Bateson warns Quartermaine he’ll be fighting his entire family
Unbeaten Danny Quartermaine has been warned he won’t just be fighting Jack Bateson but also the Leeds’ boxer’s entire family when the pair clash for the IBF and WBO European titles in Sheffield on Saturday night, December 7, live on DAZN.
Despite his superior amateur pedigree and being a former Sky Sports scholar, Bateson has dismissed his opponent’s attempts to portray himself as the underdog ahead of their eagerly anticipated bout at the Canon Medical Arena.
The meeting between reigning champion Quartermaine and Bateson is viewed as being pivotal to both men’s careers, with the latter now competing in the super-featherweight division after previously being matched at super-bantam and featherweight.
Although Bateson believes that step-up will help him fulfil the potential he showed at the beginning of his career, when many observers were tipping him as a future world star, the 30-year-old highlighted the return of uncle Martin to his training camp, alongside father Mark as being the decision which will propel him into the global top 10.
“They know me better than anyone,” Bateson told SportsBoom.com. “It’s going to be a real family affair against Danny and it feels great to have them alongside me.
“The pair of them, they actually probably know me better than myself and that’s a powerful thing to have on your side. They know when I need to get a bit of a kick-up the backside and, most importantly, they aren’t afraid to give it to me either.
“I started out with my uncle at the beginning after turning pro, we had a few issues and then I ended up going elsewhere. But I’m back now and not only does it feel brilliant to be back with the family, my uncle’s style of doing things suits me down to the ground.”
Although some experts question the wisdom of tasking relatives with overseeing a corner, Bateson continued: “Nothing could be further from the truth for me. It might be a bit weird for my dad and his brother, because they’re totally different personalities. But that dynamic is brilliant for me and I know, whatever they tell me, they’ve got my best interests at heart. It’s great knowing they are up there with me.”
A former Team GB amateur, Bateson entered the paid ranks after being overlooked for the Rio Olympics. He won all of his first 17 outings before losing to IBO super-bantamweight king Shabaz Masaoud 25 months ago. Bateson enters the ring against Quartermaine, who has won all of his 12 contests so far, on the back of a three fight winning streak.
From Warwickshire, Quartermaine has previously operated at welterweight and revealed at Thursday’s media conference that he has invited a nutritionist into his camp to try and ensure he is in optimum condition on the scales.
“I feel this is the time when everything is coming together,” Bateson said. “Making weight is never easy but I’m making the right weight now. It’s even harder when you spend all those years trying to make the wrong one.
“I also don’t feel as if there’s any pressure on me whatsoever. Mentally I’m in a really good place and I’m just focusing on going in there and enjoying myself. When anyone, in any sport, enjoys themselves then that’s when you see their best performances – be it boxing, football or whatever.
“I know a lot of people are talking about my IQ and yes, I do believe I’m the better boxer. It’s called boxing for a reason and we’re not going in there for a pub brawl. But I can fight too and if anyone thinks I’m not going to be bringing power in there with me after coming up, then they’re going to be in for a big shock.”