Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
After a chance meeting with Frank Warren in a pub Islington, London, The enigmatic cuts man “Mick the Knife” has attended to every boxer’s nightmare for what seems like an eternity.
When asked about his first boxing match as a cornerman, even he cannot remember his first fight “I do not know when it was but I had brown hair,” he joked.
It was 1981, and when Frank Warren needed an extra cornerman, he called on Mick to help him out, he obliged and a couple of years later, with help from Danny Holland and Ernie Fossey, Mick learned the cuts trade and has gone on to master his art.
The London cabbie has been nursing of the likes of Ricky Hatton and David Haye in a lengthy career, which has earned him the adulation of being widely known as the best cuts man in the business.
Ricky Hatton would almost certainly have lost to John Thaxton in 2000, but by his own admission, the worst he’s dealt with was in early 2010 in Liverpool, when he saved Paul Smith’s British Super-Middleweight Title in his 12 round war with Tony Dodson.
Smith was involved in several head clashes, which resulted in three terrible gashes to his head and eyes, of which 20 stitches were needed at the end of the fight.
(ROUND 1) What’s the best fight you have been involved in Mick?
“Has to be Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu in 2005, when Ricky won his first World Title.”
(ROUND 2) What's the best fight you have ever seen?
“Sugar Ray Robinson v Carmen Basilio in 1957.”
(ROUND 3) What’s the toughest part of being a cuts man?
“Staying calm under pressure.”
(ROUND 4) Who do you wish you had cornered for?
“Alan Minter.”
(ROUND 11) What’s your favourite Boxing Venue?
"The Albert Hall.”
(ROUND 12) Finally Mick…tell us something we don’t know about you?
“I am going Bald! Ha Ha.”
WBN Editor
When asked about his first boxing match as a cornerman, even he cannot remember his first fight “I do not know when it was but I had brown hair,” he joked.
It was 1981, and when Frank Warren needed an extra cornerman, he called on Mick to help him out, he obliged and a couple of years later, with help from Danny Holland and Ernie Fossey, Mick learned the cuts trade and has gone on to master his art.
The London cabbie has been nursing of the likes of Ricky Hatton and David Haye in a lengthy career, which has earned him the adulation of being widely known as the best cuts man in the business.
Smith was involved in several head clashes, which resulted in three terrible gashes to his head and eyes, of which 20 stitches were needed at the end of the fight.
Smith even admitted himself that without Mick, the fight would have been stopped and he would have lost his title.
I am positive he isn’t the only one.
“Has to be Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu in 2005, when Ricky won his first World Title.”
(ROUND 2) What's the best fight you have ever seen?
“Sugar Ray Robinson v Carmen Basilio in 1957.”
(ROUND 3) What’s the toughest part of being a cuts man?
“Staying calm under pressure.”
(ROUND 4) Who do you wish you had cornered for?
“Alan Minter.”
(ROUND 5 ) Best Trainer you have worked with?
“Billy Graham.”
(ROUND 6) Dream Fight: Who v Who?
“Lennox Lewis v Riddick Bowe.”
(ROUND 7) Childhood Hero?
“Joe Louis.”
(ROUND 8) Favourite all time Boxer?
“Sugar Ray Robinson.”
(ROUND 9) What do you do when you're not involved in Boxing?
“Drive my cab.”
(ROUND 10) What would you change in Boxing?
“Too many Titles.”
(ROUND 11) What’s your favourite Boxing Venue?
"The Albert Hall.”
(ROUND 12) Finally Mick…tell us something we don’t know about you?
“I am going Bald! Ha Ha.”