Boxing In Britain: Prizefighter Lineup Gets Star Treatment On Sky Sports

ByBoxing Press


© Lawrence Lustig

The ten boxers lined-up for Prizefighter Super-Middleweights at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Wednesday June 30 live on Sky Sports began the countdown to the show with today’s promotional shoot at Sky Sports studios in London.

The eight starters on the night were joined by the two reserves for a number of promotional activities including Sky Sports interviews for the night and promotional videos and pictures, all within tantalising touching distance of the Prizefighter trophy which will go to the winner of the 13th edition on Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournament, along with a cheque for £32,000.

“I’ve been laughing all day, I’m so excited – it’s been amazing coming down here to Sky it’s such a big thing for me and I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Maidenhead’s Patrick Mendy, who makes history as the youngest boxer to take part in Prizefighter at the age of 19. “It’s made it more real being here and I cannot wait to get into the ring now and show people what I can do.”

The contenders face the biggest night of their professional careers when they take to the famous York Hall ring, but some of them found some parts of the promotional day almost as daunting as a the boxing itself.

“It’s been a very good day – but I’m not sure about the make-up, I don’t really like girls who wear too much!” said Tony Salam, the Stoke Newington fighter who won the first public vote to take the final spot in the show.

“I’ve never been around this sort of press attention but I’ve enjoyed it, I won’t be telling the boys about the make-up, even though I could do with it!” added Jeff Evans, the unbeaten Pontypool boxer who is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Gavin Rees as a Welsh winner.

The conversation in the green room inevitably turned to the World Cup as the fighters waited their turn to face the cameras – and the pre-fight banter began in earnest.

“Tony has been talking about football and how Fabio Capello should sack John Terry and Wayne Rooney and put in a bunch of League One players! We’re like “are you crazy!?” So the banter has been pretty good in there – it’s been a laugh,” said English champion Paul David, the Sheffield-based fighter from Northampton.

“It’s been good to be around the boys like this too, you can get a bit of banter going while you are waiting around and if someone starts acting the big one, it’s something you can take into the ring on the night,” said Waltham Abbey’s Daniel Cadman.

“You don’t know who you are going to be drawn against yet so you don’t wanting to be walking around growling as it might come back and bite you but they’re good lads.”

One man who has experienced the big occasion is Sam Horton, the Dudley fighter who took on James DeGale at Upton Park in May. “I’m used to it now after the DeGale fight so this feels natural already which can only be a good thing for me going into the night,” said the 24 year-old.

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