Casey: Lose to Kodjo and I can give up on EBU title

August 3 Jonny Stapleton

Willie Casey claims if he can’t beat Daniel Kodjo Sassou in Limerick on September 3 he will have to give up on his European title ambitions.

A lot of pundits have claimed Casey has put unnecessary pressure on himself by taking on the durable and experienced French based pro in first outing since his first round world title defeat back in March.

European ranked Kodjo Sassou has taken renowned super bantamweights Scott Quigg and Joe Murray the distance, is a veteran of over 50 fights and lastest six rounds wiht heavy handed Irish featherweight Patrick Hyland.

The Southhill southpaw, who is now managed by Gary Hyde, certainly isn’t easing himself into a return, but Casey wouldn’t have it any other way.

Big Bang is adamant he didn’t want easy passage back to continental contention and wants to prove to himself and his fans he has what it takes to win back an EBU belt he points out he vacated and never lost.

“I really wanted to get back in the ring a week after the World title defeat. I am delighted to have a fight to focus on now. I can think about fighting Kodjo and not my defeat to Rigondeaux,” Casey told Mirror Sport.

“I didn’t need a ranked opponents to get another European title shot. All I needed was a handy win under my belt and I would have been eligible to fight for the EBU strap, but we wanted a test. I believe fans should get their moneys worth. If this guys goes down in the first round it is because he got caught and I hurt him not because he is here for a pay day. After I lost I didn’t want to start from scratch. I wanted to jump straight back into European level and Kojdo ensures that is the case.”

The pocket power house, who also revealed he still harbours world title ambitions and highlight Rendell Munroe as the European standard bearer, has jumped ship from Dolphil to NoWhere2Hyde Promotions and from Crumlin Boxing gym to McCullough’s Gym in Belfast.

Casey is delighted with how he has settled in with his new team and stressed he is already noticing improvements in his boxing ability.

Indeed, the former world title challenger claims his famous ‘Big Bang’ ring moniker is in danger of been upgraded to ‘Bigger Bang’ the way he is hitting in his Belfast training camp.

“I was lucky that I settled in quickly and got on with everyone in Dublin and it’s the same here. Everyone up here has been great with me and I have settled well. I am really enjoying training and the camp here. I am learning new things and developing my skills. Watch out I could be known as the Bigger Bang by the end of the year,” Casey added before paying homage to his big fans base and asking them all to come out in support on September 3.

“The biggest high I ever got out of boxing was the support I got in my last few fights. All that support drives you on and makes you want to do better. You don’t want to let people down. Hopefully they all come out and support the local boy on September 3 and we will have a good night.”

 

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