Issac Hardman says Joel Camilleri will be robbed of his greatest asset in their IBC welterweight title fight, declaring: “We’re not boxing here, we’re brawling … and that’s what I’m f***ing good at.”
The statement comes as Hardman has also tipped UFC slugger Tai Tuivasa to become the sport’s new heavyweight king in 2027, and suggested purses for even undercard fighters will eventually balloon to a $20,000 minimum.
Camilleri, meanwhile, has also declared himself ready to switch between brawling and boxing should he win IBC gold on the Gold Coast tonight – with the world ranked middleweight turning around quickly to face undefeated prospect Mitch Leek in December.
IBC 05: Hardman v Camilleri | Wednesday September 23 from 7pm AEST | The World’s fastest growing combat sport returns with a showdown for the ages, as Isaac Hardman takes on veteran boxer Joel Camilleri in the Gold Coast. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Elsewhere, the boxer who squared off against Tim Tszyu in 2019 – and also later managed the family’s famed Rockdale gym – has given his prediction for a proposed showdown between ‘The Phoenix’ and WBA middleweight king Erislandy Lara.
After six years of bad blood, Hardman and Camilleri are finally set to square off in tonight’s IBC showcase on the Gold Coast, which will be shown live on Kayo Sports and Main Event Australia.
A longtime favourite of the domestic boxing scene, Hardman has spent the past year announcing himself as the new face of ‘brawling’ – and is already the reigning IBC middleweight champ.
And now tonight, the fighter dubbed ‘Headsplitter’ is looking to become a two-division champion when he throws down against Camilleri, who is currently world ranked in the WBA middleweight division.
“But we’re not boxing here, we’re brawling,” Hardman told Fox Sports Australia this week. “And that’s what I’m f***ing good at.
“Right now, he [Camilleri] is still ranked, and good luck to him.
“He’s also trying to call out Australian boxing’s biggest names, but nobody wants to fight him because he is such a tough fight.
“He’s awkward, has all that herky jerky movement, so credit where it’s due.
“But with our smaller cage, he can’t use his greatest asset which is his footwork.
“There’s nowhere to hide fighting here.”
Hardman did say, however, he would have to be wary of Camilleri’s power in the smaller IBC gloves.
“Because with the four ounce gloves, yeah, he could drop the sugar from the shelf,” the popular Queenslander grinned.
“In the boxing ring, he can’t.
“But with the four ounce gloves? Now this becomes a 50/50 fight. A flip of the coin.
“And that’s why it’s such an exciting one.
“This sport definitely isn’t boxing and our fight will prove that.”
READ MORE
‘GRABBED HIM BY THE THROAT’: Inside long-running Aussie boxing feud … and the $5k insult that sparked it
Speaking last week, IBC boss Daniel Mac unveiled a hitlist of fighters he wants to target for his new promotion — including Tuivasa, UFC lightweight Dan Hooker, and English MMA fighter Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
So as for who Hardman thinks will be joining the roster in 2027?
“I keep hearing Tuivasa,” he says of the heavyweight, who is on a tough run of losses in the UFC. “And if he is cut over there, brother, come across to the IBC.
“Because can you imagine Bam Bam in the IBC? F*** me dead, he’s your heavyweight champion.
“And I think, eventually, more and more guys like him will be making the switch earlier.
“Australian MMA guys who aren’t as proficient on the ground, who don’t want to f*** around with all the wrestling and grappling training … they’ll come across to brawling and get paid.
“Because this sport, it’s an undeniable beast.
“Eventually, every preliminary fighter is going to be on $20,000. And main eventers will be on $100,000.
“And given you’re fighting for only two minutes a round, that makes sense for fighters.“
Hardman then pointed to his bout with Camilleri as proof, continuing: “The IBC made this happen with one conversation. And that’s because everyone is getting paid what they want.”
Meanwhile, Camilleri also gave his take on a whispered showdown between Tszyu and Lara.
Currently, Camilleri is ranked No.11 among WBA middleweights, and has recently called for a fight against the likes of Nikita Tszyu, Michael Zerafa and Ben Mahoney.
Quizzed on how his former rival shapes up against the WBA champ, he replied: “Man, that’s a hard fight.
“And I know whenever somebody fights Lara now they say ‘oh, he’s 43 years old, that will be easy work’.
Fight of the year!? Hardman v Vaotuua | 13:32
“But there are levels in boxing, and Lara has a lot of them.
“I believe Tim can win the fight. But Erislandy Lara isn’t someone you bet against …”
Asked for a prediction, and Camilleri suggested a championship bout between the two would go to the scorecards.
“And it will one only be a round or two either way,” he said. “Honestly, I can’t pick it.
“But I will say I don’t see Tim stopping Lara.
“And while Lara has pop himself, if you were making me bet my house on any result it would be that this fight goes the distance.”
Speaking last week, IBC boss Mac suggested he was already in talks with several popular MMA fighters.
“I can confirm that I’m actively hunting Tai Tuivasa,” he said.
“And Dan Hooker, he’s another one. I’ve also reached out to the people who look after Michael ‘Venom’ Page. We’ve spoken to his team.
“So for us, the stars really are aligning.
“And a guy like Tai Tuivasa? He would be the ultimate ambassador.
“He’d be a poster boy for our sport.
“Everyone knows how much Tai loves to stand and bang. It’s what he’s built for.
“Hooker is the same.
“And right now, obviously, the UFC reigns supreme.
“But I also feel like we’ll also be up there too in the next four or five years.”