Tom Farrell understands the workings of boxing better than most. ‘Fazza’ has been a professional for nine years and is fully aware of the role he is expected to fill when he fights the unbeaten Khaleel Majid on the undercard of the 140lb clash between Jack Catterall and Jorge Linares this weekend.
Farrell (21-7, 5 KO’s) is the recognizable name on a poor run of form. He is supposed to pose the unbeaten Majid a few problems before fading away. The 33 year old junior welterweight is planning on providing a major plot twist.
Majid (11-0, 3 KO’s) has flashed impressively on the small hall scene but has yet to face anybody with anywhere near the level of experience of Farrell, who has been boxing at championship level since 2016.
“I’m looking forward to it. I don’t really think he’d had a tough fight yet. I think his last opponent had a winning record but he was nothing to write home about. He hadn’t beat anybody he shouldn’t have,” Farrell told Boxingscene.
“I think it’s a big step up for him. They’re hoping that I’m over the hill now and that I’m finished because my last couple of fights have been losses. I took [Harlem] Eubank close enough but just fell short and the last one – I’ll take nothing away from Henry Turner – but I picked up an injury during the fight so my corner decided to pull me out. The pressures on him really. They’re thinking I’m past it and it’s a chance to show that I’m not.”
Rather than being used as a stepping stone for Majid, Farrell plans to use this opportunity as a launchpad for a late career revival of his own. Apart from Alessandro Fersula – who he outpointed on his Matchroom debut in August – not one of Majid’s opponents have entered the ring with even a fraction of the motivation Farrell will. Farrell has held area and international belts but would love a crack at the British title before hanging up his gloves. He knows that beating Majid won’t catapult him directly into contention for the belt but it would be a crucial first step on the road towards it.
“I still see myself as being able to pick up titles. I’ve just got to get a bit of momentum behind me. With getting a win here I can put myself back on the map and go from here and try and get some more fights,” he said.
“It’s only an eight rounder. It’s perfect for me. I know I can do that easy. I’ve done 10 and 12 rounds. I’ve been in big, tough fights on the big stage and this is his first opportunity.
“He’s fought people who he’s been meant to beat really and I suppose they’re looking at me as somebody he’s meant to beat. Hopefully he’s thinking I’m going to be an easy touch and he’ll get a shock if that’s what he’s thinking.”