to Jack Culcay.
Interview by Shaun Brown
BN: Let’s soar straight into speaking about your subsequent combat in opposition to Sam Eggington. What have you learnt about him and what sort of combat are you anticipating?
AB: I’m anticipating a superb combat. I’ve seen a few his fights. I do know he’s been a proper warrior and in fairly good fights. He’s a tricky opponent and has all of the pedigree to make it powerful for his opponents. I’m anticipating a superb, technical combat from my aspect and an thrilling combat. One which I’m wanting ahead to. Tune in and anticipate to see Abass in full circulate.
BN: That is your third combat within the UK. What are your recollections of the primary two?
AB: The primary one was in opposition to John O’Donnell on the O2 Enviornment after which I used to be fortunate to combat on the York Corridor final 12 months. I had fairly good recollections. The [UK] boxing scene is sort of energetic, the followers are loud and actually participating. It’s at all times been a superb journey in London the place I really feel nearer to boxing. I at all times take pleasure in combating in London and within the UK.
BN: What’s the boxing scene like in Germany in the intervening time?
AB: There’s loads of curiosity. The standard shouldn’t be as excessive as within the UK and the US, however we had some good instances again within the day with loads of world champions the place there was loads of particular abilities. However the demand and the standard has gone again however there are nonetheless loads of boxing followers in Germany; just a few are following my journey. It’s energetic however a bit silent.
BN: You had been born in Germany then you definitely and your loved ones moved to Togo, is that proper?
AB: I used to be born in Germany, raised in Togo, come again after I was 9 and began boxing in Germany.
BN: What was life like for you in Togo?
AB: Fairly good recollections. Once you’re younger you don’t have duties… I bear in mind taking part in with my cousins and uncles. I’ve fairly a giant household. I’ve superb recollections. It’s my roots, it’s the place I come from. I’m additionally comfortable to have skilled rising up in Togo. I’ve Togolese traditions in me.
BN: Have you ever had a lot alternative to return since then?
AB: I actually haven’t been again but. It’s been 20 years. My mum goes yearly however this 12 months I’ve to go! It’s been 20 years with out seeing my household. I’m wanting ahead to going again as quickly as doable. I’m lacking it.
BN: What’s your earliest reminiscence of being again in Germany?
AB: I bear in mind coming again and going to high school and doing nicely even with damaged German. After three months I realized to talk it [properly]. I used to be in Germany with my mum and my brother. Good recollections with them in Oberhausen and making just a few buddies and it felt like house immediately.
BN: Fifteen fights since your professional debut in April 2018, have you ever been as energetic as you’d have preferred?
AB: I’ve been energetic at the start of my profession. With the pandemic got here loads of inactivity after which coming to England to combat as a result of the German market was tough. Within the final three years I haven’t been as energetic as I needed to be however I’ve been within the health club each day, nonetheless progressing, and I’m comfortable to have the European title on the road now. I’m wanting ahead to getting again to being energetic.
BN: Some fighters speak about “ring rust”. Is that one thing you imagine in?
AB: I believe it’s all a mind-set. I’ve been having exhausting sparring; more durable than some fights I had. I really feel like in case you’re mentally prepared there’s no ring-rust. I don’t imagine in it. I do know it’s there, however I believe it’s a mind-set. I don’t have it. I’m going out and do my factor like at all times so I don’t imagine in it.
BN: You’ve solely skilled one defeat, a really slim one to Jack Culcay. Is {that a} loss you’d look to avenge given he’s quickly to be combating for the IBF super-welterweight world title (in opposition to Bakhram Murtazaliev)?
AB: After all. Me and the workforce have been chasing him for some time to get the rematch completed. It he will get the world title that might make it actually attention-grabbing for me. I’ve needed the rematch however he’s avoiding it. I would like to maneuver on with my journey, however it’d be attention-grabbing him successful the world title combat. I nonetheless undoubtedly need revenge for the loss. I hope he will get the win and we will make the combat occur.
BN: Is the super-welterweight division worldwide in a superb state proper now?
AB: There’s loads of motion within the division proper now. It’s good for me and I’m comfortable that I’m getting again on my journey and I can look ahead to get the title combat and that’s what I would like. I wish to combat the perfect within the division and turn into a world champion.
BN: Probably the greatest at 154lbs proper now could be Tim Tszyu. He fights Keith Thurman on March 30. How do you see that combat going?
AB: I believe Thurman has been inactive for some time. Tszyu is in the best place and there’s little question he’s going to win the combat.
