By Bryce Wilson, photo by Ryan Hafey/PBC

February 25th marks a huge day in the career of Polish born heavyweight Izu Ugonoh. The unbeaten KO artist has been steadily building for over 2 years under the tutelage of coach Kevin Barry for this type of watershed moment. Ugonoh spent much of 2015 and 2016 fighting in New Zealand on the undercard of his good friend and fellow stablemate, WBO world champion Joseph Parker.

At times the opponents were underwhelming and not presenting the type of challenge Ugonoh hungered for, but wisely Ugonoh used the time to develop his chemistry with coach Barry while continuing to develop his craft with high quality sparring sessions that included not only Parker but former world champions Bermaine Stiverne and Wladimir Klitschko. And it certainly didn’t hurt his prospects that he despatched several of these lower level opponents via some devastating and fan friendly KO punches.

Ugonoh’s performances hadn’t escaped the notice of boxing impresario Al Haymon and in December 2016 Ugonoh signed on the dotted line with Haymon, looking forward to the promise of a high-profile fight being sent his way. Haymon certainly didn’t disappoint and in January Ugonoh was delivered the contract to fight Dominic Breazeale as the main undercard fight for the Deontay Wilder/Gerald Washington title fight in Alabama. This fight marks a huge step up in competition for Ugonoh, but Breazeale possesses the type of record and name recognition that could push Ugonoh into the upper echelon of the heavyweight division should he win in impressive fashion.

Sitting down to chat with Izu and get his take on the fight, I immediately sense a new energy and intensity than I’ve ever seen before. 

BoxingScene: When did Al Haymon come to you and your manager Rich Moriarty with this fight?

Izu: It was in January and they went first to Rich who has a very good relationship with Al and his team. I know Szpilka was supposed to fight Breazeale but that fell through and it came my way and I decided I wanted the fight.

BoxingScene: Obviously, it was something you had to discuss with your trainer Kevin Barry who liked the fight as well?

Izu: Yes, he did. Kevin being a master tactician sat me down and went through all the strengths and weaknesses that Breazeale possesses as well as the risks. He feels like we have prepared thoroughly for this fight and the only thing he wanted was a little more time. However, in life we don’t always get everything we want, we get what we are given. I think so far it has been one of the best training camps I’ve had with a lot of quality work. It’s been 5 weeks of very focussed work and we are right where we want to be.

BoxingScene: But equally Breazeale doesn’t get a whole lot of time to train either?

Izu: No. And he doesn’t really know who he’s training for.

BoxingScene: Yes, I wanted to ask you about that. I assume you’ve read the interview where he has said he doesn’t know a lot about you. Do you think he’s possibly underestimating you and looking past you to his next fight?

Izu: Yeah, I think it’s possible. I don’t know exactly who he’s been sparring to prepare for for this fight. But on the other hand, I hope he isn’t underestimating me…………for his sake (laughs.)

BoxingScene: We talk a lot in boxing about risk and reward, and we see this occasionally in boxing where a guy is flying under the radar and he is brought in to face a fighter with a bigger name who a lot of casual fans are expecting to win, only for the underdog to produce an impressive victory and announce himself as a name to watch. Do you see this fight as that sort of opportunity for you?

Izu: For me I love it! Rise and shine or crash and burn! I just have a great feeling about this fight.  Breazeale is the more experienced guy in this situation but in my opinion that’s all that’s on his side. The skills, the speed and the power will be on my side. The fact that he hasn’t seen what I can do is to my advantage.

BoxingScene: Without giving too much away in broad brushstrokes what do you see as Breazeale’s strengths and weaknesses?

Izu: His strengths are that he is a big and strong guy and if I stand right in front of him that’s probably not going to be a good idea. But then I have my speed. I saw that Joshua was faster than him and I felt Joshua could have done a better job with him if he’d gone to the body. But hey, that’s just talk, I have to do it in the ring. But what I will say is that he doesn’t know who he’s gonna be facing in the ring, he doesn’t know and it’s not his fault (laughs.) 

BoxingScene: It must be exciting this being your first fight since signing with Al Haymon and you are the main undercard fight at a World Championship event?

Izu: I’m very excited about this, I’ve played this scenario out in my mind many times. This is why I’ve worked so hard these past two years to arrive at a situation like this and if you feel nervous in a situation like this then quite frankly you shouldn’t be in this game.

BoxingScene: I can tell just by talking to you and the way you’re answering the questions that you possess a very different energy for this fight than any other before, when perhaps the guys you were facing weren’t up to your level. 

Izu: For sure, this is what I’ve been waiting for. To be honest with you after fighting a lot of guys who were below my level, deep inside I have been wanting a challenge. And to then be presented a fight like this, there is no way I could have walked away from a fight like this.

BoxingScene: If you beat Breazeale and if you can do it in an impressive manner then all of a sudden in every conversation about who a heavyweight champion should fight next, outside of unification fights, your name would have to be in the mix as to who a champion should face. 

Izu: Thank you. It’s a great story and I feel like this is everything I’ve worked for. I can’t wait, I really can’t. Look nothing is guaranteed, all I have been given is an opportunity, now it is up to me to make the most of it. Sometimes it comes with some risk. But the way I look at it I have already won because I have answered my calling. And hey I know I still have to step inside the ring and fight, but trust me, I’m coming!

Izu Ugonoh exudes the type of confidence you would hope to see ahead of what will surely be his toughest test as a professional boxer. But in his answers and in his demeanour there is a quiet confidence, the mind seems clear the focus intense yet relaxed. Dominic Breazeale is no pushover though. Coming off a tough loss to Anthony Joshua this is a must-win fight for the former contender, a loss could push him further down the heavyweight pecking order at a time when the division is starting to catch fire. Expect a fight with fireworks, the type of fight which could easily steal the show and the type of fight which will finally answer the question that has been whispered by those in the know, is Ugonoh as good as they say he is? In chatting to Izu, you get the sense that he already knows the answer.