European and Commonwealth super-bantamweight king Kid Galahad tackles South American opposition this Saturday night (September 20) at the Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, when he meets heavy-handed Brazilian Adeilson Dos Santos for the vacant IBF Youth title.
Yet, while his next opponent has Galahad’s full and complete focus, that hasn’t stopped the Sheffield favourite casting an eye over the exploits of his two major domestic rivals, Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg, both of whom were recently involved in world title action.
“Quigg put on a good performance and did what he had to do, but his opponent (Stephane Jamoye) isn’t even really a European-level fighter, at least not at super-bantamweight,” said Galahad. “He was a lot smaller than Quigg and didn’t come with anything to hurt him. But you can only beat the person put in front of you and Quigg did well under the circumstances.
“The thing is, I don’t think Scott Quigg has boxed anybody world-class yet. I personally think Jazza Dickens would beat Scott Quigg if they fought. I wouldn’t even be that competitive.”
Galahad, of course, dramatically stopped Dickens in the tenth round of a bruising British title encounter in September 2013. And, not only does Galahad believe Quigg would steer clear of someone like Dickens, he also believes the WBA Regular champion would avoid fighting Adeilson Dos Santos, too.
“My next opponent is young, he’s hungry and he’s undefeated,” said Galahad, 17-0 (9 KOs). “He has a good amateur pedigree, he’s coming to fight and he’s coming to win.
“Quigg and his people wouldn’t take that kind of risk. They wouldn’t put him in with an unbeaten puncher from Brazil. Quigg knows his level. He’s happy being just a regular champion and fighting kids who aren’t good enough to compete at a world-class level. He has found his level and he’s happy there.
“I personally believe Quigg has overachieved. I don’t see much ability there. I think he has got lucky. When I watch him fight, I see nothing that impresses me.
“Unlike him, I’m not in this game to stand there and get hit. I’m in this game to dish out as much punishment as I can and then not take anything in return. Quigg loves someone to stand in front of him and have a fight. That gives him the chance to plant his feet and punch. But it’s different when you’re getting hit by punches and then not being given the chance to land some of your own. Quigg would have nightmares with me.”
As for Frampton, the newly crowned IBF world super-bantamweight champion, Galahad has a similar prognosis.
“I thought he boxed well,” he said. “(Kiko) Martinez is tough and put up a good fight, but he also looked a little gun-shy and was wary of Frampton’s power because of what happened last time they met.
“Again, though, Kiko was happy to give and take punishment. That made it easy for Frampton to outbox him. But when you get in the ring with me, I don’t give you those chances. You’re only taking punishment with me.
“I personally believe I’d give Frampton a lot of trouble. There’s not much you can do against the kind of style I’ve got. Getting in the ring with me is like playing a game of chess with a Grandmaster.”
For now, though, all the talk is of Frampton and Quigg meeting in a unification match at some point in the near future. It’s a fight Galahad would like to see and one he expects the Belfast man to win.
“I think it would be an easy night for Frampton,” he said. “He’d go in there and do something similar to what he did against Kiko. He might even stop Quigg. He’s much more technical than Quigg and better all-round.”
But if politics ultimately prevent a fight between Frampton and Quigg from happening, Galahad is more than happy to throw his hat in the ring and get involved.
“It’s now about getting the right fights at the right time and building up towards a world title fight in 2015,” said the 24-year-old. “I’m fully confident I’ll fight for a world title next year. And I really hope I’ll fight either Scott Quigg or Carl Frampton. Either of them will do. I personally believe I’d beat them both on the same night.”
The exciting undercard will also see another IBF title up for grabs when Adam Etches fights Samir Santos Barbosa for the IBF International Middleweight title.
Popular Sheffield fighter Scott Jenkins will also be in action along with local fighters Atif Shafiq, Sam O’Maison, Callum Hancock, Jordan Gill of Chatteris and Tyson Fury’s brother Young Fury.
The packed crowd will also see highly regarded featherweight prospect Yusuf Safa from Bexleyheath in action.
Limited tickets for the Hennessy Sports promoted event at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, priced at £35 general admission and £100 ringside are still available to purchase by calling the SIV ticket box office on
0114 223 3777.
Tickets are also available from www.sivtickets.com or in person at the Sheffield City Hall, Crucible Theatre and Motorpoint Arena Sheffield.
