Boxing News Boxing News
Hennessy Sports promoted Dave Stewart can take a big step towards another title shot when he appears in the chief support contest on the Hennessy Sports “Outright’ promotion at the Nottingham Arena on November 24th.
The Wanstead based Scot will meet proven championship operator Kpakpo Allotey, from Ghana, in an eliminator for the Commonwealth lightweight title on the undercard of Carl Froch’s defence of his British super middleweight title against long-term rival Tony Dodson.
It will be his first outing since losing to Lee Meager earlier this year in a breathtaking affair for the British championship that has been nominated as one of the fights of the year.
Victory could see him line up an all-Scottish Commonwealth showdown against current holder Willie Limmond.
“It’s good to be straight back into a meaningful, long-distance fight against a quality operator,” said Stewart, on hearing the news that the Commonwealth Council had granted their approval.
“Titles are what I am after. This is a great opportunity for me to go a long way towards getting a fight with Willie. I know Willie, he is a great guy and I have got a lot of respect for him, but I would fancy my chances.”
It will soon be possible to draw a strong form-line – Limmond fought Allotey last time out.
Understandably Stewart, trained by Tony Sims, was a keen observer. Whilst he witnessed his countryman lift his first title, he came away impressed with his next opponent.
“Allotey is very tough, very strong and very wild,” he appraised. “He is very typical of fighters from that part of the world. He’s going to be a real handful, but he isn’t as polished as me.
“I’m expecting a long, hard fight – I always do. But I am a big lightweight so I’m not worried about his strength. I think I can handle that and I think I will win it on skill.”
Stewart’s preparation for the contest has been standout.
“Apart from a short break when I suffered a minor injury to my foot, I have been in the gym for 10 weeks now,” explained the 31-year-old who, at 6 foot, is a nightmare for any lightweight. “I’m feeling really well.
“I have actually been sparring Lee Meager. We have been helping each other out – he is training for his fight against Jon Thaxton in December. That kind of sparring is second to none.”
The Hennessy Sports “Outright’ event featuring Carl Froch and Dave Stewart takes place at the Nottingham Arena on November 24th. For tickets please call 0870 121 0123. For a full bill please visit www.HennessySports.com.
