Lennox Clarke has vowed not to let his young daughter Ava Lily anywhere near the ring for his latest and biggest fight later this month as he sets his sights on the British Super Middleweight and Commonwealth Titles.
Not only does the Birmingham-based fighter not want the two-year-old to see him “steam-roller” his opponent, in their big title fight on home soil on November 30, he admits she was also too big a distraction last time out.
Clarke dispatched of Darryl Sharp on points in his warm-up fight last month but says it will be a very different battle when he faces Leronne Richards for the Lord Lonsdale strap at Arena Birmingham in a fight which he says will not be for the faint-hearted.
“There are two belts at stake here and I’m fighting in my home town of Birmingham and I’ll be going in there to steam roller him,” he said. “This is the big time for me and this is my stage. I’ll have the home support but Ava won’t be one of them.
“Last time out I let my partner – Rebecca – bring her and that was a massive mistake. It actually was because my mom and partner both wanted to come so I didn’t have a baby sitter but it was not a good idea. She just kept shouting “Hello Daddy” and I admit it was a distraction.”
Even if Ava did attend on November 30 it is unlikely she would be heard as a large crowd is expected to pack into the arena for the fight which sees the two pugilists go toe to toe in a bid to claim both belts.
“I’m from Birmingham and he’s from South West London so it’s no secret I’m going to have the home support,” he added.
“I’ve been really working towards this and my strength and conditioning coach has really got me fired up for it.
“Yes people are saying Leronne is technically a better fighter than me but it doesn’t matter how good he is because I’m just going to steam roller him.
“For the last few weeks now I’ve worked solidly now and people will see that when I step in that ring.
“I’ve waited a long time for this and it is two belts for the price of one. Ava will know when I get home that Daddy is the Champ. That’s good enough for me.”
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