Jacob Wall has promised to deliver in a big way ahead of his flyweight title fight at Golden Ticket Fight Promotions 23.
GTFP 23 takes place next Saturday, September 2nd, at the K.K Steelmill in Wolverhampton. The English promotion have put together a stacked card from top to bottom, with professionals and prospects all set to make the walk.
Ahead of his flyweight title fight with Joe Frogham, we had the chance to catchup with Jacob Wall. Hear his full thoughts below.
Interview With Jacob Wall
Jacob, you’re several weeks out from returning to the Octagon. Talk us through your camp ahead of this one and the difference between preparing for an individual opponent and style instead of preparing to compete in a tournament as you did last time.
I’m looking forward to returning to the Octagon in a few weeks; this camp has been great. I had plenty of time to prepare as I knew I had been fighting on Golden Ticket since before the Four Nations. There was a little bump in the road about five weeks out due to my original opponent, William Morck, having to pull out, but luckily, we had a new opponent, Joe Frogham, step up. With regards to preparing for one specific opponent, it’s much easier as I can really study and work out what they are good and bad at, whereas preparing for more than one can be hectic due to not knowing who your first opponent will be and everyone has different styles and as you know styles make fights.
Touching on the Four Nations, I believe that was your first time being involved. How did you find the experience as a whole, and what are some lessons you’ve taken away from it?
Yeah, the Four Nations was a great experience. I really enjoyed competing, taking in an experienced and crafty amateur vet, Ethan Ridler, in my first bout, and I feel like I passed that test with flying colours; it wasn’t the most entertaining fight, but I didn’t take any damage, and I feel like I dominated him better than anyone else before me, I completely shut him down, and obviously the finals Vs jack Henshall didn’t go my way. Still, I love Jack; again, he’s a crafty vet of the amateur game. We’ve trained together in the past, and I’m sure we will again in the future. The whole weekend of the four nations was the first time I ever truly felt present in the cage fully, and I feel like going forward, that will make me a dangerous opponent.
You made your amateur debut in 2021 and have racked up many fights since. How would you sum up your amateur career up until now?
Debuting in 2021, I’m happy that since then, I’ve had eight amateur fights, I’ve racked up good experience obviously fighting at the IMMAF worlds and Four Nations, and I’ve made great relationships with coaches and training partners along the way, I’ve fought various styles, I’ve won, and I’ve lost. This is now my 9th amateur fight coming up, and I feel like this is the real next step in solidifying myself as a top UK and European flyweight.
Jacob Wall Talks GTFP 23
GTFP 23, you’ll compete against Joe Frogham for the promotions flyweight strap. How much more added you fuel and motivation does that give you in the camp when there’s a belt on the line?
The belt means everything to me; I feel like winning the GTFP flyweight title really does help me stake my claim to being a top flyweight in the country. Winning the title is a dream and a goal in my amateur career; back in June, I planned to make a statement over Will Branch and call for my shot. Obviously, that fight didn’t happen, but it’s played out well for me now. I know Joe’s coming in with the same goal, but he’s standing between me and my current goal, and this is as far as he goes.
You posted on Instagram, “The belt is coming home with me, believe that.” What do you need to do on September 2 to ensure that the belt does come home with you?
On September 2, I need to be on my game from start to finish. I need to keep my composure and lock in on the moment. I know I have five rounds to work, so I don’t need to rush or get sloppy in there. I know that if I’m fighting to the best of my ability, I’m a hard fight for any flyweight. I’m a big, strong flyweight, I have a great frame for the division, I’m fast and sharp, I have a well-rounded skill set, and if my striking, wrestling and grappling are all flowing together, I’ll be a lot for him to handle in the cage.
Coming Home With The Belt
Your opponent, Joe Frogham, has yet to have that much cage time and experience. With one fight under his belt, what can you take away from his debut, and is there anything in his game you must be cautious of upon study?
So Joe has actually had four fights. He just seems to be a man of many names and has a Tapology under the last name Frodsham as well; he has a 2-2 record, he’s only lost to good fighters, and from his fights, I can tell he’s a well-rounded fighter and is clearly confident in his skills as he stepped up to the plate when my original opponent pulled out. He cokes game to fight, and he’s fit to go three rounds well, so I know he’ll be ready to go five just like me if we get there. I’ve seen some things that will definitely work in my favour; he’s riding a two-fight win streak, so I’m sure he will be feeding off of that. He’s comfortable wherever the fight goes, and he’s all business when he steps into the cage on fight night. I have big respect for stepping up, but he’s an obstacle in my way, and as I said before, he’s standing between me and what I want.
Wolverhampton, Jacob Wall vs. Joe Frogham, tell the viewers how it unfolds.
As always, I predict a finish. I’m very excited to have five rounds to work, and if we make it to the championship rounds, I’ll be fit and ready to keep a high pace. I know it’ll be an all-action fight for as long as it lasts, But I will finish him within the five rounds, knockout or submission. It doesn’t matter to me, but I know I will be walking out of there as the new GTFP flyweight champion.
