Sam Maxwell aims to rebuild his career after a disappointing world title challenge.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist would succumb to Alejandro Meneses for the IBO Super Light Title back in April 2022 - blemishing his undefeated 16-0 record via 9th round TKO.
Now, after reuniting with his boyhood club ‘Salisbury ABC’ and fathering baby boy ‘Omari’ in the 10-month ring recess, the veteran contender aims to kickstart his remaining competitive years.
This Saturday (18th February), preluding the Wood vs Lara WBA Featherweight World Title showdown, he squares off against Walsall’s Shaun Cooper at the 10,000-capacity Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
Speaking exclusively to the ECHO, Maxwell remains headstrong in bouncing back from the slip but acknowledges the lessons learnt against Menses.
“I was too eager to impress,” admits Maxwell.
“I was a bit too confident of my punching power and not respectful enough of my opponent’s. I know, if I went in there again, I’d be a lot more relaxed and ready to put on a ‘boxing show’.
“I went in there just looking to land big shots and I got caught first. I never recovered from it.
“It’s a self-confidence thing. Once you’ve been stopped, you’re thinking ‘will it happen again?’ It’s just about getting on with it.
“But in training, I’ve been flying. My coach has got me firing on all cylinders, I’m confident in my coach, Paul ‘Eddie’ (Edwards). I’m feeling so good, it’s not gonna affect me.
“I’ve been hurt before in fights in the amateurs and got through it. Then I’ve come back and put on good performances in the next fights. I know it’s something I’m capable of doing. I’m not letting it faze me too much.”
Admittedly feeling ‘frustrated’ getting fights since the IBO shortfall, Maxwell remains optimistic there are still enticing fixtures ahead of him.
His British title may have been relinquished upon accepting the IBO challenge, but the appeal of his Commonwealth Boxing Council Super Light Title makes for a wealth of domestic dust-ups.
“I’ve got to regroup and look for what’s next,” admits Maxwell.
“I’m keen for the British title against Dalton Smith. He’s a superstar at the minute with DAZN.
“Everyone rates him, they think he’s gonna go on to world honours. I’d love to test myself against him. That’s a fight I want.
“Robbie Davies Jr vs Liam Paro is a great matchup. I looked at Paro last year as an opponent, he’s a great fighter.
“We know how good Robbie is. It’s a fight I’m interested in watching as a fan.
“For Liverpool, it’d be massive. But our careers have gone on completely different paths, I don’t know how likely we are to lead together. Regardless, I’ll be looking out for that one and hoping he comes through it.”
At 34 years old, an articulate Maxwell concedes his physical prime may have slipped by.
But despite a long amateur career - which included Team GB and World Series of Boxing honours (where he fought a young Vasyl Lomachenko twice) - the Scouse slugger maintains the body has preserved well.
With Father Time at bay for now, there’s plenty of fire in the kiln for the Hackney-born bruiser.
“Having a kid gives me another reason to push myself that little extra every day,” informs Maxwell.
“I’m not just doing it for myself now; I’m doing it for him, to provide that life for him.
“But also, I know that there’s someone there who, in the future, they can look back on my career and be proud of me no matter what.
“I don’t wanna finish the game without showing people how good I feel I am. That’s what’s keeping me going; that’s what’s pushing me on.
“I’m back at my Solly (Salisbury ABC) gym now where my amateur career took off.
“I wanna leave a legacy there for anyone coming through, someone to follow in my footsteps, like a role model. I wanna leave my mark there for them.
“It’s not a long career and boxing isn’t a very lucrative one, but I’m hoping I’ll have some big fights this year - a chance to make a bit of money.
“But that’s not the main thing. If you’re in boxing for the money, then boxing’s not the sport. It’s only the 1% that makes any money.”
