Former English Super Lightweight Champion sets sights on spoiling March 2 party
Billy Allington (11-3-4) battles ‘Marvellous’ Mark Smither (12-0) for the IBO International Championship at Casino Resort Toronto on March 2. Floor seats are sold-out, with individual tickets still available via Ticketmaster.
Carlos Verde (United Promotions, CV): Billy, you are no stranger to championship contests. British Title, WBC International Silver, English — you’ve seen it all before.
Billy Allington (BA): All of that has prepared me for this moment, and I plan to win there in Toronto, in a great arena, and then go on and become British champion.
It’s truly a fantastic opportunity, and the sky’s the limit — if you don’t take advantage of opportunities like this, you won’t get them again. I’ll be as strategic as possible, and have faith in myself and my team. When you’re in there with champions, drawing from those experiences, and having been a champion myself, I know I’ll be victorious.
CV: The brand-new Casino Resort Toronto is only 40 minutes down the highway from your opponent’s hometown, and it’s sure to be a hostile environment for you.
BA: When we’re in the ring, I’m home. Doesn’t matter where I’m boxing, wherever in the world the sport takes me.
I went to Chicago as an amateur, and won. I’m preparing myself to put on a great fight, and hopefully I can win a few fans over in Canada!
It’s going to be two skilled showmen performing, and I’d like to walk away with the respect of the Canadian supporters.
CV: Take us through what your training regimen has looked like in camp for this International title fight.
BA: I’ve been more diligent in my approach to training strategically, having always been serious about it I’ve actually overtrained and underfed for many years. A lot of fighters do; that resilient mindset can sometimes be an asset, but sometimes it can also be a defect.
Away from the sport, I’m in a really excellent place and focusing on giving my service to the world, giving back; sometimes in prior camps I was spending too much time by myself, in solitude.
It’s nice to be around people, my preparation’s been fantastic — I’m flowing in life, and have got a good feeling for the fight against Smither.
CV: Lastly, what’s the game plan for you on March 2nd? You seem quite confident for the visiting corner!
BA: Look, this is going to be a fight for the boxing connoisseur. With Smither and I’s styles, us both having endurance, I think fans will see a great display of boxing.
This Englishman is coming over to show his class, and return home with a championship belt!
England’s Billy Allington battles ‘Marvellous’ Mark Smither for the IBO International Super Lightweight Championship on March 2 at Casino Resort Toronto. Floor seating is sold-out, with individual tickets still available via Ticketmaster.
