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“Screw the money” – Pro novice Jordan Latimer explains decision to face Matchroom hot prospect


Just 20 years of age, just two professional fights, just 21 amateur fights, just four days notice.

Plenty have questioned why Jordan Latimer [2(0)-0] has chosen to take on a debuting top amateur on extreme short notice but there was no decision to be made for the Sligo-Manchester middleweight.

Latimer takes on Commonwealth bronze medallist John Docherty on Saturday night at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, live on Sky Sports, and it’s an early chance to fulfil a dream.

“The reason I took this fight is first I have never refused a fight on any notice,” Latimer told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Secondly, I’ve always wanted to fight on Eddie Hearn’s Sky Sports’ bills, that was the dream.”

“It’s a chance, you can’t refuse these opportunities, you’re crazy if you do. I came to pro boxing for the best fights and to be remembered, it was never my intention to take journeyman fights.”

“Time to roll the dice.”

‘Pretty Boy’ Latimer acknowledges that the match-up has raised eye-brows, especially as he has a mooted fight with Limerick’s Graham McCormack in the pipeline for December.

The youngster noted how “some people will say both us didn’t need to take a risk this early but I came into pro boxing to fight the best out there.”

“I wanna be in fights I’m remembered for, not fights fighting bums from Eastern Europe.”

“I have a pair of balls, not many fighters out there can say that they will fight anyone.”

“I suppose you could say sometimes I’m too brave for my own good. Call me Mr Big Bollocks.”

“It’s not about the money, screw the money.”

Indeed, Latimer admits that he didn’t know Scottish puncher Docherty was the opponent when he accepted a spot on this weekend’s bill.

“When it was offered to fight on Ritson undercard, I didn’t know it was him,” the southpaw revealed.

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“I accepted instantly, I didn’t have to think about it,” he added before giving his new analysis.

“[Since then] I’ve watched a few of his fights. He’s a very beatable fighter. He’s southpaw as well.”

“I think I can break him down. You know and I know I have to KO him to win and that’s what I intend to do.”

“I’ve been still training, obviously not heavy sparing but I’d already started training for McCormack fight so I’m in decent shape. I genuinely stay pretty fight-ready all year round.”

There’s a personal significance to this Saturday’s opportunity, especially with World Mental Health Day having been this week.

Latimer lost his father to suicide back when he was only an infant and the fighter is keen to pay tribute and raise awareness on live TV.

The long southpaw wears ‘Suicide Prevention’ on his fight shorts and outlined how “I want to promote suicide prevention as much as possible so this is a big chance to do that.”

“That’s my main goal, to promote mental health in boxing.”

“I’m just going to enjoy every moment of this fight because I may never get this opportunity again.”

“It’s a chance to get the recognition I want.”

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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