Pikire: Defeat taught me a valuable lesson

Samuel Pikire with Yours Truly…fights on Saturday night

FOR Sam “Big Ego” Pikire, the first stoppage loss of his pro career was a valuable lesson learned.

The big ego is still intact, if a little deflated.

In last month’s glitzy Box Off tournament, staged at Telford International Centre, Pikire was stopped in the fourth and final round by Darryl Tapfuma. The Longbridge junior-lightweight matched his immensely strong opponent until the fourth when fatigue set in.

The lesson learned? Sam says he’s discovered champs are made by what they do away from the gym, as much as what they do in it.

The 30-year-old, who has won three of five, has been handed a quick opportunity to get back on track.

On promoter Tommy Owens’ show this Saturday at the H Suite, Edgbaston, he faces Bradford’s Jake Pollard.

It’s a winnable four rounder: Pollard has had his hand raised only once in 54 outings.

When I spoke to Sam – one of the game’s true larger-than-life characters, he was still smarting over last month’s defeat.

“I was so upset,” he told me. “The main reason – outside the gym, I wasn’t doing what a fighter should do before a fight. It’s what you do outside the ring that counts.

“I trained hard for that fight, everything went great, but it’s what you do outside the gym that matters most. I’m just glad it happened at this stage in my career when I can put things right. If I was in my A game and someone beat me, I’d say, ‘this is my level’, but that wasn’t the case.

“I asked to get back out there straight away because the last thing I wanted was to have time off, getting depressed. I just can’t wait for Saturday, I’ve done good numbers.”

He added: “I have an exciting style. Win or lose, people will want me.”

Pikire has an interesting cover story. The dad-of-three was born in Zimbabwe and moved here when he was 12. That background has spawned another nickname, The African Ridgeback.

In a previous interview, he explained: “The ridgeback is an ancient dog that used to hunt lions. You wouldn’t think a dog could take on a lion and nobody thinks I can do what I do. But when it’s time to go, I will hunt you down. I’m unique.

“I turned pro late, but my style was always a professional style.

“I genuinely do believe when I am at my full potential my skills and character will take me far. People will say, ‘well, you are 30 now’, but I’m like fine wine. I’m better with time and my skills are like gold, they get better with time, too.”