It’s fight week for Cage Warriors in the capital. Sam Creasey prepares to defend his flyweight strap against Italian native Dylan Hazan.
Cage Warriors return to London, England, for the second time this year and have a stacked card in place. The promotion will celebrate their 20th year anniversary.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Cage Warriors flyweight champion Sam Creasey ahead of his title defence this Friday. Read the full exclusive interview below.
Interview With Sam Creasey
Two weeks until you meet Dylan Hazan in your first bout of 2022. How are the mind and preparation ahead of July 22nd?
I’m in a good place mentally, I think. It’s just another fight to me. I’ve spent a lot of time in the past putting far too much pressure on myself, but I’m very relaxed about this next one mentally. Prep has been somewhat chaotic with lots of issues. However, all the work needed to be done has been ticked off.
It’s been seven months since we last saw you out there. Have you just taken some time to heal up and reflect on the last few years? What have you been doing to keep yourself busy outside of competition?
Been far too long, I had hoped to get back in there in the first quarter of the year, but scheduling didn’t work in my favour, unfortunately. I’ve spent some time coaching, enjoying training again and trying to better myself as a human little by little.
Sam Creasey on Luke Shanks Fight
I have to touch on the last meeting with Luke Shanks. How did you take that loss, having already beaten him? Was it a tough one to take due to the weight-miss and him being ineligible to win the title and that whole saga?
The Luke scenario was a whole mash of emotions. Having trained together many times in the past and having a good relationship with him, it was difficult enough fighting without every other issue we went through! Not a tough loss to take for me, really, I fought poorly and was very much unlike myself, and Luke took a very decisive win, capitalising on his opening and finishing well.
Are you happy to put the Luke Shanks fights behind you for now and move forward and focus on a different opponent, or is that a fight you’re expecting again soon?
If the opportunity came again, we’d probably do it as it makes sense on paper that I should try and get that one back, but I think Luke’s sticking at 135 for now, and he looked very good in his last fight. For now, I need to focus on Dylan and what he brings to the table.
Status as Champion
Despite Shanks being unable to win the belt due to the weight miss, what would you have to say to people that claim you’re not the champion after losing that fight?
It’s a legit argument. It’s now upon me to show I deserve that belt rightfully.
I must ask, Almighty FC flyweight champion Shaj Haque has constantly been shouting your name and looking for that fight again? Have you taken notice, and I’m just wondering your overall thoughts on that?
Yeah, of course, the Shaj fight would be a fun one to do again. I haven’t really taken too much notice of the call-outs as I’m matched with Dylan and need to get through this before that even becomes a question. I’m sure were I to be defeated, then Shaj would be looking to fight Dylan as opposed to me anyway.
Expectations
What can fans expect to see from a well-rested Sam Creasey at Cage Warriors 141?
Who knows, haha. Most of the time, I’m not sure what I’m going to do in there until we’re in the midst of battle, but I assure you it’ll be exciting.
You meet the undefeated Italian Dylan Hazan on fight night. Why are you the man to shut down what nobody has been able to thus far and be the one loss on his record?
I believe I have the experience over him, and I will look to test some areas he hasn’t been placed in before, but I have no doubt he’s coming to take my belt home.
Having watched his previous fights under the Cage Warriors banner, what are your overall thoughts on his style?
He has a very strong wrestling base, heavy hands and is very fast, I’m a fan, and I look forward to seeing how I perform against his style.
Lastly, how does Sam Creasey vs. Dylan Hazan play out at CW 141?
A bloody end to a chaotic poem of violence.
Featured image credits to Cage Warriors
