Veteran Carruthers Looking To Ride Experience At Prizefighter

Terry Carruthers says his experience in the ring can give him the edge in the Prizefighter Light-Middleweights III on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

The 26 year old has 30 pro fights under his belt – seven more than the next most experienced fighter in tonight’s line-up – and the Birmingham fighter expects to be the last man standing in York Hall.

“It could be an advantage because I do have more ring experience than most of the guys here,” said Carruthers. “Some of them have fought at a higher level so have different experience, but I am fast and I am still young, so I have energy in my tank.

Carruthers is hoping tonight will cap a busy year where he has boxed on some high profile cards against fancied opposition. He won the British Masters middleweight belt against Kevin McCauley in March before beating Adnan Amar on the Carl Froch vs. Lucian Bute undercard in May.

Two last minute appearances has raised his profile since July, after he stepped in to face Chris Eubank Jr. and then hopped on a plane at late notice to give Prizefighter All-Irish Middleweights champ Eamonn O’Kane a real test in September.

“In the last year I have been in the ring with some good lads,” said Carruthers. “Hopefully I can bring some of that ring experience into Prizefighter.

“The Chris Eubank Jr. fight has really helped me and people seem to know me now. I had four days notice for the Eubank Jr. fight and I wasn’t at my fittest like I am tonight for Prizefighter. But that fight was still really close and a lot of the body shots he was hitting me with weren’t getting through but they must have been scoring because he won the fight. I thought I won.

“I beat Adnan Amar in May and I would say that was one of the best fights of my career. I was moving well and putting together some good combinations.

“A lot of my losses on my record I see as wins. I have had some draws as well, which are wins away from home. Everybody underestimates me. From looking at my record and then watching me fight, they always then wonder how I have so many losses on the record.”

Carruthers could get the chance to avenge one of those defeats tonight if he faces Kris Carslaw. The pair met for the British Masters title in November 2011 and Carslaw took just three rounds to claim the title against his out-of-sorts opponent.

“I had terrible defence and ran into a stupid shot,” said Carruthers. “Looking back on that fight I was going through a lot of personal problems with my girlfriend and having to move around the country. It was my own fault but you cannot go into a fight when you are not mentally prepared and that is what I did there. This time I won’t be doing that.

“Within the last year I have got my life in order and I am back on track now. Everyone is due an opinion and in my opinion, if I face Kris Carslaw again tonight, I will beat him. I am fit and I am ready. I have a funny feeling I will face him and I would like to because I will show everybody that it was just a mistake I made on my boxing journey.”

Carruthers is joined in the line up fellow Scottish pair Craig McEwan and Kris Carslaw, Middlesex man Ryan Toms, Banbury’s Peter Vaughan, Central Area champ Curtis Valentine and unbeaten pair Larry Ekundayo and Nav Mansouri.

There’s extra spice on the night as for the first time in Prizefighter, a stoppage win will net the victor a £2,000 bonus.

Tickets for Betfair Prizefighter Light Middleweights III are on sale now priced at £40 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £120 (VIP) and available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com