British cruiserweight Isaac Chamberlain had big plans for 2020 until the coronavirus crisis put a question mark on attempts to stay busy for the remainder of the year.
Like all of us, Chamberlain attempts to make the best of a bad situation.
The talented 26-year-old is in the United States during the lockdown and hopes to continue his progress once everything returns to business as usual.
Isaac Chamberlain
“Because I’ve been training in Miami, the schedule has remained the same, and my life at the moment is training and resting. I go to my friend’s private boxing gym and do a good session there on my own on the bags and in the ring.
“It’s frustrating not being able to do pads or sparring at the moment, but that’s how it must be for now. Things will get better. We’ve got to stay positive,” Chamberlain exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Aside from that, I’ve been on the PlayStation a lot playing Call Of Duty and set myself targets of 3,000 sit-ups daily.
“I’m also waiting for the delivery of my exercise bike, and I’ll be doing an hour a day on that.
Asked about his hopes regarding when he might fight again, Chamberlain answered: “My promoter Mick Hennessy said he’s aiming to get a show on for September, but he’s in the same boat as all of us.
“When restrictions get lifted, and he hears from the BBBofC, we’ll better understand how things will pan out.
“It looks complicated at the moment. That there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. But we must keep optimistic and work hard for when we get the green light.
“So maintaining my fitness is key.”
Situation
On not being able to capitalize on his win over Luke Watkins, Chamberlain added: “Everything happens for a reason, and I can’t be too disappointed.
“Of course, I would love to have had more fights by now. But when the situation is out of your control, what can you do?
“You can be p***ed off that things aren’t going to change in the next few weeks while this lockdown is still on, but what will it achieve?
“I look at the positives. Since the Watkins fight, I’ve linked up with Mick Hennessy and Channel 5. That’s a massive boost for me. I can’t wait to get going.
“That terrestrial exposure on free-to-air Channel 5 will be a bonus for my career. They’re 100 percent backing me.
“With Mick’s expertise in managing and promoting, I feel I’m in the best place I can be. I want to achieve my aim of becoming a World Champion.
“I want to squeeze in four fights this year if we can get going by September. It will be fantastic, and I’ve asked Mick to look into it.
“That will certainly scrape all the ring rust off, leaving me firing on all cylinders for 2021.”
OKOLIE vs GLOWACKI
Before the lockdown, Chamberlain’s fierce rival Lawrence Okolie – who inflicted the lone loss on his record, was lined up for a world title shot.
The WBO decided Okolie’s victory over ‘Chambo’ was enough to boost rankings. Okolie then won the British, Commonwealth, and European titles in the bargain.
Okolie is now set to battle Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO strap. If successful, Chamberlain wants to be in the shake-up for a rematch.
He stated: “100 percent I want Okolie again. Of course, I want to avenge that L on my record. Eventually, I will. If he goes on and wins a world title, and I carry on and, God willing, win a world title, then it sets up a massive rematch.
“This time, I will insist on a neutral referee. And I won’t let him hug me like his girlfriend.”
Concluding his views on Okolie vs Glowacki, Chamberlain leaned slightly towards his old rival.
“It’s a very good fight. Okolie has the power and strength to do something big.
“Glowacki’s a southpaw as well. He’s also got a big chance. I see it 60/40 in Okolie’s favor to win,” predicted Chamberlain.
