FightFranchise.com | Carl Dilks Exclusive Interview

Carl Dilks, 25 is a professional boxer from Liverpool. His record is currently 12-1 with 4 wins inside the distance. He trains out of the Elite Gym under the tutelage of Karl Ince and is promoted by VIP Promotions.

His one loss came in the Prizefighter 5 tournemant when he lost in the Semi Final to Darren Stubbs. The result was controversial as he was initially announced the winner only for the result to change minutes later. He then lost his chance of winning the Prizefighter, which has led to bigger and better things for previous winners.

This Saturday night Carl is due to face fellow Prizefighter competitor Billy Boyle from Sheffield. It is for the vacant Masters International Masters light-heavyweight title and on a VIP Promotions card and for the winner could lead to an English or a British title shot. Also on the card are VIP prospects Jack Arnfield, Mike Stafford, Nick Quigley, amongst others

Fight Franchise’s Lee Collier travelled to the Elite Gym and spoke to Carl Dilks about his background, his upcoming fight and where he sees his career going.

FF: Can you tell us how you started in boxing and a little bit about your amateur background?

CD: I started boxing at the age of 11, I started out at Sefton ABC in Liverpool and when I was older I joined the army for 5 years. I boxed for the Army during that time, and then I left the Army and turned professional. I boxed for the Army team for 4 years and won a novice under 20’s national title whilst being trained by Chris Bessey.

FF: Being a professional boxer requires a lot of discipline, did being in the Army help you out in this respect?

CD: To an extent yes, but a lot of the time when training with the Army left you with bad habits, especially in regards to dieting and making weight. The good aspects were you train hard every day but the negatives were definitely on the diet side.

FF: You are fighting for the vacant Masters Light Heavyweight title, can you tell explain a little about the belt for those a little unfamiliar with it?

CD: Basically it’s a fringe title which when I win will put me into the top 10 ranking wise. This will enable me to start challenging for the bigger and better titles.

FF: You are facing Billy Boyle of Sheffield, whose last fight ended in defeat when he lost to Nathan Cleverly in a Commonwealth title fight. Do you feel this gives you a psychological advantage?

CD: Not really. Billy is a strong willed character, he is going to come forward and try to take my head off. And to be honest Nathan Cleverly is a class above everyone at the minute in Britain and I believe he is going to go far. So to be stopped by Nathan cleverly is not detrimental in any way, but I am looking forward to the fight now, the times right for me and I believe I am going to do a job on him.

FF: You competed in Prizefighter 5 alongside Billy Boyle, so you know about his boxing style, how are you preparing yourself in training?

CD: Basically I have been put through my paces in sparring, I have been doing 10 hard rounds of sparring, with basically the same sort of style, putting me on the back foot, bullying meand trying to take my head off with that big right hand.

FF: Going back to Prizefighter, in your semi final with Darren Stubbs you were announced the winner, only for the result to change and Stubbs went on to the final. Do you feel you had the ability to beat Tony Oakey in the final.

CD: I am not going to say I would have knocked out Tony Oakey, because I don’t think Iwould have. I would have gone into the final with a good chance, it was well within my grasp to win.

FF: If you beat Billy Boyle, what are your future plans? Are you looking for a British Title fight?

CD: When I beat Billy Boyle (laughs). This will be my last fight at Light Heavyweight, I only took it as I got the chance for this title fight, After this I will drop back down to Super middleweight and will hopefully get an English title shot at super middle.

FF: Will you have any troubles getting back down to the Super middleweight limit?

CD: All my fights when I weigh in I come in at 12st 4lb, I only moved up to Light Heavyweight for the Prizefighter series so I will comfortably make Super Middleweight.

FF: How long have you been with trainer Karl Ince and do you feel you have improved?

CD: I have been with Karl since 2007. I started out at Collyhurst and I wasn’t getting much in the way of tuition. I was just getting left alone to train on myself, so Karl took me under wing at the Elite gym. Karls brought me on leaps and bounds in 3 years, he is like a 2nd dad to me aswell as a trainer and I am very close to him.

FF: Your promoter Steve Wood is launching VIP TV in October, are you excited about the chance for boxing fans to see more of your bouts?

CD: It a great thing, any exposure to boxing fans is good exposure. I am looking forward to its launch

FF: Thank you for your time and good luck on Saturday in you title fight.

CD: No worries, catch you later