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Mickey Steeds is confident that reinventing himself at cruiserweight will lead to bigger and better things. The Isle of Dogs boxer has competed at heavy throughout his career, but makes his debut in the lighter division on the Hennessy Sports “SENI:BOX’ promotion at ExCeL London in Docklands this Friday.
Despite notching up 11 wins and only suffering two defeats in the unlimited division – both to Scott Gammer, one for the British Title – the 23-year-old feels that his best form lies ahead. He debuts against Doncaster’s useful John Anthony, 5(3)-5.
“I wasn’t as serous at training before like I am now,” explained Steeds, whose girlfriend gave birth to a baby girl (Kessie) last week. “I have changed a few things and got a nutritionist on board. The weight just started to fly off.
“I was fighting at just under 15 stone as a heavyweight and I just didn’t have that extra power to hurt the bigger boys. But now I’m a cruiserweight, I’m starting to hit harder and can be a real force in this division.
“Buster Keaton is the British champion and I would like to fight him by the end of the year, or someone like Tommy Eastwood. When I fought Gammer last time I had a neck injury and should never have been fighting. But it’s great to be fighting at cruiserweight now.”
“SENI:BOX,’ being covered live by Sky Sports, is the launch event for the seni07 Sports Combat Show being held at ExCeL London this weekend.
The seni experience – a three-day showcase of Combat Sports, Martial Arts and Extreme Fitness – has been brought to the Capital for the very first time by organisers Fighters Inc.
Appropriately, in addition to the clash between Spartacus and Peter Haymer for the vacant British Light Heavyweight Title, the opening night features a raft of local talent including Lenny Daws, Peter Haymer, Matthew Thirlwall, David Walker, Dave Stewart, George Hillyard and Steeds.
There promises to be an electric atmosphere with each being well supported, particularly Steeds who draws on a very large fan base.
“It’s brilliant to be fighting so close to home,” he added. “I will have a big support there. I’m just off the island so a lot of mates will be there and loads from the underground, where I work doing the maintenance down the tunnels.
“My mates from working on the boats on the Thames are all coming along as well. I hope to be fighting for a title soon so it would be great to build up a big fan base.”
Hennessy Sports Proudly Present
“SENI:BOX’
TOE 2 TOE ARENA
@ ExCeL LONDON
Friday 18th May 2007.
Doors 6pm, Boxing Starts 6.30pm.
Tickets priced £30, £40 and £75 available on 0870 060 1795
12×3 Vacant British Light Heavyweight Title
Spartacus vs. Tony Oakey
(Ipswich) (Portsmouth)
8×3 Light Heavyweight
Peter Haymer vs. Paul David
(St Pancras) (Northampton)
8×3 Light Welterweight
Lenny Daws vs. TBA
(Morden) ()
8×3 Cruiserweight
Troy Ross vs. Tony Booth
(Canada) (Hull)
8×3 Light Middleweight
George Hillyard vs. Tony Rendall
(Canning Town) (Birmingham)
6×3 Middleweight
Matthew Thirlwall vs. TBA
(Bermondsey) ()
6×3 Welterweight
David Walker vs. Catweazle Hudson
(Sidcup/Bermondsey) (Cambridge)
6×3 Lightweight
Dave Stewart vs. Billy Smith
(Wanstead) (Worcester)
6×3 Cruiserweight
Mickey Steeds vs. John Anthony
(Isle of Dogs) (Doncaster)
