Like all sports, boxing has taken a massive hit during this global pandemic with many fights delayed and no real guarantee, for some boxers, of rescheduled dates.
For Strood’s own Louis Greene though, this hasn’t been a problem as he will be fighting August 26th at the Production Park Studios in South Kirkby against undefeated Lewis Crocker for the WBO European Welterweight Title. The 28-year-old, known as ‘The Medway Mauler’, turned professional in 2015 and currently holds a record of 12 wins and 1 loss with 7 wins coming by KO.
CommunityAd caught up with Louis, hard in preparation for the biggest fight of his career, as he spoke to us about his love of the sport, training through COVID, and future ambitions…
What first attracted you to the sport of boxing?
My dad comes from a fighting family in Ireland who boxed and so did he, so it’s in the blood.
Who would you say have been your role models through the sport?
It would have to be my dad, I spend long hours training with him and his belief and dedication to training me always keeps me hungry, he puts in the work just as much as me. Also, my manager Mark Roe, he’s a really humble and loyal man in this sport and that’s rare to find.
When did you realise that you wanted to pursue a career in the professional ranks?
When I was young my dad took me to the York Hall and watched two men fight hard to the finish. The thrill of the fight had my adrenaline racing but as I got older, I had a few troubles growing up when not in the gym. Then I hit a point in my life where my dad said ‘now it’s time to turn over, keep focused and stay out of trouble.’
To those who may not have watched you box before, how would you describe your style?
I’m proud to say I have an exciting, come forward aggressive action style, so it doesn’t always look stylish but there’s guaranteed blood and knockouts!
How have you been able to adapt through this and still maintain things like top sparring to prepare you for this title fight?
I do a lot of my training in the woods and farm fields anyway so it hasn’t been too bad, there are a few inconveniences like sparring, but it’s all been allowed to take place just at the right time.
What would you say is your most memorable moment so far in your boxing career?
Either winning the Southern Area Title against a man that was supposed to beat me in Freddy Kiwitt, but having an absolute dog fight with him and dragging him into the trenches and winning on points, or beating Poland’s number 1 welterweight by knockout in 2 rounds, again being expected to lose. It has got to be one of those two.
You campaign at welterweight, who would you say is the best at 147Ibs currently in the UK and the world?
It has got to be Terrence Crawford, easy; he’s got everything and is a great fighting man. In the UK, there’s a lot of young talent coming through at the moment here so I couldn’t answer that but, based on his achievements alone, it’s got to be Amir Khan.
Do you have a goal of where you would like to be in the next 5 years?
Yes mate, I want to be loaded rich!
To be honest, I just go one fight at a time and set up a few things for my three children for when they’re older but fight wise, I’d like that British Title and always have since I was small but obviously my main goal currently is to become WBO European champion and take this (Lewis Crocker) unbeaten scalp on August 26th.