The side of his career that is guided outside of the ropes is handled by Manager and Promoter Steve Goodwin, a man who is building a solid reputation for plotting fighters successes at a multitude of levels in British boxing. It is a relationship that is blossoming for both sides. Goodwin enthuses about how far he believes Iqbal can go in the sport, while Iqbal speaks highly of the guidance that he has received.
“Steve Goodwin is a top Manager and top Promoter. Usually Promoters don’t give you everything, don’t tell you and of the ins and outs of a contract, but Steve tells me. He tells me this is the fight, these are the rounds, this is the purse, do you want it? If so great, and if not then we look elsewhere. He doesn’t put pressure on you, doesn’t say that he won’t work with you if don’t take a certain fight right now. He has a lot of fighters but he treats them all the same, gives them opportunities. If you want to fight, he’ll get you fights. My second fight under him and I’m English champion, I can’t thank him enough.”
There have been talks within the Iqbal team about what the next 12 months hold. Iqbal says he hopes to defend the English title a couple of times, but were a shot at the British title to present itself in early 2018 then he would jump at the chance to contest for it. Again, is that a fight that would be suitable for an Okolie or Chamberlain? “I’d love to fight Tony Bellew. But I’m not in that position to call for a fight with Tony Bellew, because he’s been in wars and he’s a great fighter. I can’t call him out because I haven’t achieved anything like that, but there are people who are calling me out that haven’t achieved anything at all.”
I query if the higher number of rounds at British level hold any concern to Iqbal. In typically honest fashion he clears up any doubts about his stamina that others may have. “I’ve got the fitness for 12 rounds, I do it four times a week in training. Of course people will get tired in the ring, it’s a boxing ring! We’re not welterweights, we’re big heavy cruiserweights. Look at Joshua in that third round against Klitschko, he was blowing. But you find something in you. You don’t go back to your corner and get out of the ring because you’re tired. The thing about me too is that it could be four rounds or ten rounds, doesn’t matter, because even if I am tired then I can still land that shot. If anyone says you won’t get tired you’re talking shit. You’re throwing bombs to the head and that’s what it’s about.”
Despite the obvious power that Iqbal carries, displayed so violently to end the Camacho fight, he sees his size as being his biggest advantage once the bell goes. “People think I’m small so I can be picked off. But I’m not easy to hit, and when people with longer arms make mistakes then I can come inside and when I do I do it with power. Clifton always says there’s a difference between trying to knock someone out and trying to break their face. I’m trying to break their face.”
Iqbal is a frightening proposition for any cruiserweight domestically. Make no mistake, when he steps through the ropes he is a bad, bad man. Outside of it, he is jovial and amusing, honest and funny. But you sense he has a focus that many may lack in the sport. His honesty is refreshing and he recognises the sport for what it is; a business. It is a business that could take him far in life and one that, should the opportunities present themselves, he could make a big name for himself in. Whether those opportunities come against an Okolie or a Chamberlain remain to be seen. What is clear though, the pool of potential opponents for Arfan Iqbal will get shallower with every knockout win. Iqbal knows that side of the business with be handled by Steve Goodwin, while his side will be handled by those small, dangerous gloves.
Arfan wished to thank his sponsors Protein House in Derby who provide all the meals and protein shakes needed for training camps.