Matchroom Boxing: Cruiserweight Prizefighter Draw Announced

The draw for Prizefighter Cruiserweights has been made and some old scores could be settled on Tuesday, May 19.

Eight cruiserweights will be competing in Barry Hearn’s next all-in-one-night tournament at the Earl’s Court in London where the last man standing earns £25,000.

Four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final will be staged inside an action-packed three hours, with each contest lasting no more than three rounds.

The draw was held aboard the HMS Victory and was conducted by Vice Admiral Alan Massey CBE ADE Second Sea Lord and former WBO Cruiserweight Champion Johnny Nelson.

John Keeton will be out for revenge in the second quarter-final as he meets Bruce Scott, who has defeated him twice during his professional career.

Scott stopped Keeton in the second round back in 1994 and then knocked him out in the sixth in December, 2000 when the vacant British Championship was on the line.

Dean Francis and Neil Simpson, who meet in the first quarter-final, also have history as Francis stopped Simpson during the third round of their clash in April, 1996.

The other quarter-finals pair former world title challenger Terry Dunstan against late replacement Ovill McKenzie before Londoner Micky Steeds goes up against Belfast’s Darren Corbett.

A good performance in Prizefighter can change the course of a fighter’s career. On Friday, May 15, Martin Rogan, the winner of Prizefighter Heavyweights 1, meets Sam Sexton, the winner of Prizefighter Heavyweights 2, with the Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship up for grabs.

The eight men in Prizefighter Cruiserweights have all previously held or fought for either a European, Commonwealth or British title, so the competition will be fierce.

Promoter Hearn went on record about how he sees the matchups.

Quarter-final 1: Dean Francis v Neil Simpson

Barry Hearn: “Dean Francis is the 15/8 betting favourite and for a good reason. He’s ambitious, strong and looking to challenge for a world title after winning Prizefighter.

“Neil Simpson will give him a huge test although I go with the bookmakers with this one.”

Quarter-final 2: John Keeton v Bruce Scott

BH: “Bruce Scott has not come out of retirement to play games. He is here to win Prizefighter and he has power in both hands to do the job.

“John Keeton has been on a few tough journeys in his career and this looks like being another tough one.”

Quarter-final 3: Terry Dunstan v Ovill McKenzie

BH: “Ovill McKenzie is coming in as a last-minute replacement and he may have drawn one of the toughest fights of the night. Terry Dunstan was a great fighter and he is still a superb athlete so I don’t expect him to tire.

“I’m looking to Dunstan to win but he may have to settle for a points victory.”

Quarter-final 4: Micky Steeds v Darren Corbett

BH: “Without doubt this is the pick of the quarter-finals. Darren Corbett can bang but has been stopped. Micky will bring all of his massive support and the heart the size of a lion.

“This is a tough to pick fight so I’m going to sit on the fence with this one. But whoever wins this contest has a real chance of going on to claim the Prizefighter crown.”

General comments

BH: “If my predictions are right then the semi-finals will be Dean Francis v Bruce Scott and Terry Dunstan v Micky Steeds or Darren Corbett.

“I can’t think of a better line-up to be put on for British fight fans in the last 20 years.

“Whatever happens from this step on, you’ve as much clue as I have! What I can tell you though is that it will be carnage.

“Don’t miss this. Evenings like this don’t come along as often.”

Whoever wins Prizefighter Cruiserweights will pocket £25,000, the runner-up goes home with £12,000, losing semi-finalists earn £8,000 with those defeated in the quarter-finals collecting £4,000.

The full list of contenders is: Darren Corbett (Belfast), Terry Dunstan (Vauxhall, London), Dean Francis (Basingstoke / Finchley), John Keeton (Sheffield), Ovill McKenzie (Derby), Bruce Scott (Hackney), Neil Simpson (Coventry) and Micky Steeds (Isle of Dogs, London).

Tickets cost £25 (unreserved) and £50 (reserved) and are available by calling 0870 903 9033 (24-hours), online at www.seetickets.com

or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. The whole show will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1 from 8pm.