JORDAN Gill joked that he is taking his fight with Michael Conlan so seriously he has cut back from 60 cigarettes a day to 20. Obviously that was a tongue-in-cheek comment from the Englishman but he did seem disarmingly relaxed as he prepared to follow in the footsteps of his close friend Leigh Wood by beating Belfast favourite Conlan.
What advice did Wood give him?
“Hit him on the chin,” said Gill, straight-faced.
“That’s it mainly.
“I think he’s a good fighter, you have to respect his skills and his ability but we’ll see. I might catch him, or I might win on points. There’s no quit in me - whatever he comes with, I’ll bite down on the gumshield and have it out with him.”
Now trained by his father, Gill hasn’t fought since his stoppage loss to Kiko Martinez at Wembley last year and says there’s no pressure on him on Saturday night.
“I’ve got nothing to lose,” he said.
“When the bell goes I’ll go out there and have a fight and I’m buzzing, I’m ready to go, I’ve prepared well.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt, the most relaxed and ready I’ve ever felt so I’m really looking forward to the fight. There’s nothing personal in this for me, it’s just business. If he wants to make it personal he can, I don’t care. I don’t wish him good, I don’t wish him bad. It is what it is.
“As long as we have a good fight and come out of the ring healthy then I’ll be happy. I’ve cut back from 60 Benson and Hedges a day to 20 so I’m on track, I’m feeling good and I’m looking forward to the 12 rounds.”
