SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT Mark Jeffers proved his domestic credentials last summer by outclassing Zak Chelli, a fight he took at just a fortnight’s notice. On January 20, meanwhile, the 25-year-old returns against Germaine Brown on the Natasha Jonas-Mikaela Mayer undercard in Liverpool.

Interview by Shaun Brown

BN: You’re defending your English super-middleweight title against Germaine Brown on January 20. You must be pleased to have something to work towards after six months out?

MJ: I was trying to get a fight for September time. Been on to (manager) Kev (Maree) to try and get me one but we were struggling. Then I got offered the European title [fight] against Kevin Sandjo on a week’s notice. I’m always in the gym. I accepted it. It was in Marseille, France and then they turned the fight down and picked an Argentinian (Abraham Buonarrigo); a bit of an easy touch. I think he lost two of his previous three, so I think they wanted an easy runout.

BN: I know you weren’t satisfied with your performance after beating Zak Chelli. What was it that made you unhappy?

MJ: I thought it was going to be an exciting fight. Watching it back, for me it was just about winning the fight. I wasn’t arsed about a knockout. Watching it back I thought Zak was so negative. He didn’t want to engage. Every time we did, he was getting countered. I thought it was more him on the back foot making it a worse fight than it could have potentially been. I was looking to make it an exciting fight.

BN: Chelli is still getting a shot at the British title on January 20 despite losing to you.

MJ: This is a funny one. Obviously, I train with Jack Cullen. So, this is what I’ve been told anyways: Zak Chelli was mandatory to box Mark Heffron, but Heffron pulled out and I stepped in. Even though he lost at English level he was still in line for it because he never boxed for it. How you can lose an English title fight and get a British title fight I don’t really know. Zak Chelli’s with Boxxer, though.

BN: I take it you would fancy Jack to do a bit of a number on him.

MJ: Yeah. If Jack listens to Mick and Dave (Jennings), it’s an easy night’s work. I don’t rate Zak Chelli really. This was why I was so keen to get the win. Kev rang me up two weeks before and said about the Zak Chelli fight and I said, “Take it.” This was about half 10 at night. I told him take that fight before someone else does.

BN: You’ve had the 16 fights so far. Are you satisfied with your progress and development?

MJ: It’s been a slow burner. I’ve been a pro since I was 18, so coming up to eight years. I’ve had a few injuries; had a shoulder operation and I’ve had two hand injuries. But I think everything’s falling into place now. I’ve matured inside the ring and outside the ring. Everything’s happened the way it has and I’m in a good position now.

BN: Why did you need a shoulder operation?

MJ: It was me 14th fight and I ruptured a tendon in my shoulder. It’s 100 per cent now again. All good.

BN: Would you say up until the Zak Chelli fight you had been avoided?

MJ: I’m not sure about avoided. I just don’t think I’ve ever had any opportunities really on the big stage. And I know I was about a 3/1 underdog with the bookies [against Chelli]. People round Chorley and the northwest know about me but as far as around Britain probably a lot of people don’t know about me, not seen me on the TV, etc. So, to a lot of people it was a shock but to a lot of people round here it wasn’t.

BN: If Jack vacates, do you want to go down the British route or the international route?

MJ: As you can probably tell, I’ll fight anyone. I just do what Mick and Dave say. If they offer me a fight, I take it without even having a look at the person. I believe I’m good enough to beat them all whether it’s a week’s notice or a full camp’s notice. I’m up for fighting whenever but they sort that out for me.

BN: What kind of impact have they had on your life?

MJ: Massive. Obviously, they’re my coaches but I’ve known them for years. You gain that friendship from them as well. They’re good mates as well as being a coach. Mick was my manager for my first 10 or 11 fights and then he passed me on to Kevin Maree, so that shows they’re not in it for the money. They want to see me fulfil my potential.

BN: What are your thoughts on the current British super-middleweight scene? Is it something you pay attention to?

MJ: Not particularly. I don’t really watch a lot of boxing. I watch my darts and footy.

BN: I’ve spoken to a few fighters who say similar. They treat boxing like a job and that’s it.

MJ: Yeah. Obviously, I love fighting, but you kinda get sick of it when you’re in the gym so often. The last thing you want to do when you come home is watch boxing. If there’s a massive fight… I love watching Canelo and a few others, but apart from that I’ve no real interest in it as weird as that seems. I’ve had a little lad recently, so a lot of my time is spent with him.

BN: What job did you have beforehand?

MJ: I used to work in a factory; it’s the family business; just sat on a machine for 12 hours a day. Then I started doing a bit of Personal Training. That was miles better for me. Everything was in the gym. Do a few PTs before my training; few PTs, back in at night. So, it wasn’t as many hours. It’s still physical work. Having the sponsors has made everything a lot easier.

BN: Do you think being full-time will help your performances in the ring?

MJ: Yeah, 100 per cent – and with my recovery. I was getting home at three or four in the afternoon, not eating properly, training, then work. Get this fight and everyone will be surprised at how much better I am than (in) the Chelli fight.

BN: Is there a plan for 2024 or is it the cliché of one fight at a time?

MJ: I never look past anyone. When I beat Germaine Brown, Kev had an idea: we go for the European.