McDermott to Battle Robbins in Tennessee with Potential Miller Rematch to Follow!

Many expected Jersey City native Danny McDermott's March 25 clash with Brian Miller to be his coming out party.

Local fans and media had taken an interest in the bout leading up to fight night. A raucous crowd was on hand to support him. The vacant World Boxing Foundation All Americas title was up for grabs, providing McDermott an opportunity to leave North Bergen’s Schuetzen Park with a minor championship belt.

The popular lightweight had an opponent in front of him who at 7-0-3, was unbeaten but yet unproven. The Schenectady, NY native had just one victory over a fighter with a winning record and fought a toe to toe style, which is McDermott’s bread and butter. Having previously battled to draws in his opponents’ hometown, Miller’s toughness was without question, but this was supposed to be McDermott’s time to shine.

Things didn’t go as planned.

McDermott’s troubles started twenty four hours prior to fight night during the weigh in, initially coming in over the contracted limit before scaling in at 135 lbs on his second try. Members of his team attributed his weight struggles to the fact that he was seemingly working double duty since his wife Anette recently gave birth to their first child. With the responsibilities of caring for a newborn baby during the most crucial part of training camp, many would have withdrawn from the fight altogether. McDermott never consider that an option.

“Not once did I think about pulling out.” “To me it was a responsibility. (Regardless of what kind of shape I am in) I had to go in and fight. As a fighter you fight, as a father, you have to provide for your family whether you are tired or not.”

McDermott’s choice turned out to be bitter sweet.

He fought his heart out, but was in the squared circle with a better conditioned opponent. In a bout that epitomized the term “phone booth battle”, McDermott had spurts of success before fatigue prevented him from effectively neutralizing his volume punching opponent down the stretch. Miller ultimately earned a split decision in one of the Garden State's most entertaining club fights in recent memory.

McDermott was clearly dejected by the defeat and even refused a post fight interview to this writer immediately following the bout’s completion. His night it wasn’t.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it stung a bit”, said McDermott, who fell to 8-2-1 (3 KO’s) following the defeat. “It’s boxing you have your good nights and your bad nights. Miller outhustled me for sure that night and I tip my hat off to him. I can admit that.”

With more than three months in the history books and an ample amount of time to recover, John Lynch of Pound 4 Pound Promotions worked out a deal for McDermott to return against hardcore veteran Marty Robbins this Saturday at the State Fairgrounds Sports Arena in Nashville, TN. Robbins has an unimpressive 23-46-1 record, but has swapped punches with world champions, title contenders and unbeaten prospects. The Tennessee native is a prototypical stepping stone opponent and can take a decent punch, making it to the final bell in 33 of his defeats.

Being the victor in the four round “keep busy” fight is expected but not guaranteed. He will enter the ring as the favorite, but also runs the risk of dropping a decision in his opponent’s hometown. McDermott has no logistical concerns.

“I am not worried whatsoever (about fighting in his hometown).” “The fight is to keep me busy to be honest with you. I plan on having more of these types of fights around different parts of the country. All the greats have done this. I’m just taking a page from them.”

If everything goes as planned against Robbins, all signs point to a rematch with Miler as part of the August 21 Tomasz Adamek-Michael Grant headlined card at the Prudential Center in Newark. Upwards of 10,000 screaming fans flooded the very same arena to see Adamek defeat Jason Estrada in February. Each of the four times Adamek headlined in Newark, the attendance rapidly increased. With the potential of 12-15,000 fans in the arena, McDermott’s acknowledges there is no better time or place to seek revenge.

“I’d love to be on a big card like that, especially against Miller.” “I think the Prudential Center crowd would love a fight like that. What’s better than two guys who put everything on the line and go toe to toe for the love of the sport? I only can hope it happens.”

If the rematch - which according to reports, Miller initially rebuffed if it were to take place on McDermott’s turf - does happen, the latter recognizes he must come far better prepared than the first time around. His level of concentration would undoubtedly have to change and McDermott acknowledges that preparing for the rematch farther away from home would be a major x factor.

“The thing I would do differently is go away to training camp (to) get away from (the) distractions and get enough sleep every night. (This would enable me to) come in (tip top) shape; then you will see the difference.”

If Miller does in fact agree to a rematch and McDermott’s plan to prepare in a location far away from the many distractions in the New York metropolitan comes to fruition, the night of August 21 could very well be stolen by two lightweights that already displayed the willingness to duke it out as if there were no tomorrow.