Cory O’Donovan is more than satisfied to play the underdog role ahead of his Kingdom Combat Championship 3 title fight with Jack Axworthy on Feb. 25.
The amateur bantamweight is eager to continue riding the momentum of his debut at the back end of 2022, which saw him score a unanimous decision victory over Scott Sidwell at FCC 31.
However, his opponent, a respected multiple champion on the scene, has the experience factor heavily in his favour. That being said, O’Donovan feels as if there’s zero pressure or expectation on his side. That all lies with Axworthy.
We had the opportunity of catching up with Cory O’Donovan ahead of his title fight. Read the full exclusive interview below.
Interview With Cory O’Donovan
Kingdom Combat Championship is fast approaching, marking your second outing as an amateur. Just talk us through how things have been since getting your first fight under your belt. Was it everything you expected? Has it lit the obsession and fire even more, knowing you can do it?
It was an amazing feeling. The support I had back at the gym and at home was great. It’s a feeling that I look forward to again.
Having had time to reflect on your debut win against Scott Sidwell at FCC 31. Were you completely satisfied with your performance?
After watching the fight back, I’m far from satisfied with my performance. Although it was a dominant display, I still believe there is much more to my game than I got the chance to show. My striking that fight, I think, was quite one-dimensional as I was still finding my style; however, we have been refining and adding to my game throughout this camp, so I look forward to getting to show it off against one of the better strikers in the division.
Cory O’Donovan Discusses Amateur Debut
Win or lose, in every bout. You’ll leave with valuable lessons to take back to the gym with you. What key components did you take away from your debut that you translated straight back to the gym to improve on?
I think the main thing that I took away from my debut that has translated into my training is I gained a lot of confidence in my abilities. This has helped me massively, especially in my striking.
Kingdom Combat Championship 3, you’ll meet Jack Axworthy for the European bantamweight title. There are not many individuals lining up to fight Jack due to attaining two titles in different promotions and boasting a 7-0 record. Considering you’ve had one fight, as opposed to his experience, was there any hesitation in taking the fight? What was the team’s thinking?
There was no hesitation between my team and me. There was no hesitation, my team knows my aspirations in the fight game, and I know in myself that this type of opportunity doesn’t come around often, so I knew I would put my all into it. To me, it is a win-win situation. I either beat one of the best, or I gain valuable experience with one of the best and see where I’m at in terms of levels.
Fighting for Bantamweight Gold
How pleased are you to be fighting for a bantamweight title on your second outing? What would that mean to you to take the belt back to the gym at these early days of your amateur career?
I have actually had two other fights since starting the sport, one loss and one win. However, these were both in my first year of training, and it hasn’t been until this past year that I really started to find what works for me. It would mean the world to bring the belt back to the gym. We are building a good MMA team, and it will be amazing to show them that our hard work pays off.
Jack has experience and cage time heavily in his favour. How much of a factor do you feel that will play on Feb. 25? Does that slightly make it easier for you in the sense of less pressure, as perhaps many are expecting Jack to leave victorious?
For me, the pressure is all on him. For me, it’s a win-win situation for me, and it only makes the win feel that much better-knowing nobody in the crowd is expecting it.
Studying Jack Axworthy
There’s lots of footage out there for you to study Jack’s game and perhaps just the one fight of yourself for Jack to study. Have you had the chance to watch any of his previous fights? If so, what are your thoughts?
I’ve watched a lot of his previous fights, and to be honest, I had seen a lot of them before I had even been matched with him, I see holes in his game and know that my style lines up perfectly to exploit those holes and I think if he has studied my fight he’s going to be in for a surprise come fight night because he’s going to be up against a completely different fighter. That’s what is so good about being so early in my amateur career. My style is constantly changing and evolving.
In your own mind, where do you see the path to victory against Jack, and where do you feel his strengths lie? Is there any area, in particular, you feel you need to be aware of?
I don’t want to give too much away, but what I will say is that I believe I’ve got an answer to his best weapons.
Kingdom Combat Championship 3 on Feb. 25 in Liverpool. Cory O’Donovan vs. Jack Axworthy. Sell it to those apprehensive in tuning in or purchasing a ticket. How does Cory O’Donovan get his hand raised?
I get my hand raised by doing exactly what I’ve been training to do and fighting my heart out, I truly believe this will be one of the best fights of the night, 15 minutes of none stop action if it comes to that, and if all goes to plan, the underdog will come out on top.
Featured image credits to Graham Finney Photography
