Gracious Goodjohn keen to progress with victory over Hibbert

Gracious Goodjohn keen to progress with victory over Hibbert

Tyler Goodjohn will go toe-to-toe with John Wayne Hibbert on Saturday night at the O2 Arena, live on Sky Sports, for the WBC International light welterweight title.

The 10-round contest will act as support to Kevin Mitchell’s WBC Silver lightweight title fight against Mexico’s Daniel Estrada, whilst Ricky Boylan will have a second consecutive crack at the English strap when he meets Tommy Martin.

Goodjohn, a 23-year-old Cambridge resident, turned in a career best performance to defeat the aforementioned Boylan in his last outing, and is confident of repeating the trick when he tackles the on-form Hibbert.

Hibbert (14-2, 8KO’s) also claimed a career best win in his last bout, when he emphatically stopped Leonardo Esteban Gonzalez in the fifth round. Twice outpointed, albeit narrowly, by Kevin McIntyre (in Prizefighter over three rounds) and Dave Ryan respectively, the Essex boy is four fights into a winning knockout streak and has repeatedly expressed his desire to secure a shot at the famous Lord Lonsdale belt.

The Peter Sims trained and managed Goodjohn, nicknamed ‘The Tornado’, is well aware of his foes strengths. Nevertheless, he views Hibbert as an obstacle that he simply must overcome.

“Hibbert is pretty solid all round, but he’s nothing out of the ordinary and he isn’t as special as he seems to believe he is.” Goodjohn said of his opponent.

“I used to get along with him. But in the last six months I’ve grown to dislike him. He has gotten involved with everyone’s business and caused problems with fights. Now he’s just a person who is in my way and nothing else!”

Goodjohn (11-3, 4KO’s) has struggled for recognition for most of his five year professional career and he has suffered setbacks along the way. Defeats at the hands of Vinny Woolford, Danny Cassius Connor and Tyrone Nurse almost plunged the humble contender into life as a journeyman. However, his fantastic boxing display and show of fortitude during his majority decision victory over Boylan, not to mention the overwhelming joy of raising the English title, rejuvenated him.

“The English title meant everything to me. It was my world title. I’ve never been the kind of person to shout from the roof tops that I’m the next big star, and to be champion of my country was a very proud moment that I’ll cherish forever.”

“And to now be able to add another belt is amazing. Especially with it being one that puts you in the top 25 in the world and one of those lovely green belts. It may not be the real WBC belt, but it’s a start.” The challenger enthused.

Should Goodjohn come through his encounter with Hibbert and have his arm raised by the referee, there is the potential of a future dust up with Tommy Martin. The pair have traded insults and their rivalry has become quite personal courtesy of numerous back and forth jibes on social networking website, Twitter.

Goodjohn readily admits that there is no love lost between the two of them and he’d be glad to take on the young prospect, but only if Martin first bests Boylan. Although Goodjohn predicts that his last opponent will be too fit and too strong for the unbeaten 20-year-old.

“If I’m totally honest, it’s (the heated rivalry) because we are polar opposites in character. I’ve never begrudged a fighter success in this sport and I never will because it’s the toughest game out there.”

“I’ve always kept my feet on the ground, respected those above me and, like I say, I’ve never shoved being the next big thing down people’s throats like Martin has. I fully believe it’s just immaturity and maybe with age and experience, he may change his ways and become more respectful. But until he does that he will never be on my Christmas card list. I just can’t stand arrogance, it’s a horrible trait!”

“If he gets through the fight with Boylan, he will have earned the fight with me. So 110-percent in 2015. Hopefully back in Cambridge as well, that would be fantastic.”

- Stevie Adams Jr / @StevieAdamsJr