Purdy Eyes World Stage From Alexandra Palace

Lee Purdy says he intends to break into the World scene after landing a shot at the IBF International welterweight title against unbeaten Argentine Gumersindo Carrasco on the ‘London Calling’ bill at Alexandra Palace in north London on Saturday September 8, live on Sky Sports.

With high knockout percentages both men promise to provide fireworks in their chief support bout to Tony Bellew’s mouth-watering clash against Edison Miranda on an action-packed fight night with five titles up for grabs.

English champion Purdy had been preparing for a title defence before grabbing the chance to fight for the belt that Kell Brook relinquished for his stablemate to reach for the World stage, and the 25 year old is determined to take out the Argentine who comes to London with a big reputation and an impressive record of 13 KOs from 16 wins.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me to catapult myself onto the World stage and I believe I can do it,” said Purdy. ““I don’t think it’s a big step-up for me, I think it’s a big step-up for him.

“People have been saying he’s a big puncher but I carry a big dig myself and people are forgetting that. He’s been down a few times and he is going to walk onto some big shots and I believe I’ll take him out.

“We’ve got a game plan and tactics now that we’ve seen the opponent, nothing is going to change in the preparation and I’m going to be training as hard as ever which is going to make for a great fight.”

Purdy bounced back from losing his British title in style with a fifth round stoppage win over Adnan Amar to win the English title in March, a title he defended in style with a first round stoppage of Chris Johnson in July with a brutal body shot doing the business.

The Colchester man had designs on regaining the British belt, but is now looking at the potential to fight for bigger prizes.

“If I win this fight I’m in the picture and I’ll be up there with the best,” said Purdy. “A few weeks ago I was looking at a British or Commonwealth title shot but now when I win this fight I’m on the World scene and domestic level will be beneath me.”

Bellew and Purdy headline a great season opener on Sky Sports with exciting light middleweight star Erick Ochieng defending his English title for the second time against Southern Area champ Ryan Toms, hotly tipped Islington middleweight John Ryder will also be in action while popular unbeaten Chris ‘The Flash’ Evangelou fights for the first title of his career when he tackles Danny Connor for the vacant Southern Area light welterweight title.

There are debuts for Team GB stars Iain Weaver and Martin Ward who hope to follow the example set by Kal Yafai when he stopped Delroy Spencer on his debut in July.

Yafai fights for the second time as a pro, as does cruiserweight prospect Wadi Camacho and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor completes the line-up in his seventh pro outing.

Tickets for ‘London Calling’ led by Bellew and Purdy are available now priced £40 unreserved, £60 ringside and £120 VIP from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and www.matchroomboxing.com