Move over Ironman, Here comes “The War Machine” Larry Olubamiwo
Interview by Damien Norman
“I just wanna fight whoever is in my way.” — Larry Olubamiwo
Enter Larry “The War Machine” Olubamiwo, 9-1, 8 KO’s, one of the hottest heavyweight prospects currently to come out of the UK.
The man from Hackney, London stands at a massive 6’4 in height and has a physique that has had many Boxing insiders reminiscing of the past. At 32 he is a late arrival in the professional game but with a staggering 8 knockouts in his 9 wins (and only one loss) you get the sense he is going to make up for lost time.
In his last outing he knocked out Dave Ferguson, who was another hot prospect in the first round in what was an English Title Eliminator.
Olubamiwo funded his own trips to the states to train with Freddy Roach at the Wildcard Gym, LA and even had some words of wisdom from the legendary Lennox Lewis.
A likeable, humble character outside of the ring, RSR caught up with him this week.
DN: At what age did you start Boxing and what was your inspiration behind it?
I started boxing at 18 while I was a sprinter. I did boxing training during the off season as I enjoyed it, and it kept me in good shape but I didn’t start competing till I was 27 because of personal circumstances. For as long as I can remember I have always watched Boxing, especially the big fights and that was my inspiration.
DN: Of your 10 fights to date you have 9 victories and an impressive 8 of these are by KO… You can bang a bit, right!?
Just a bit. I have always had explosive power being a sprinter and that transferred into the Boxing. I have never had to really train for punching power, it comes very naturally to me.
DN: You are the current BBBOC Southern Area Heavyweight Champ and recently defeated Dave Ferguson in what was an English Title Eliminator. What are your ambitions for 2011 and what success do you hope to add to this?
In 2011, I want to be the British and Commonwealth Champ. That is my goal for 2011 and I am confident that I can achieve that goal.
DN: You suffered your only (and unexpected) defeat to awkward journeyman Daniel Peret in your 5th fight. What went wrong that night and how did that defeat affect you?
In the build up to that fight I was moving house at the time and was working full time as I couldn’t get any time off work and training full time, so by the time I got to the ring I was burnt out. I had 2 good rounds in me and that was it, and the training went well so I knew it must have been fatigue. That defeat though made me take a long hard look at myself as a boxer and made some choices that have helped me to become a better Boxer.
DN: Boxing critics, including your promoter Frank Maloney have said “Larry Olubamiwo has lots of promise but is a bit raw.” How do you respond to this and what are the main things you feel you need to improve and work on?
I feel that I was raw in the beginning but I now think that I am becoming a lot more accomplished as a boxer. I still need to work on my conditioning and my technique and ring savvy, which I am doing and will continue to do.
DN: Your immaculate physique has been likened to Frank Bruno of the nineties. We see many Heavyweights turning up very much out of shape; how important do you feel it is to be in such great condition as a Boxer and how does it help you when you step into the ring?
I think a lot of Boxers whose physiques don’t look very good are not looking at their diet enough. There are a lot of boxers that don’t look in shape but can do 12 rounds, but I feel that it is important for boxers to look like athletes to entice the viewing public into watching heavyweights.
DN: Here in the UK we have a few Boxers including yourself that are on the rise and making a name for themselves. Another one of those prospects is Tyson Fury. As a whole, the opinion of him seems to be divided and he is a Boxer that definitely has the Marmite effect! Rightly or wrongly he is the current English Heavyweight Champion… What are your thoughts on him and do you feel he deserved the opportunity to fight John McDermott for that title or was there other Boxers such as yourself more deserving? Also, a word on the controversy surrounding the first fight?
I think Tyson Fury is a good boxer and very ambitious and I think he lost the first fight with McDermott but redeemed himself in the rematch and showed a lot of heart. He deserved to fight McDermott as he issued the challenge but I think he now knows that he still needs to develop.
DN: There are two huge World title fights imminent featuring some top UK Heavyweights; David Haye vs. Audley Harrison and Derek Chisora taking on the mighty Wladimir Klitschko. What are your thoughts on both fights and your predictions?
I think that David Haye will beat Audley but I don’t think it will be as easy as everyone seems to think. Audley has skills and could give Haye some problems but I think Haye will stop him.
I think Derek will give a very good account of himself against Wladimir but I think Wlad will wear him down and stop him late… but stranger things have happened and Derek is very determined so you never know.
DN: Are there any Boxers out there that you would love to prove yourself against and why?
No, I just wanna fight whoever is in my way.
DN: So, to conclude, what can the Boxing World expect from “The War Machine” in 2011?
You can expect me to put good performances together that will culminate with the British and Commonwealth titles God willing.
Upon speaking with big Larry O’ I couldn’t help but admire his honest approach to Boxing and his realistic aims for 2011. At 32 many Boxer’s are looking at their career and counting on one hand how many years they have left in the ring, but here is a guy that came into the game late and is putting everything in place to ensure he is ready for every opportunity that springs his way.
Although it is clear that “The War Machine” is taking his time to progress and nurture into a more complete Boxer, it is inevitable that he is going to have to become a bit more active as, at 32 and with many young Heavyweights emerging onto the scene in the UK the spotlight can quickly become distorted although the Hackney banger will soon get his chance to shine and it is amazing what a couple of significant victories can do for your career…just take a look at Derek Chisora.
With the promotion and backing of Frank Maloney, who played a big part in Lennox Lewis’s career and managed him to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World it would seem that Olubamiwo stands in good stead for future progression and getting the opportunities that he deserves.
2011 could be a big year for Larry Olubamiwo, and if he lives up to the early promise he has shown then you can only envisage big opportunities coming his way.
Larry Olubamiwo
Nickname: “The War Machine”
Division: Heavyweight
Professional Record: 9-1, 8 KO’s
Date Opponent W-L-D Location Result
2008-10-17 Vlado Szabo 2-33-0 Bethnal Green, UK W TKO 1
2008-11-15 David Ingleby 6-22-1 Bethnal Green, UK W TKO 2
2009-01-23 Mihai Iftode 3-26-1 Stoke, UK W KO 2
2009-03-20 Michal Skierniewski 3-3-1 Newham, UK W KO 1
2009-05-02 Daniil Peretyatko 15-21-0 Sunderland, UK L PTS 6
2009-09-11 Norbert Sallai 9-11-0 Brentwood, UK W TKO 1
2009-11-20 Yavor Marinchev 5-16-0 Nottingham, UK W PTS 6
2010-01-22 Scott Belshaw 10-3-0 Brentwood, UK W TKO 1
2010-05-14 Colin Kenna 16-10-2 Dagenham, UK W KO 1
vacant BBBofC Southern Area Heavyweight Title
2010-06-25 Dave Ferguson 12-2-0 Brentwood, UK W KO 1