Pikire: the Big Ego is back with a victory

Samuel Pikire….a fighter with very lofty ambitions

WHEN you carry the ring nickname “Big Ego”, a slip can leave considerable egg on your face.

Junior lightweight Sam Pikire – a man who once described himself to me as “the next big thing”, a man who dubbed himself Big Ego – has suffered suffered such a setback.

Last June, the Longbridge 29-year-old was outpointed by Stu Greener in his second pro outing.

Now a full time boxer, Pikire returned at Edgbaston’s H Suite and took every session of his four rounder with John Spencer, a Manchester fighter on a long losing streak.

Pikire ignored the showboating, strung together eye-catching combinations and was good value for the 40-36 decision.

There was only one minor scare for the home fighter, having his first outing in nine months. Pikire, now with a 2-1 record, appeared to feel a big right hand that clattered against his whiskers in the fourth. Other than that, it was pretty much plain sailing. 

Defeat to Greener has not deflated or diminished Pikire’s ego, I can report.

He today: “It was about getting back to winning ways. I got caught with some silly shots, but I was pleased with the performance.

“One hundred per cent I believe I can be British champion – all I do now is box.”

Of his only loss, he explained: “I was up against a welterweight.”

The game has certainly gained a larger-than-life character in Pikire. He can talk the talk.

He’s also got 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 an interview last year, he told me:  “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.”

Listing the attributes that will propel him to the top, he said: “Unique head movement. For the weight I fight at, I’m very strong and I’ve got a slick boxing IQ.

“I know when to mix it up to keep the crowds entertained, as well as staying safe and boxing. A good fighter lands good shots, a great fighter - like me - creates and lands them.

“The difference between me and these boxers is that when they fight their friends asks them, ‘oh did you win, mate?’ Do you know what they ask me? ‘So what round did you get him?’

 “I can go as far as challenging for a world title. Of course, as a fighter I know everyone say that because they like to stay positive, but I’m a realist.

 “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 29 now’, but I’m like fine wine. I’m better with time and my skills are like gold, they get better with time, too.

“My body hasn’t got a lot of mileage on it, so I’ll be around to do a lot for boxing.” Behind the bravado is, I believe, a shrewd individual with a solid sales strategy. He’s going for the Marmite factors: fans will come in equal numbers to see Pikire either victorious or humbled. There’s money in being a pantomime villain, Muhammad Ali discovered that.