Rotherham’s Junaid Boston calls himself a “performer” ahead of US debut and says, “I want to put on a show”

Super-welterweight prospect Junaid Bostan has at all times wished to stand out from the gang – and on Saturday (December 16) he will get a chance to do exactly that as half of the Jesse Rodriguez-Sunny Edwards present in Glendale, Arizona.

In this interview with Boxing News, Bostan speaks about his Stateside debut, the council property during which he grew up, his faculty years, and his ideas on the present scene at 154lbs.

Interview by Shaun Brown

BN: When you turned skilled, how did you envisage the early days of your profession? Did you consider you’ll have signed with a massive promoter and be combating in America so quickly?

JB: If I’m sincere it was a bit mad. I’ve at all times had a confidence I used to be going to get to the highest. And I at all times knew that I wished to stand out from the remainder, and I wished to do massive issues early. But earlier than my boxing profession even began, earlier than I had my first struggle, I used to be signed to Frank Warren, then I obtained out of contract with Frank. I then obtained instructed I’m going to struggle on a small corridor present. I felt a bit underwhelmed. But I bought a lot of tickets, and I used to be headlining in my hometown in entrance of my very own individuals, and it was my night time and no person else’s. I carried out the way in which I did, I went viral, obtained consideration off managers, [and] obtained the eye off promoters. I wouldn’t change my first struggle for the world. I’d then struggle on Dalton Smith’s undercard with [Sam] O’Maison understanding full properly I want to carry out. I bought a lot of tickets and obtained the eye of Eddie [Hearn], signed with Matchroom, and since then it’s been a whirlwind. If I’m being sincere, I didn’t suppose it could come this fast, the American debut and that stuff. But what I’ll say is I’m not stunned. I’ve put the work in, I’ve been performing the way in which I’ve been performing, so it’s solely proper.

BN: You talked about wanting to do one thing to “stand out from the rest”. Have you at all times been like that by means of your entire life?

JB: From a very younger age I’ve at all times appreciated to carry out and stand out from the remainder. Whether it was good or dangerous I at all times wished to be the person within the room and present individuals how completely different I’m. By doing that I simply had to be myself. I simply want to be real, and I really feel like that’s obtained me a good distance and I believe individuals can see that. When individuals faux to be one thing they’re not, individuals can see by means of it. With me, I’m simply being myself, and that’s obtained me very far.

BN: How did you get on at college?

JB: How do I put it? I knew it was short-term. I weren’t essentially disrespectful, however I used to be a little shit. I obtained away with homicide purely as a result of academics appreciated me. I had a good coronary heart. Nine occasions out of 10 the college report would say, “Junaid’s a good student, got potential to go far, but he’s easily distracted.” I left faculty with respectable GCSEs, handed all my exams however by no means revised. If something, I used to be getting ready for the upcoming championships. School taken care of me, they knew I had potential in my boxing profession, and they backed me. I’m from an space the place not a lot expertise’s coming by means of. But with me, they backed me all the way in which. They let me go away to tournaments. But with faculty I used to be troublesome. But I didn’t imply it.

BN: What was it like rising up in Eastwood (Rotherham)?

JB: Rotherham’s obtained a stigma. Where I grew up, it’s a correct council property. It’s full of completely different ethnicities, culturally various, and clearly with a council property, it will get its personal issues. People haven’t obtained it straightforward. I used to be lucky not to be in that place. Loads of youngsters are surviving off the naked minimal. I wouldn’t say it’s an space the place it’s worse than something, but it surely’s obtained its fair proportion of issues, and a lot goes off. But on the similar time, it’s introduced me up and made me who I’m. It was a good space to be introduced up in. It has obtained its personal stigma, however I wouldn’t change it for the world. Loads of stuff occurred but it surely was regular. I’ll at all times keep in mind my roots and I want to characterize it one of the best ways I can. If something, I want to present the youthful lads that you are able to do one thing with your self. It’s not all boring and stepping into hassle. There is one thing you are able to do with your self should you put your thoughts to it.

BN: Are you glad with the performances you’ve proven in your seven fights to date?

JB: Definitely. I’ve had seven fights; six stoppages. I’ve fought Area champions and I’ve fought undefeated lads. I’ve fought a completely different vary of types. If I’m being actual, the one struggle the place an opponent hasn’t come to me was my first struggle. The relaxation have come to win and pondering they’re going to win for probably the most half. I do like how my profession’s gone to date however I’m extra enthusiastic about what’s to come. I don’t actually pay a lot consideration to what’s taking place. I listen to what’s ahead.

BN: So, the place would you anticipate your profession to be this time subsequent 12 months?

JB: This time subsequent 12 months on the prime domestically. I’ll be calling for titles. It will likely be my breakthrough 12 months. Going from a boy to a man. It’s simply a matter of time earlier than I carry it to fruition. That’s my intention.

BN: The British scene at 154lbs is a vigorous one. Do you listen to it?

JB: I focus on myself, however you’ve obtained to hold a watch on others. At the tip of the day the one particular person that may beat me is myself. As lengthy as I develop into one of the best model of myself no person’s obtained a prayer. It’s simply a matter of time. The second I am going from a 10 to a 12-round fighter, and develop my man power, every little thing else will come alongside. Boxing ability-wise I’m higher than the lot of them. It’s a matter of exhibiting it and being ready. When the time does come, and you’ve obtained to again up the phrases, I try this with flying colors.

BN: Do you anticipate to transfer up to middleweight sooner or later?

JB: Right now, I’m light-middle, super-welter, whichever you want to name it. I make the load straightforward. I’m younger, I’ve obtained the physique and the body to transfer up in weight, however for proper now, sadly for these guys at 154lbs I’m staying right here so long as I can. If something, I’m rising into the load. God prepared, I win titles by means of the weights up to super-middle. I’m solely 21. I’ve obtained a good 10-12 years within the sport, so who is aware of. For now my consideration is on the light-middleweight division.

BN: I’d think about that your American debut towards Gordie Russ II gained’t simply be about getting a win. I get the impression you’ll want to make a assertion and put on a present.

JB: I want to put on a present; I’m a performer. It’s sport but it surely’s the leisure enterprise. The fundamental precedence is getting a win however a shut second to that’s performing and doing a quantity on him. Each and each time I want to try this. But I undoubtedly want to try this on this one significantly. The lad’s a bit of a gobshite. He’s been giving it massive on social media for a lengthy, very long time. I’m one of them that can name your bluff. We had been struggling to get opponents for this American debut. I mentioned sure to each opponent given to me; all of them fell by means of. He [Russ] then known as me out after not doing it for months. He did it once more. I screenshotted it; I despatched it to my supervisor; I despatched it to Matchroom. I went, “See if this fight can be made.” They made the struggle occur and I used to be ecstatic. The second the struggle obtained made he’s gone all quiet. If something, I’m fairly nervous that he’s having second ideas and doubts. I hope he reveals up. He’s the perfect dancing accomplice for my American debut. He’s obtained a loud mouth and, if something, he’s going to make it extra of a present. So, it’s going to make me look spectacular. From my understanding he’s Sugar Hill’s [Steward] nephew. (BN: Russ and Hill are cousins and Hill additionally trains him). I pray to God Sugar Hill is in his nook and he’s sporting the well-known Kronk shorts as a result of once I batter him it’s going to make me look even higher.