Matchroom Boxing: Robin Reid Will Mount Comeback For Prizefighter

Robin Reid will make his boxing comeback in his hometown of Liverpool when he lines up in Prizefighter Super-Middleweights II on March 23.

The Grim Reaper steps out of retirement at Liverpool Olympia live on Sky Sports in the 17th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournaments, and warned prospective opponents that he still packs a punch despite leaving the game four years ago.

“I pack a punch and I’m not one of those guys who will say, ‘I’m going to knock all three guys out’ but that’s what I’m in there for,” said Reid. “I’m knocking on a bit, but I’ve kept myself in good shape – even when I retired four years ago, I stayed in the gym and I’m in this to win it. I know that if I catch somebody they are going to go and from what I’ve seen, the quicker you get them out of there the better – you have more time to recover and touchwood you get no cuts, and you are in good shape to progress.”

Reid was ringside on Saturday (January 29) at London’s Olympia as Travis Dickinson claimed the Light Heavyweights II crown on a dramatic night. Dickinson faced both reserves after injuries forced Margate’s Jack Morris and Reid’s fellow Liverpudlian Tony Dodson to withdraw from the action.

“I enjoyed what I saw in London, it’s very unpredictable, all the cuts and I felt for Tony, he knew he had to drop Menay Edwards (in the semi-final) and he did just that, he looked very good and it would’ve been a great final against Travis but those are the rules.

“The way I look at it is that I’ve got bags of experience and I’m used to doing 12 rounds but I’ll be fit enough to do three-threes.”

Reid – who will be 40 when fight night comes around – has applied for his license with the British Boxing Board of Control and will fight in February in a four-round warm-up contest. Reid was strongly linked in the national press with a place in the Light Heavyweights II line-up and although he says there was no truth in the rumours, it sparked the conversations that see the 46 fight veteran top the bill in Liverpool, alongside two more local stars, Tony Quigley and Carl Dilks.

“There was something in the press saying that I was going to be doing the Light Heavyweights II, I didn’t see it but the phone was going with people saying ‘I see you are making a comeback in Prizefighter,’” said Reid. “Eddie Hearn rang and asked if there was any truth in the story and I told him no. He then asked me about March and I asked for a week to think about it but it was a yes in two days!

“The money is good, don’t get me wrong, but I’m comfortable so I don’t need the money. In boxing at the minute there’s just Amir Khan and David Haye, but apart from that there’s no big stars there. I’m not saying I am a massive star but I’m a three-time World Champion. James DeGale is out there of course and that could be a great fight for me down the line.

“Tony, Carl and I are Liverpool lads so it’s bound to be a great night. The fans there will love it and the fact we’re all Scousers will give it an extra edge.”

Matchroom Sport managing director Eddie Hearn added: “When the story broke about Robin being in the Light Heavyweights II we were obviously keen to have such a big name in the event. I met with Robin and he still had a desire and still looked sharp in the gym. He feels he can still do some damage in the division and Prizefighter gives him the opportunity to find that out in just one night. Who knows what the future holds for him but by March 24 we will all know the answer.”

Tickets for Prizefighter Super Middleweights II at Liverpool Olympia on Wednesday 23 March are now available from Matchroom Sport priced £30 unreserved, £50 ringside and £100 VIP – to buy call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.