This Friday marks the return of the hugely popular Prize-Fighter in Britain. This time it’s the turn of the Light Middleweight’s. It starts with 8 men who fight over 3×3 minute rounds with the winner advancing to the next round until one man is left standing. One man hoping that is him is Londoner Steve O’Meara 11-0(2). In the first round the 26 year old faces battle hardened Martin Concepcion 16-6(10). O’Meara has packed some interesting things into his 2 years as a pro he’s already fought at two of the most famous boxing venue’s in the world The York Hall in London and The Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. He’s also been to Las Vegas and trained and sparred with Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Since returning home he has begun training with Olympic Gold medallist James Degale. However Prize-fighter gives him his chance to put his own name up in lights. On Friday we’ll find out if he can write another interesting paragraph in his storied career.
Hello Steve, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly you are fighting in the upcoming Light Middleweight Prize-fighter. What do you think of this concept? Who do you see as the danger men?
Steve O’Meara – The concept is great its like the FA Cup (A famous Soccer competition in Britain) of boxing were you’ll see underdogs beating the favourites more often than usual. With the experience an KO% you would say Sinclair and Pryce but i don’t think the experience will come into play as much in this tournament.
Anson Wainwright – Early in your career you fought in America. How did this come about?
Steve O’Meara – I had links with some good people in Philly. Ron Boddie was friends with Tom Moran who managed Kassim Ouma and Tim Witherspoon. So that lead me to be trained by Tim Witherspoon, which was great. I trained at Shulers.
Anson Wainwright – What happened to make you come back to Britain?
Steve O’Meara – I went over to America 2 or 3 times. I was supposed to debut at Madison Square Garden (On 15/3/08 on a card hedlined by James Moore-V-J.C Candelo) but that feel through. I went home and made my debut before coming back to America. I was supposed to fight in Atlantic City but my opponent didn’t turn up, before i got the fight in Philly. I wasn’t fighting regularly enough an probably a bit of home sickness. After the fight at The Blue Horizon i came back Mick Hennessy got in touch and said i fight regular with him. So i stayed.
Anson Wainwright – Your second pro fight was at the world famous Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. Looking back at that experience what can you tell us about it?
Steve O’Meara – Well i knew nothing of my opponent other than what i had seen on the net (which was him KO in a guy in an amateur bout) so thought i was in for a hard nights work. I was also feeling a lot of pressure as a lot of people at home were watching live. So when i stopped him in the second i celebrated like i had won a title but really i was just so relieved i hadn’t let everyone down. Looking back now it makes me laugh at it a bit.
Anson Wainwright – Since coming back to Britain you have aligned yourself with James Degale. How did this come about and how has this helped you personally?
Steve O’Meara – Me an James boxed at the same club as amateur’s so have been friends for years so when he was looking to turn pro i told him my trainer Jim McDonnell was a great trainer who he should work with, they automatically gelled together. Obviously sparring James everyday is great for me to progress as a fighter too.
Anson Wainwright – You went to Las Vegas and trained with Floyd Mayweather Jnr. What can you tell us about this? Did you spar with him? What did you make of him having been up close and personal with him?
Steve O’Meara – Yes this is something i will remember forever, it was a great experience, we had a good spar an he gave me some positive compliments. Floyd is a machine, he trains like no one i’ve ever seen. I would love to one day go back an train an spar with him again.
Anson Wainwright – Who is your manager, trainer and promoter? Also what gym do you use for your training?
Steve O’Meara – My manager is Tony Sims, trainer is Jim McDonnell and promoter is Mick Hennessey. I train at the Loughton Academy in Essex.
Anson Wainwright – What is the best part about being a Boxer? and the worst?
Steve O’Meara – The respect between fighters, worst for me is the traveling i do to the gym i travel about 130-150 miles a day.
Anson Wainwright – So far what is your best memory you have as a Boxer?
Steve O’Meara – Sparring with Floyd Mayweather.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing in your spare time?
Steve O’Meara – I like watching football (soccer) my teams Tottenham Hotspur and i’m a movie buff. I like all sorts comedies, action anything. My favourite movies are Friday, 300, Oldboy etc.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career and what titles you won? What was your final record?
Steve O’Meara – I won the national Middleweight novices, London opens at Welterweight, 26 bouts 22 wins 4 losses
Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?
Steve O’Meara – I don’t like to say to much about this because it can come across as arrogant so I’ll go with to be remembered as a good fighter.
Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite fighter growing up?
Steve O’Meara – Nigel Benn and Roberto Duran
Thanks for your time Steve, good luck in the Prizefighter. Make Philly proud Haha
Thank mate
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
