It's a shame that the article doesn't show the questions Matchroom asked, because 1.) ShootingRazbone is correct that Darren's statement is quite odd -- out of left field; and 2.) billbOK is probably correct as well -- Darren was just responding to an [unshown] Matchroom question.
Have you guys met Darren? He's a very small guy -- all of, maybe, 150 pounds, rough guess. I don't care what kind of boxing background Darren says he has; he's at least two, more likely three whole weight classes down from Dennis. Being gracious by "assuming" their past boxing experience is the same (and I'm being really gracious here for Darren), Darren wants no piece of Dennis. I'm in the same weight class as Darren, and I've 8 years of Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido in my background (made 2nd dan, in fact; for those that know what that means). But I would never even consider -- not even a fleeting moment -- to square-off against the likes of Dennis. I don't think Darren's that crazy. And I don't think folks actually think that Dennis is "hair trigger" ready-to-fight, either. Emotional, yes. The man wears his heart and his emotions on his sleeve. But fisticuffs-ready? No. The Europeans are trying to brand Dennis as "the Earl replacement." Nice try, fellas, but the fabricated rep ain't gonna stick. You'll see.
I'm also confused about this "confrontation with Niels" thing mentioned in a previous post? The only thing I recall (granted, I wasn't there -- I only watched via the live Matchroom stream) was Dennis' "back in your face" against Alex Lely (Europe's captain). It was that "one plus one" thing, for those that remember. The only "confrontation" Dennis had with Niels was Dennis' whitewash of Niels at the table. No words were spoken, or confrontational gestures were made, that I can recall. Just the post-match handshake. Did I miss something?
-Sean
