Tom Aspinall claims fans have unfair expectations of him

Tom Aspinall believes he has unfairly lost some fans since his last fight. Aspinall’s first heavyweight title defense ended in an unfortunate no-contest after a double eye poke from Ciryl Gane left the champion unable to continue. Aspinall’s decision not to continue divided fans. Some accused Aspinall of being saved because Gane looked good while the fight lasted.

Aspinall believes fans have unfair expectations of him because of his own success. The Englishman has won all 15 of his career to date, only advancing beyond the first round once. According to Aspinall, fans start criticizing him if he doesn’t finish the fight within the first minute. However, “Honey Badger” still has some fans who support him and has become indifferent to the opponents.

‘The tide has turned’

“I often think about my success, my record, that record I have, and finishing fights really quickly – like if I don’t finish the fight in the first minute, people will think I look bad,” Aspinall said in a recent interview on Paddy Pimblett’s YouTube channel. “..No, we’re just evenly matched and we’re having a fight. I haven’t hit him right yet. It’s been pretty smooth for me for the fans, but the tide has turned. But I have a lot of good things too, it’s not all bad. It’s just thickened my skin a little bit, and you just have to see it for what it is. You dirty bastard, he just needs to cut his fingernails. Disgusting.”Aspinall is expected to undergo surgery on both of his eyes, leaving no room for any speculation about his return timeline.