Dan Lerwell clashes with CJ Mills at BKB 33: Sweeney vs. Levitchi on July 29th for the BKB world middleweight championship.
The fistic fireworks emanate from Indigo at the O2 in London, England and the pugilistic proceedings are set to broadcast on Fite TV.
Lerwell spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before the title bout. Excerpts from the chat are below.
Dan Lerwell
You’re the British middleweight champion and readying to take on a familiar foe here for a world title accolade. What was the initial set of feelings when this bout offer came your way?
“I fought to become world champion before and I obviously lost it. It was quite a bad patch and everything with that but I lost. I think after a few days I asked for a fight and CJ Mills stepped up to the plate. I’m the only one to beat him and he got a few wins after me. So yeah, it should be an interesting fight.”
BKB 33
I mentioned the familiarity in this fight with you two previously having tested skills in March 2019 at BKB 16. What would you say the biggest differences are between yourself and Mills heading into this rematch?
“The big difference in myself is that I’m in great shape now. I’m constantly training, I’m constantly dieting. Even though I’m out of camp now, I’m still training. Still taking over which I never used to do. We’re both a lot more experienced now. So yeah, it should be a better fight, it should be a better-skilled fight. Well, I just hope I get the win. I’m just there to get the win, that’s all. Yeah, it should be entertaining to the fans. The last fight I think is one of the most viewed fights in BKB history.”
BKB
Your stoppage win over Mills was considered a big upset at the time. How does the complexion of this contest/ perception of this fight differ in the rematch if at all?
“It depends, some people still think I’m the underdog. Don’t think anything of it, I’m a confident guy, and I love being the underdog. But I don’t see how I’m the underdog this time after I stopped Mills in quite good fashion. I outboxed Mills in the fight as well sometimes. He did catch me with a cold jab. I went down and got straight back up. But yeah, he’s usually in great shape. I’m in even better shape… much better shape.”
“I’ve been in a better place mentally, physically. Yeah, I’m pretty confident. I’m pretty confident this time. Was confident the last time but I think this time is just going to be a different story. I think I’ll go in as a favorite this time out rather than a big underdog.”
Dan Lerwell vs CJ Mills II
Six of your seven wins in this sport have ended inside the distance and I already mentioned how you have halted Mills. Do we see this general trend continuing of your bare knuckle boxing bouts ending inside the distance as this weekend looms closer?
“I hope so. I hope I keep on throwing them lucky punches (laughs). So if I throw lucky punches, hopefully I’ll finish early and leave. As I’ve said, we don’t get paid for overtime so it’d be even better. But yeah, I’ve been blessed with the power. God blessed me with power and it seems to work in BKB now and again. Some days you’re lost in and it don’t happen. But yeah it seems to work. My strength and conditioning coach now is probably the best about. My boxing coach Boxer Tricks is probably the best about.”
“With my strength and conditioning coach, them put together made me the best person I am. I’m 36, I’m not getting any younger. So I’m looking at what; another three four years maybe? Four years perhaps and then it’ll be bye bye Dan in the picture (laughs). But we’ll see what happens. But yeah, I feel fit as well, been the best shape I’ve ever been, and it’s thanks to my coaches. The best boxer I’ve ever been. My sparring’s great and I feel fantastic for this fight. There’s no excuses on my end for this fight at all.”
