Until his split decision loss to Ionut Baluta 16 months ago, bantamweight Andrew Cain was rated as arguably the most exciting, under the radar talent in British boxing. The hand he damaged during that fight is now fully healed and Cain, from Liverpool, is hellbent on showing that he still deserves the menacing reputation he was developing.
Cain, 11-1 (10 KOs), had begun to gather real momentum before things went wrong against Baluta but the 27-year-old southpaw knows that he can make up a chunk of the time he spent on the sidelines by ripping the British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles away from Ashley Lane in Birmingham this weekend (July 20).
Cain told Blighty Boxing that he damaged his hand before the fight with Baluta but – unwilling to let a showcase slot on TNT Sport pass him by – he kept the injury secret and set out with the ambitious intention of getting the tough Romanian out as quickly as possible.
The gamble almost paid off. Cain hurt Baluta badly in the opening round and floored him twice. Unfortunately, Baluta getting back up wasn’t part of the plan and instead of racking up the quick, eye-catching knockout he’d hoped for, Cain became embroiled in a ferocious 10-round war that ended up costing him both his unbeaten record and more than a year of his career.
Unsurprisingly, the injury worsened during the fight and a surgeon needed to use bone from his hip to repair the badly damaged hand. Having already endured one protracted lay-off earlier in his career, Cain made up his mind that he would do everything in his power to ensure that as soon as he was able to get back in the ring, he would be ready for any and every opportunity that came his way.
Cain made his name at super bantamweight but he and his trainer, Paul Stevenson, have always considered 118lbs to be his true weight and so, in April, he returned to action as a bantamweight and knocked out the decent Darwing Martinez in four rounds. His reward for his dedication was a shot at British and Commonwealth champion, Lane.
“I knew when I spoke to the surgeon that it was going to be a long one,” Cain said. “It takes a while to recover from and a while for the bone to fuse together. It was frustrating but I kept my head on it and stayed in the gym. I’m proud of myself for doing so because a lot of people would have gone astray there and gone out drinking and partying. I didn’t do none of that.
“I kept my head on it and I don’t know whether it’s God or the universe but look what’s happened now. I’ve ended up at the right weight and ended up with this opportunity. Everything’s on the up and I’m on the rise and I’m looking forward to it continuing.”
In March, Lane, 18-10-2 (3 KOs), shocked Chris Bourke to become the British and Commonwealth champion. The 33-year-old has been fighting professionally for 13 years and finally getting his hands on the British title brought a long, respectable career to an unexpected peak. After the fight, Lane spoke about his journey from homelessness and the hope that his triumph could act as an inspiration to youngsters.
Cain can be a ruthless, vicious fighter and sentiment will be put firmly to one side on Saturday night. He wants to let his fellow bantamweights know that he means business and is intent on making a statement against Lane.
“I have’t watched much of him to be fair. I watched his interview [after the fight] and I know he’s got a good story and a good background that he’s coming from but I don’t believe he’s on my level,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a fight and anything can happen so I’m going to be switched on and I won’t be underestimating him but I believe I’m levels above in every aspect of the boxing game. I’m looking forward to it. I want to put another devastating performance in and really solidify my career and get myself on the right path again.
“He’s game but they all are at this level. You’ve got to be otherwise you don’t make it here. He’s done something right hasn’t he? They don’t give them belts away so he’s got them for a reason.”
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