Idris Virgo is fully focused on his upcoming fight with Aaron Chalmers but names Floyd Mayweather and Canelo as the two boxers he would like to face next… before comparing himself to Muhammad Ali.
The 30-year-old will take on Geordie Shore star, Chalmers, in Newcastle this weekend in the latest instalment of the Misfits & DAZN: X Series.
Unlike Chalmers, Virgo has a wealth of experience in the professional side of the sport – boasting a 12-0-1 record. However, the Love Island star has turned to Misfits boxing to focus on enhancing his name in the crossover world.
Virgo sat down with Mail Sport reporter Oli Gamp to discuss his upcoming fight with Aaron Chalmers before revealing his plans to fight Floyd Mayweather and Canelo next.
Love Island star Idris Virgo will face Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers this weekend
What fighter would you like to be known as?
Bit flashy, bit cocky, like a younger and more handsome version of Muhammad Ali.
I’ve got the gift like Ali, I got the footwork like Ali and I got the jab like Ali. Sting like a bee. Fans will expect that kind of style and flashiness on October 23.
How would you have fared against Floyd Mayweather?
I believe I would gas Floyd. I’m younger and I’m sharper, I’ve got more to offer.
If that was me in the ring against Floyd, I would have knocked him out. 100 per cent. He would lose to me.
If Floyd had the confidence to fight a younger, fresher guy like myself, he would lose. I would become the first person to knock him out if he ever accepts my challenge.
Is there real animosity between you and Aaron?
The animosity has grown now. Me calling him a drunken guy, Sleepy Aaron.
It’s getting to him now because he wants to get in there with me who’s calling me all these names. It’s been blowing up and this fight has got to happen. He’s gonna face his fears and get knocked out.
I do believe there is a big step between us. In his second pro fight he had he got knocked down and had a standing eight count and I’m going to show where he’s at in the boxing industry.
I’ve seen everything, I’ve sparred with loads of people, I’ve fought 13 times and I’m a different kettle of fish. My experience will help me in this fight and he doesn’t have the experience to cope with what I’m going to bring to him.
How has Love Island raised your profile?
Love Island was the best experience of my life. I learned how to not get too heated when someone’s stepping on my toes.
It changed my career and I’ve got to give props to the show. It taught me that it doesn’t matter who you are – be silly and be confident in what you’re doing. You’re the only person who can judge you. It gave me a big confidence boost.
Tommy Fury is only in the position he is because he copied what I did by going on Love Island and then carrying on his boxing career. He’s got a better hand on it because he was on Love Island longer than me, fair play. After this fight, my plan is to fight big influencers and getting myself out there. I’m taking over.
How did you get into boxing?
I used to work on a railway. I always thought I didn’t want to work there and wanted to do boxing full time.
It was hard doing night shifts, shovelling, picking up rail, being in charge of the lads – I think that’s where I got most of my strength from.
Then next day in the afternoon doing my boxing training, then going back on the night shift.
It was a crazy experience because you’re trying to be on a diet and you couldn’t really because you need your energy for the night shift. It was really hard for me to cut weight.
I do believe working on a railway gave me that discipline because I knew what I wanted and I didn’t want to let it go.
Who are you targeting next?
Tommy Fury I’m not really interested in him any more because I think KSI is going to knock him out on October 14 and I think Tommy is not going to be interested in boxing anymore. I think he’s going to be into acting, whatever he wants to do.
After I beat Sleepy Aaron I want that Floyd Mayweather fight. I want that Logan Paul fight. I don’t mind that Jake Paul fight if that happens. Any time of influencer, I’m there for it, let’s go.
The only guy who I would like to start doing it with the pros are Billy Saunders because I sparred him and done well. And Canelo. I wouldn’t mind fighting him.
I believe me and him have a similar style. I’m more flashy and I got more to me but I believe we are similar. if he ever wanted to fight an influencer, he should give me a call.
Virgo says he has no interest in fighting Tommy Fury, instead he wants Floyd Mayweather