Frank Maloney Boxing: Haywood Hits The Headlines

Scott Haywood is making sure his challenge for Ajose Olusegun’s Commonwealth light welterweight title is front page news.

The Derby dazzler has turned his hand at becoming a journalist by writing a big fight diary for his local evening newspaper where he gives readers a fantastic insight into his training regime.

Haywood, 27, is certain he’ll be getting even more column inches if he beats the London based Nigerian at Barnsley Metrodome on Friday.

“I know I am his worst nightmare,” Haywood said. “I am worried about taking this fight because he is a top-ranked opponent but I’m not really that nervous about facing him.

“I believe in my own ability. He hits a lot harder than me but if he doesn’t catch me early on, I am going to take it away from him. He is a big hitter but the longer the fights go the less effective he gets and that’s when my fitness will really tell.

“If I let him do his stuff, he is going to beat me but I won’t let that happen. There is always somebody out there to beat anyone and I believe I have a good enough style to be the first to beat Olusegun.”

Haywood, 19-2, stormed to the English title last September with a thrilling points win over Midlands rival Dean Harrison, but has given up the belt to challenge Olusegun, 25-0, who is ranked sixth in the WBC rankings.

Top of the bill in South Yorkshire is Leicester dustman Rendall Munroe, who defends his European super bantamweight title against old rival Kiko Martinez.

In a special attraction, Sunderland’s Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries makes his professional debut in a light-heavyweight battle against Belarusian Aliaksandr Vayavoda.

There are just a few tickets left and they can be purchased by calling 0871 226 1508 or logging on to www.frankmaloney.com.