Matchroom Boxing: Sprott Out, Perkins In For Prizefighter Heavyweights III

Undefeated prospect Neil Perkins has been given a potential life-changing opportunity by being drafted into Prizefighter Heavyweights III.

Perkins, 27, comes in to replace Michael Sprott, who has withdrawn from the eight-man, one-night boxing tournament after the recent death of his sister Ginette.

The latest Prizefighter event, which will be staged at the ExCel in London on Friday, October 2, features some of the biggest names in British boxing.

Current British Champion Danny Williams and former Olympic Games gold medalist Audley Harrison are among the other competitors, all vying for the £32,000 winner’s prize.

“This is a huge opportunity for me and I’m going to take it,” said Perkins, undefeated from his four professional fights.

“I got the phone call saying if I wanted to be in Prizefighter and I had ten minutes to decide but I didn’t need any time and immediately said ‘I’m in’.

“You live with the fear everyday of knowing the names involved and you question yourself whether you are good enough.

“But the more time I’ve thought about it, the more I realise that over three rounds anyone could win this tournament.

“This format will suit the shorter, lighter guys and my gameplan is all about using pace. I won 18 out of 21 amateur fights and that’s going to stand me in good stead.”

Perkins, a former ABA finalist, runs a gym in Birmingham and has recently sparred with former British title challenger John McDermott.

Each Prizefighter fight will be shown live on Sky Sports and Perkins hopes to perform well after replacing former British and Commonwealth Champion Sprott.

“It’s a real tragedy,” added Perkins. “It makes you realise how close everyone in the boxing community is.

“Michael was one of my early spars as a professional and is a gentleman.

“I hope to do his place in Prizefighter well and be a credit to his. He has fought everyone and always carried himself with dignity – he is a British boxing legend.”

Prizefighter Heavyweights III is expected to be a 5,000 sell-out, although some tickets are still available.

Tickets cost £40 and £80 and can be bought from See Tickets on 0871 220 0260, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

The quarter-final draw is: 1. Scott Gammer (Pembroke Dock, Wales) v Coleman Barrett (Galway, Ireland), 2. Danny Williams (Brixton) v Carl Baker (Sheffield), 3. Audley Harrison (London / California) v Scott Belshaw (Lisburn, Northern Ireland), 4. Neil Perkins (Birmingham) v Danny Hughes (Sunderland).