World Champ Dib inspires Bates ahead of his latest fight
By Jonny Stapleton
Tony Bates claims working side by side with world champion Billy Dib has given him a taste for the big time.
Bates, one of a few Irish fighters on the up Down Under, sinks his teeth in third professional opponent this weekend and will then fight on the under card of the IBF featherweight title fight between ’The Kid’ and Alberto Servidei on November 17.
The latest product of Clondalkin -Bernard Dunne, Stephen Ormond, Ian Tims and Kenny Egan all hail from the area- has been preparing for both bouts along side the champ and is subsequently inspired.
“Fighting on the under card and training with a world champ in Billy Dib has given me great motivation to push myself to the max and give my boxing everything. Why couldn’t I win a word title. I am improving everyday with him and the boys in the gym who are world class,” Bates told www.irish-boxing.com
The Australian based former Matthews amateur might see world title fights in his distant future but he is adamant he is fully focused on the present and his next bout with Troy Glover.
Glover has yet to win in the paid ranks, but Bates is ready to register a tough shift in Campsie New South Wales this weekend.
However despite billing his next opponent as tough and durable the Irish Physco is confident he can add another victim to his record.
“All I am doing at the minute is focusing on taking one fight at a time. I am fighting Troy Glover. I wouldn’t say its a step up in class but he is more experienced than my previous opponents with 70 amateur and 8 pro bouts. Although he hasn’t won one, he still comes to fight and doesn’t lay down easily,” the 23 year old added before expressing his delight at training.
“Training has been great we had a hard schedule to follow with strength and conditioning twice a week, sprints twice a week and a swimming recovery session all in the morning. It was six days of boxing and it was intense, but I have really come on in my fitness. I pushed myself and I hope I shall reap the awards.”
Like Denis Hogan and Paddy Murphy Bates seems to be carving a name for himself in OZ. The novice pro certainly isn’t basking in the Australian sunshine.
Win loose or draw on Saturday and its straight back into training.
“ I’m very pleased with the way things are progressing and I am looking forward to claiming my third notch on Saturday then going away for a ten day training camp as part of the team and in preparation for Billy Dibs IBF title defence. At the minute I am fighting at light welter but further down the line ill be looking to get down to lightweight. I think I can make it easier and be super strong at that weight.”