Weighty Subject: Fielding Vows To Impress In Alcoba Litmus Test

Rocky Fielding insists that making weight will not be a problem ahead of his WBA Inter-Continental Super Middleweight title clash with Noe Gonzalez Alcoba at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on July 12, live on Sky Sports.

Fielding failed to make the weight for his Commonwealth title battle with Charles Adamu in March, and the 26 year old says the first thing he did after the fight was address those issues and is now flying in training as a result.

“The last fight there were a few things that didn’t go my way,” said Fielding. “I changed my diet around, my hand went in sparring in the build-up and I had a change of opponent more than once, so it was tough, but I’ve got no excuses.

“I had two weeks off after the fight and I sat down with James Morton, who is Liverpool Football Club’s nutritionist, and I am working with him and with a company called MealTek on my food so I am right on track – the weight is coming off correctly and I am eating well.

“I have a good opponent and plenty of notice for the fight so that has given me great focus and hopefully it will show on the night that knuckling down and doing the weight properly will improve my performance.

“Alcoba has boxed George Groves, Felix Sturm and Adonis Stevenson – he’s got pedigree and a good KO record with 22 from 30 wins, he’s only lost to two World Champions and to Groves so it’s a massive fight for me. He’s tough so I have to be on my game and it’s going to show me what level I am at – it’s a pivotal fight in my career.”

Fielding’s meeting with Alcoba is part of a great line-up of action on Merseyside as bitter rivals Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly continue to move towards a rematch as they face their second fights at Cruiserweight against Julio Cesar Dos Santos and Alejandro Valori, respectively.

Olympic gold medal heroes Anthony Joshua MBE and Luke Campbell MBE close their debut pro seasons with their first action in Liverpool, with Joshua facing Matt Skelton while Campbell’s opponent will be announced soon. They are joined by Team GB teammate and bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo, who faces Sheffield’s Wayne Reed.

Callum Smith defends his WBC International Super Middleweight title against Vladine Biosse and his older brother Stephen keeps busy in an eight-round clash as he prepares to fight for a World title in the new season.

Unbeaten Liverpool Featherweight John Quigley is in his 13th fight on the bill which is completed by former Team GB starlet Gamal Yafai and unbeaten Cambridge Lightweight Tommy Martin.

Tickets are on sale priced £30, £40, £60 and ringside seats at £100 available from the Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 and at www.echoarena.com. VIP tickets priced at £150 are exclusively available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com