Shakeel “The Jamaican Juggernaut” Phinn (24-3-1, 16 KO) returns to the ring on May 27, when he will face Oakville’s Ryan Young (15-4, 11 KO) for the IBO Americas Super Middleweight Title.
United’s Carlos Verde spoke with Phinn from his home in Brossard, Quebec, during training camp ahead of his 29th professional fight — his biggest since returning to the ring following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carlos Verde, United Boxing Promotions (CV): Shakeel, let’s talk about the matchup with Ryan Young right off the bat. An IBO belt is on the line, you’re facing one of the best veterans Ontario has to offer.
Shakeel Phinn (SP): Ryan Young’s always been there, he fought Patrice Volny who I’ve sparred many rounds with. Patrice and I fought as amateurs and are are friends as pros, (and) I believe he won a split decision against Young.
I’ve been looking up some film on him to get ready. He has a good right hand, solid jab, (and) for a tall guy he knows how to find the inside. I’m excited to fight for this title, because I was ranked in the Top 20 pre-COVID, when I won the NABF and IBF titles, (and) I want to get back into the Top 20, Top 15 mix.
It’s going to be a great fight!
CV: Young is known for being a big ticket-seller and having an energized fan base. As a guy who has fought as the away side a few times, how do you plan to manage a potentially hostile environment in Brampton?
SP: Ontario might not be my home, but I have a lot of family in Toronto and have built up fans down there too.
The Jamaican and Caribbean community is going to be there for me — I’m excited to bring them in, and I’ll have a good chunk of people myself in Brampton!
Ultimately this is an individual sport, you block out the noise (and) there’s nothing that the crowd can do for Ryan once we’re in the ring.
CV: Three steady wins for you in 2022 as you worked off some ring rust. How do you feel?
SP: Ending 2019, the loss in Poland (UD to Mateusz Tryc) was one of my worst performances ever.
We started 2022 off strong, and I stopped Jose Perez — who had a great chin — in my first fight with United. Then, the fight against Vlad (Belujsky) was the same style, very tough and I think the fight with him got me to where I left off pre-Poland.
When I won the titles in 2019, that was me at my best. Entering this fight with Ryan Young, I’m feeling great. I wish the fight was tomorrow!
My coaches are saying this is my come-out fight, (and) if I beat him I’ll get some more fans in Ontario.
CV: Let’s talk about Zaire, your 14-month-old son, and how your motivations have changed over the course of your career as a professional.
SP: Going into 2022, I wasn’t sure about my career. I was thinking maybe I’d just stick with running a gym, doing well.
Then, when he was born I realized I can’t tell my son that I decided not to pursue boxing because COVID hit, or that my career ended on a loss I’m not happy with.
I talked to my coach, said I wanted to come back, and every day Zaire gives me motivation to push.
He is the love of my life, (and) every time I think about him I push even harder. I’m feeding my family. This is for him, man, all these fights are for him.
CV: Lastly, let’s talk about those Jamaican roots. You wear the colours on your trunks, you just recently went down with your family on vacation. How much does the country mean to you?
SP: It plays a big role!
I’m not just fighting for me, there’s a history of boxing in Jamaica (and) a whole bunch of athletes who have made their mark. I want to be one of those athletes that makes their mark.
(United President) Tyler (Buxton) loves Jamaica, (and) I love to rep my country.
A dream of mine is to fight in Jamaica, (and) hopefully after the Young fight we can make that happen.
To fight on that soil, be in my roots, would be huge. I come out to Sizzla’s Can’t Keep A Good Man Down — that’s a Jamaican artist, and a song that represents my career.
Shakeel Phinn faces Ryan Young for the IBO Americas Super Middleweight Title on May 27 at Brampton’s CAA Centre. Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.ca, and will sell out — do not delay!
Ringside with Carlos is a column written by United Promotions Ring Announcer Carlos Verde, featuring reflections on Ontario boxing, fighter profiles and feature stories on those in the fight game.
