Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
‘Treasure’ expecting big call to come
World-rated light-welterweight Ashley Theophane has
exclusively told World Boxing News that his attempt to claim the Lonsdale belt
outright fell short due to a lack of motivation to fight at domestic level.
Theophane lost out to late replacement Darren Hamilton last
night at Aintree Racecourse in a somewhat controversial 118-113, 117-112,
115-113 decision, having thrown and landed almost an identical amount of
punches to the Bristol fighter.
The Liverpool bout represented the 31 year-old’s final defence
of the British title and the chance to achieve his goal of winning the belt for
keeps. The Londoner had took time out of his world championship ambitions to move
down to domestic level, having previously shared the ring with WBC champion
Danny Garcia, former WBO titlist DeMarcus Corley and current world title
challenger Delvin Rodriguez.
Ultimately though, a half-hearted Theophane became embroiled
in wars with hungry British fighters like Ben Murphy and made his pursuit of
the Lonsdale belt much harder for himself in the process.
The Hamilton fight was an accumulation of the three fights
that preceded it and Theophane has admitted that he lacked the motivation
needed to complete his target. And even though the New York-based stylist still
only needs one more British title victory to own the title, Theophane has no
plans to seek out a chance to avenge his loss last night.
“I have no desire to have a rematch with Darren Hamilton,”
Theophane told World Boxing News.
“I struggled to mentally get up for fights on the domestic
level and the writing has been on the wall for sometime.
“I have been going through the motions. My domestic
opponents will always be super motivated as I'm there biggest fight but their
name on my record has no meaning.
“I'm happy for Darren Hamilton. I have been in his
predicament so now he can make some money and get some limelight.
“I was successful before I was British champion and I will
be successful afterwards.”
‘Treasure’ has continually been offered high-profile fights
in the US as he pursued his British dream, turning down two slots on Floyd Mayweather
cards and more recently, an IBF #2 eliminator with Josesito Lopez in California
following the withdrawal of Kendall Holt.
“Along with the Mayweather and Golden Boy offers, Goosen
Tutor promotions have also offered me a big fight over the last few weeks,”
noted Theophane.
“I'm a big event type of fighter and they know this. I'm
respected on the world scene and that's where a man of my talent belongs.
“Win or lose I need to be in big fights.
“Delvin Rodriguez lost to me and two fights later, is
fighting for a world title. DeMarcus Corley is world number nine and I beat him
four years ago. Dereck Chisora and James Degale lost their British titles and went
on to fight for the world and European titles.
“I'm an elite fighter and I need to fight fellow elite
fighters. Hatton promotions promised me a big International fight so my team
will sit down and talk to them and make that fight happen.”