When George Kambosos wanted someone to mimic the greatest lightweight fighter on the planet, he called in a ballroom dancer from Perth.
A fella who, on occasion, also models boardshorts, budgie smugglers, even Everlast boxing apparel.
That, and saunters down runways in suits.
Just as on this Friday night’s final No Limit card of 2023, Jackson England will again be looking to put on a show – only this time by causing the biggest upset in Australian boxing this year.
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A third generation fighter who has also danced his entire life, 26-year-old England faces Aussie super featherweight contender Liam Wilson at The Star, Sydney.
The pair’s all-Australian showdown will precede the headliner between Aussie super bantamweight star Sam Goodman and undefeated Chinese prospect Zhong Liu.
Flying in from Perth on Sunday, England has chosen to finish his preparations at the gym owned by close mate and IBO world lightweight champ Kambosos.
While some have questioned if England is capable of going with Wilson – a fighter ranked No.2 in the world and robbed of a title against Mexican star Emanuel Navarrete as recently as February – the man himself is ready, as always, to show out.
Which is how it’s been ever since this son of a fighting concreter, and grandson of an Aussie tent boxer, grew up performing urban dance, salsa, even ballroom.
“Biggest crowd I’ve danced before for would be 5000,” grins England, whose other great talent is being able to mimic some of the best fighters on the planet.
A gift which goes a long way to explaining why, over the past two years, Kambosos has extensively used him to prepare for both his second Devin Haney fight and then win over Maxi Hughes.
And with ‘Ferocious’ now in talks for a 2024 blockbuster against Vasiliy Lomachenko, England is already watching tape of the superstar Ukranian southpaw.
That, and refining a gameplan which, he insists, can upset Wilson.
Asked about causing what would sit among the boxing boilovers in Australia this year, England told Fox Sports Australia: “Look, there’s no bad blood between myself and Liam.
“Just as I’ve got nothing but respect for what he’s already done, including his performance earlier this year against Navarrete.
“But it’s my time now.
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“And while Liam is obviously a great operator, I do see a fair few holes in his game.
“I feel my movement, my speed, my explosiveness, it will all be big factors on the night.”
Which has always been the case for this fella who, initially from western Sydney, spent his childhood mimicking the dance moves of Michael Jackson.
A boxer who during the Covid pandemic, when finding fights was tough, also took up a part-time modelling career which continues now when “it doesn’t clash with training”.
But more than anything else, England is a fighter.
A father of two boys who plans to, first, upset Wilson, then turn around on the Kambosos undercard in 2024.
Asked why, initially, he had been sought out by one of Australia’s greatest fighters for sparring, England says: “Probably the way I imitate fighters, I’ve been good at that for a long time.
“For Haney, they wanted an orthodox fighter. But then in sparring for Maxi Hughes, I stayed southpaw the entire time.
“And having that ability to switch back and forth, to mimic these guys, I think that’s a big factor.
“Then there’s my speed, my explosiveness and movement, that all helps too.
“It was shortly after my loss to Paul Fleming (in 2022) that George’s dad phoned me.
“And, at first, going over there to spar, I was starstruck.
“But over time George and I have developed a friendship and whenever he needs me, I’m there.
“Where George has been, what he’s done, his knowledge, his ability – the guy is a world class fighter – so to share the ring with him has been incredible.
“While I’m there to help him, he’s really been helping me as well.
“There are levels in this sport and you see those levels when you spar with George Kambosos”.
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So as for mimicking Loma?
“It’s definitely hard because he’s got phenomenal feet, phenomenal movement and also a really awkward timing,” the West Australian continued.
“He’s naturally orthodox but fights as a southpaw.
“So the way he moves, makes people miss, the angles he takes, the timing, rhythm … at some points you will see where he double steps, or triple steps and doesn’t have to.
“But that’s what makes it so difficult to pick up his timing.
“He does these things that are so unnatural at times.
“But George, he has really good eyes, great timing and phenomenal hand speed.
“When George boxes his fight, he gives Lomachenko trouble.”
And as for his own fight against Wilson?
“I’m more than worthy and nothing but ready,” England says.
“I want to be where Liam Wilson is, and further.
“As I said before, there’s no bad blood and no disrespect between us.
“But I want to fight for a world title, and the only way there is to climb through the top guys.”