Matchroom Boxing: Pickering Aiming To Pip McCullough At Prizefighter

Esham Pickering claims that his best days in Boxing are yet to come and that will start with victory in Prizefighter Super-Bantamweights.

Pickering is part of Barry Hearn’s latest eight-man, one night tournaments which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, East London on Saturday May 29.

The Nottinghamshire man has held European, British and Commonwealth belts but at 33 years-old he says that winning Prizefighter will help him claim more titles.

“This is everything to me, I’ll be doing my utmost to win Prizefighter and I really do believe I can,” said Pickering. “Outsiders looking into Boxing have been saying I’m finished and that I was finished back in 2005 – I haven’t been performing since 2004 really.

“I know that this is my redemption call though and I’m looking to lift the Prizefighter trophy and move on to win my British title outright which I need one more win to do that, then win my European title back, that’s what I’m looking to achieve and I know I can do it.

Wayne McCullough is the marquee name in the event but while Pickering regards the American-based Northern Irishman as a boxing great he is focused on the main prize rather than the former world champion.

“Wayne hasn’t been active for a while but he’s a force to be reckoned with, I don’t care that he’s 39 years old,” said Pickering. “He’s been a world champion and is a great ambassador for the sport so he’s got my utmost respect. Everyone is going to be up for it and with a big name like his in there it’s going to be such an exciting night – he’s a legend but I’m not really interested who I fight, I just want to fight and win Prizefighter.”

McCullough and Pickering will be the most familiar names on the bill, but Prizefighter has grown a reputation for offering hungry young fighters the chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage and the rest of the line-up will relish tackling either man.

Welshman Ricky Owen while Liverpool’s Mark Moran fought for the British title. Aberdeen-born Gavin Reid has fought for the Scottish title, Josh Wale of Barnsley has challenged for the English crown and Middlesbrough’s Chris Riley is a former England junior international.

With 43 fights to his name the Newark-based fighter is the most experienced fighter on the bill and he thinks that experience could be the key.

“Mark Moran has fought for a British title against Jason Booth and Josh Wale is a tough ask too – it’s going to be the best Prizefighter without a doubt. Three rounds might suit the lads who have just come out of the amateurs but when you do it three times in the night it’s a different story – especially without head guards and vests. So I expect my experience will come into play and I can box and fight too, and they’ll see that on the night. My best is yet to come in Boxing and this is my chance.”

Pickering expects to have a good following from Nottingham in the York Hall and watching live on Sky Sports, and his message is clear – the title and his future in the game is there for the taking.

“I’m going to give 100 per cent in every way on the night. I know I can box, I can fight and I’m strong. The fights I’m in will be exciting and entertaining. I’ve always been fit, lived a clean life and trained well, Prizefighter is my big opportunity and I’m going to grab it.”

Tickets for Prizefighter Super-Bantamweights are available now at £35 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.