Sam Maxwell: Delay has been a blessing in disguise

Sam Maxwell vs. Akeem Ennis Brown

Arena Birmingham, England 28/8/21

Sam Maxwell feels the delay to his showdown with Akeem Ennis Brown has worked wonders – as it has allowed him to gain more vital experience under trainer Steve Maylett.

Undefeated fighters collide as Ennis Brown (14-0, 1 KO) defends his British and Commonwealth super-lightweight titles against Maxwell (15-0, 11 KOs) on a Queensberry Promotions show at the Arena Birmingham on August 28, live on BT Sport.

The two men were originally set to meet in March before an injury forced defending champion ‘Riiddy’ out of the fight, but Maxwell now thinks that may have been the best.

Maxwell said: “It was a blessing in disguise that Akeem pulled out. I was a bit gutted at the time because it was my first top of the bill and I was ready to go, but, I’d only had five weeks with Steve. I’d been doing stuff with Danny Vaughan and on my own.

“Now I have had five months with Steve and it has worked out for me well. Steve told me that had it been anybody else with five weeks’ notice for a British title fight he wouldn’t have taken them on.

“He did because he’d known me well for 15 years and I used to go to the gym and spar with Terry Flanagan. Steve realised I needed something. He knew me and liked me so he took me on.

“When I first went to him and the fight was around the corner, Steve said; ‘I can give you tactics, tell you how I want to fight and get you fit for 12 rounds’.

“That is all we focused on for those few weeks. Now we have a long time to get things right with the game plan. I know if I follow that through I will win this fight.

“Steve is a really good tactician and what he wants is going to work. It is about me following orders and making sure I deliver on fight night.”

“I am very good at the basics, a very good technical boxer. That has got me where I am and I can punch. I am going to perform and I can’t wait to show everyone.”

(Kristian von Sponneck)

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