Q & A with Shane Mcphilbin

Shane Mcphilbin is a 28 year old boxer hailing from Bulwell in Nottingham, fighting in the cruiserweight and heavyweight division on the British scene. Shane first came to the public eye when boxing on Prizefighter – The heavyweights and in only his 4th fight as a professional managed to upset 7-0 Declan Timlin in the quarter finals. A semi-final encounter against Michael Sprott was up next but Mcphilbin lost all 3 rounds to the much more experienced Sprott.

4 straight wins followed which led to a fight against Leon Williams (9-3) for the BBBofC Cruiserweight title. Mcphilbin was down in the 1st and 6th round and was well behind on points when he managed to drop Williams twice in the 12th and claim another shock win and claim the BBBofC Cruiserweight title.

Mcphilbin’s first defence was against former World champion Enzo Maccarinelli. Mcphilbin had Maccarinelli down in the 1st round and the bell was controversially rung 47 seconds early which Enzo in a World of trouble. Mcphilbin would have Enzo down again in the 3rd before touching the canvas himself in the 12th and lost a points decision.

After Maccarinelli vacated the belt, Mcphilbin then fought Jon Lewis Dickinson (11-2) for the vacant title and Mcphilbin was outclassed on the win to a 12 round decision loss. Two losses against up and comers then somehow led to Mcphilbin appearing on Prizefighter again, only this time in his preferred Cruiserweight division. Mcphilbin lost in the opening stages to Nathan Owen. Mcphilbin’s most recent fight was against Hughie Fury on channel five and after a battling first round Mcphilbin had to withdraw with a shoulder injury.
Mcphilbin is now lined up to fight Paul Butlin for the vacant BBBofC Midlands area heavyweight title and the two have been exchanging strong words on Twitter which I can assure you is a lot more heated than Groves and Froch.
Shane is a close personal friend of mine as well as my trainer and he currently trains an un-licensed semi-professional boxing group that went 2013 unbeaten.

Any questions for “Mr Block”?

Do you think the prizefighter format is good for boxing? On one hand it is an exciting/entertaining format. On the other hand, we don't get to see the fighters at their best... too much desparate swinging. The winner's not always the better boxer.

Is there a serious issue with bad refereeing in boxing? Obviously your own fight with Enzo Maccarinelli. Also controversial stoppages such as Froch/Groves, Matthysse/Harris, Chisora/Scott. What can be done to improve the situation?

Thanks for the input,

If we could get a few more that shouldn't be too disheartening!

Do you think either of the Fury's, Chisora or price will be able to compete with Joshua in the next few years? Or will he be head and shoulders above?