10-23-2015, 08:08 PM
Batman more than ready for Betham
James "Batman" Langton believes he is in the shape of his life ahead of facing Monty Betham next month.
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A lack of interest in him from outside of Taranaki is not fazing James "Batman" Langton ahead of his New Zealand cruiserweight boxing title defence against Monty Betham.
The scheduled 10-round fight will take place at Auckland's SkyCity on November 3. The pair will meet again in Hawera on December 3.
Despite being the champion, Langton said he had yet to receive any media attention from outside of Taranaki while Betham had been a regular on radio and television ahead of the bout.
"I think it's great because all the pressure is on him to perform," Langton said. "But I have been a bit disappointed because the whole emphasis has been on Monty, even though that has suited me.
"The plan at the start was to keep a low profile and get on with my business and the focus and the pressure has gone on him."
The 42-year-old, who has a nine win, two loss professional record, believed he was in the best shape of his career.
His management team had brought sparring partners down from Auckland as they have tried to replicate Betham's style of fighting over a three-week period.
The Opunake dairy farmer said while he was used to training hard for his bouts, the intensity of this preparation had been immense.
"I had a bit of burnout last week when I needed just to take a step back and rest for three or four days because my body was telling me I just needed to take a break. I did that and I've got straight back into it and it's worked a treat, I feel great, the best I ever have."
Langton will head to Auckland on October 29 where he will spend four days promoting the fight and doing the official weigh-in.
"This is by far the biggest fight I've been involved in and I didn't really know how much goes into it. There is just so much that has to be done."
He believed the biggest thing for him, aside from the physical aspects to the bout, was not letting his mind wander away from the task.
"I can't think of who I am fighting and what he has done in his sporting career, I just have to remember I've been in the ring with some of the best fighters in the country and beaten them."
The promoters of the fight, which is on the undercard of the Super 8 cruiserweight and light heavyweight four-man tournaments, have announced it would screen free-to-air on Sky Sport 1.
Other fights on the card include a New Zealand heavyweight match-up between Hemi Ahio and Alapati A'asa and Australian rugby league representative Paul Gallen and Warriors player Bodene Thompson.
- Stuff
James "Batman" Langton believes he is in the shape of his life ahead of facing Monty Betham next month.
.
A lack of interest in him from outside of Taranaki is not fazing James "Batman" Langton ahead of his New Zealand cruiserweight boxing title defence against Monty Betham.
The scheduled 10-round fight will take place at Auckland's SkyCity on November 3. The pair will meet again in Hawera on December 3.
Despite being the champion, Langton said he had yet to receive any media attention from outside of Taranaki while Betham had been a regular on radio and television ahead of the bout.
"I think it's great because all the pressure is on him to perform," Langton said. "But I have been a bit disappointed because the whole emphasis has been on Monty, even though that has suited me.
"The plan at the start was to keep a low profile and get on with my business and the focus and the pressure has gone on him."
The 42-year-old, who has a nine win, two loss professional record, believed he was in the best shape of his career.
His management team had brought sparring partners down from Auckland as they have tried to replicate Betham's style of fighting over a three-week period.
The Opunake dairy farmer said while he was used to training hard for his bouts, the intensity of this preparation had been immense.
"I had a bit of burnout last week when I needed just to take a step back and rest for three or four days because my body was telling me I just needed to take a break. I did that and I've got straight back into it and it's worked a treat, I feel great, the best I ever have."
Langton will head to Auckland on October 29 where he will spend four days promoting the fight and doing the official weigh-in.
"This is by far the biggest fight I've been involved in and I didn't really know how much goes into it. There is just so much that has to be done."
He believed the biggest thing for him, aside from the physical aspects to the bout, was not letting his mind wander away from the task.
"I can't think of who I am fighting and what he has done in his sporting career, I just have to remember I've been in the ring with some of the best fighters in the country and beaten them."
The promoters of the fight, which is on the undercard of the Super 8 cruiserweight and light heavyweight four-man tournaments, have announced it would screen free-to-air on Sky Sport 1.
Other fights on the card include a New Zealand heavyweight match-up between Hemi Ahio and Alapati A'asa and Australian rugby league representative Paul Gallen and Warriors player Bodene Thompson.
- Stuff