Yesterday, it was announced that Odel Kamara has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
The talented prospect is just 22 and is being advised by Sam Jones. Here, he talks about his decision to turn pro, his home city of Liverpool, looking up to Roy Jones and being open to working with Nike.
What was the biggest decision you had to make whether to stay for the Olympics?
When it came to that decision, I was thinking more tactically than anything. Obviously, I would have been 24, 25 by the time I actually turned over after the Olympics. And I just felt like everyone would have a head start on me in terms of the pro style and how it’s all planned out and all stuff like that.
And I was thinking, why am I going to go to the Olympics? I believed I could get an Olympic gold medal and then get pushed at a million miles an hour for a world title fight or I’m four fights in, five fights in. It didn’t really make sense to me.
So I thought to play it safe and make sure to perfect my craft.
When top prospects come through, they are often matched with southpaws, orthodox guys, runners, guys who like to come and have a tear up. In your first sort of, let’s say, 10-15 fights, you just want to get as much experience you can against all styles and shapes and sizes?
Literally that, yeah. I want all the experience I can get. I’ve had a lot of experience in the amateurs. I haven’t fought anybody who’s not been in the top 10 in the past, like, three years. So I know the amateurs is basically a different sport altogether to the pros, but once you’re fighting people like that who do have pro fights as well, because you’re allowed to do that in other countries, I think you’re going to be prepared no matter what.
Who are some of the better pros that you’ve sparred?
Yeah, [Chris] Eubank, “Beefy” [Liam Smith], I’ve sparred [Anthony] Fowler, JJ Metcalf, Sam Maxwell. The list goes on. There’s a good few. Jermaine Ortiz. I’ve sparred him. He was a good one.
So, when you said about the differences, there are differences between pros and amateurs. Do you feel like there’s anything that you’re going to have to get your head around?
No, I don’t think so. I think it’s just going to be repetition with me. I’m a quick study. So, I think once somebody is just drilling nonstop the fundamentals, I’ll pick it up and I’ll be like a duck to water.
This hype train’s coming hard and fast, right? Yeah. Is there pressure with that? Or is it just fun?
Nah, I’m used to the pressure. It’s a lot of fun for me because obviously the Worlds [Championships] was in Liverpool and I showed up for that.
And I always have, I feel like I thrive under the pressure more than anything.
Who’s the best Liverpool fighter of all time so far?
That’s a big question. Tempted to just go with John Conteh. You’ve got to, haven’t you? But I think I’d have to also say either Bellew or Callum Smith.
I know you’re a big fan of Roy Jones, right?
Yeah, big fan.
Have you ever spoken to him?
I have. I saw him at the [Daniel Dubois-[Oleksandr] Usyk fight [in July 2025]. He shook me hand and stuff. We had a little conversation, but I’d love to meet him properly one day and actually get down to things and have a proper conversation.
When I mention the hype train, a lot of it comes from the talk about your talent. Are you naturally-talented?
You know what? I would say I’m talented, but I can’t say that the talent didn’t come from hard work as well, because I’ve been training since I was three. So it’s kind of hard to tell with me because it’s just been non-stop. I think it is hard to say it’s talent when it’s all I’ve ever known. Like, if somebody’s been swimming since the age of three, they never lose it. They become a good swimmer if that’s all they do.
What was the reason for you leaving kickboxing behind and going just to boxing?
Money. The money. Boxing’s one of the highest paid sports in the world.
When Mayweather was about, it was the highest paid sport in the world. So I think that’s what stuck out to me. I want to be able to support my family for life.
And just going on to the, by the way, just going back to the Olympic thing, do you feel like you were nailed on for gold or it’s not worth the risk of a bad decision and the things that could happen, an injury or whatever it is?
I always have believed in myself 100 per cent, if you get me. I did believe I was going to get that gold medal, but at the same time, there are a lot of other factors that come into play. We both know the Olympics is known for corruption. I go to a competition to win.
I never want to be second best. So I didn’t want to give anybody that opportunity at the same time.
If the Olympics was back in the UK, would it have been different?
I think my mind would be made up, to be honest. I think I’m knuckled down on these pros and this is all I want to do. It’s what I’ve been bred for.
It’s what I live for. I’m ready now.
In the new promo video, Eddie Hearn mentions your looks. Have you done some modelling yet?
Not yet. Little bits as an amateur, but not I’m big yet, you know what I mean?
Are you in the market for that or are you tunnel vision on?
I suppose it depends on what’s presented to you. Yeah, it depends, innit? At the end of the day, I’m a prizefighter, but nobody’s turning down money, so if Nike come in and say ‘do this shoe for us,’ I’m there.
