Danny Quartermaine - a champ in waiting
Quartermaine: it’s time for a step-up in class
LEAMINGTON, a royal spa town, was placed on the boxing map by Randolph Turpin.
His memorable world middleweight title victory over Sugar Ray Robinson – the sweetest of them all – took place close to 72 years ago.
It has been a long wait, but the Warwickshire town has found a fighter capable of again making it a byword for boxing in former top amateur Danny Quartermaine.
The 25-year-old is a human buzzsaw in the ring, possesses the spite needed by champions and has a phenomenal fanbase. He is blessed by the degree of support.
At Coventry’s Sports Connection last night (Saturday), Quartermaine notched-up his eighth straight pro win, dominating every second of every session against Simas Vilosinas.
The tough Lithuanian, who has seven wins in 117 contests, is boxing’s equivalent to 1970s Weeble toy. He can be wobbled, but not knocked down. The very best on the domestic scene have tried and failed.
Quatermaine can now join the illustrious list.
He worked Vilosinas’ body like a logger felling a mighty red wood. He landed every punch in the book, but Vilosinas refused to budge.
Quartermaine appeared to accept his East European was there until the final bell, eased off the gas and settled for a landslide 40-36 decision.
Danny is a rare talent and needs a title fight and 10 rounds. He has the ability to take a belt at feather, junior-light or lightweight.
Guided correctly, Quartermaine will feature in the British title mix.
Getting “up” for opponents such as Vilosinas over the apprentice four round distance must be difficult for Danny, but he does it.
Last night was a routine outing for Danny and he’s now beyond routine outings. The L plates are off, it’s time Quartermaine’s team took chances and he has the ability to prevail.
It is time the wider public saw what a rich talent Quartermaine is.
He told me: “I’m looking at super-feather (junior-lightweight in old money),” he said, “but if the opportunity came at feather, I’d take it. A day before weigh-in opens up a whole new experience.
“I want to push faster. I want to get on bigger shows, break into TV shows. As an amateur, I competed for four to five years at elite level with the top lads in the country.
“The last time I fought was on the same bill as the James Beech-Raza Hamza featherweight title fight (won by Beech on points). No disrespect to James, but I beat him three times in the amateurs. It was nice to see him win because it allowed me to look at the levels and titles I can achieve.
“I look at the fighters I faced in the amateurs and what they’ve achieved and think it only brings glory to my name. Even back then I was always told I had a style more suited to the professionals. I’ve always had those energy levels, I’ve always been all action. After three rounds, I felt as if I was just warming-up.”
I have reported on boxing for half-a-century and will predict with confidence that Danny Quartermaine is a champ in waiting.
Just don’t let him wait too long.