Ben Rothwell can breathe simple heading into his return to bareknuckle boxing.
Preventing in Denver could also be worrisome to many, given it’s over 5,000 ft above sea degree, however not for Rothwell. Forward of his BKFC 41 bout towards Josh Copeland, the previous UFC heavyweight contender took his coaching camp to Group Elevation in Denver to verify he’s acclimated to the altitude.
This has introduced Rothwell a brand new degree of confidence, as he guarantees cardio gained’t be a difficulty this Saturday.
“The coaching companions that I had, to my nice shock, have been actually stunned with how good my cardio was, and I had guys rotating in on me,” Rothwell instructed MMA Junkie Radio. “I went to a gymnasium, they usually put me within the center and had three guys are available on me, and I dealt with it very nicely. They have been like, ‘Wow, you probably did actually good.’ I did really feel it and I didn’t do as a lot as I usually did, so I knew that I used to be like not doing my finest. So I used to be simply sort of like, ‘Cool, I’m glad you guys suppose so,’ however because the weeks went on, that each one modified and I actually bought into my groove.
“I can just about go till everybody was performed. I’m feeling actually good.”
Rothwell was initially scheduled to combat Josh Watson, who got here to fame after knocking out ex-NFL star and UFC veteran Greg Hardy earlier this yr.
Rothwell doesn’t thoughts the opponent change and sees Copeland, though a short-notice substitute, as a formidable foe.
“The day earlier than the press convention, he despatched a message, ‘I by no means agreed to combat in Denver,’” Rothwell mentioned relating to the opponent change. “I don’t suppose he made the promotion very completely happy. What sort of excuse is that? He sort of blamed the promotion. It’s foolish. It sort of leads me to imagine that he didn’t actually need to take the combat to be trustworthy. I don’t care. He has to dwell with it. I’m right here to combat.”
