Ionel Levitchi and Jimmy Sweeney clash for the vacant welterweight world title at BKB 33 on July 29th.
The fistic fireworks emanate from Indigo at the O2 in London, England and the pugilistic proceedings are set to broadcast on Fite TV.
Levitchi spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before the championship bout. Excerpts from the chat are below.
Ionel Levitchi
You called for a world title shot during the interview following your last fight. What were the feelings like when you locked in this desired fight and had this championship bout offer come your way?
“Of course, I’m pretty excited, you know. They offered me this fight because I was like in line to fight for world championship. So of course I took the opportunity. I’m fighting Jimmy Sweeney, he’s one of the best BKB fighters. He used to be like five times world champion like different weight class division. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it. I know it’s not going to be easy fight but I like to challenge myself with the best. If it’s for a world championship, it needs to be like two proper warriors to make a good fight.”
BKB
Sweeney is aiming to become a four-weight bare-knuckle boxing champion here while you seek welterweight gold as the reigning British BKB lightweight champion. Can you speak to the magnitude of the stakes that exist in this fight?
“Basically you know with this fight I’ve got nothing to lose. I think all the pressure is on his shoulders. He has to prove once again because he is the king of BKB, you know. So yeah, I like the guy. We know each other because we used to fight in the same promotion. But the fight came up, so it’s just business, you know. I’m looking forward to it. We’re going to make a good fight.”
“It’s going to be a war, a hundred percent. Because he’s coming to fight, I know he’s a very skilled fighter. I’m not so skilled but I can take punch, I can deliver a punch. So yeah, I’m a brawler actually but it’s going to be interesting how it’s going to play.”
BKB 33
Sweeney rebounded from his pair of losses to Barrie Jones and the decorate bare-knuckle legend seems to want to exit the sport on a huge series of high notes this year. Can you talk about the facets of this fight and what a win over an iconic name like Sweeney would do for your cache within bare-knuckle boxing?
“It’s a very big fight for me, you know, because he’s a legend in BKB. But I know a hundred percent I can beat him. I don’t know, I just believe too much in myself I guess. But I know I have the power to knock anyone out. Because all my wins was like by knockout, my five wins are by knockout. So yeah, I know I can finish the fight. There’s no chance we’re going to fight for seven rounds, that’s impossible. As soon as that bell rings, I’m going for the kill. I’m going like everything or nothing.”
“So yeah, it’s interesting. But it’s going to be a big fight, you know. So yeah I’m happy because of this fight. He’s a legend, all respect to him. But I think now it’s my time, so yeah.”
Ionel Levitchi vs Jimmy Sweeney
You journeyed outside the BKB circuit and bested JD Burns at BYB 12 in London. Can you speak to the cross-promotional relationship with BYB Extreme and BKB in the context of how many great opportunities it provides the combatants involved?
“That show was amazing in London when they came first-time. It was good. JD Burns again is a very tough fighter. He has a lot of experience. Had been knocked down a couple of times, he won the fight after. He’s a very strong guy. But I think I just overpowered him and I just knocked him out. I knocked him down like three times before the knockout. So yeah I’m looking forward to compete again in Trigon again, of course a hundred percent. Whether it’s going to be even in USA or UK, yeah I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m interested to take every belt (laughs), you know what I mean? So yeah, even now with this fight, we fight 80 kilos. My weight division is like 75, 76 but I’ll take any opportunity. Of course, I’m not going to take heavyweight fights but I’m happy to do like 70 to 80 kg. So I’m happy to do this. Of course, I’m looking forward to maybe to take the Police Gazette belt as well in the near future. So yeah, let’s see what opportunity comes in the way.”
