Boxing Trainer John Rooney Jr Goes On Record About Prizefighter

© Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

John Rooney Jnr. head coach and owner of the World Famous Gleason’s Gym London near Tower Bridge, spoke out on the upcoming Prizefighter 7 – The Cruiserweights, which takes place at Earl’s Court on Tuesday May 19th, and the chances of his charge, former British, Commonwealth and WBU International Champion Bruce ‘Lionheart’ Scott, being victorious and pocketing the top prize of £25,000.

Rooney, who as a manager and/or trainer, guided many well known fighters, such as fellow Prizefighter 7 competitor Micky Steeds, British Featherweight Champion Martin Lindsay and British, Commonwealth and European Middleweight Champion Howard Eastman, to national and International glory, was chosen by ‘Lionheart’ to prepare him for his return to big time boxing, following a three year sabbatical from the sport, because as the big Jamaican simply puts it. “John’s the best in the business and Gleason’s is the best gym in the World”

Following Scott’s final coaching session the ever chirpy Irishman sat down and spoke about Scott’s preparations, his first opponent in the tournament and the Prizefighter series.

On Scott’s training Rooney said. “Bruce is training really well at the minute. He’s been out for three years but has lived the clean life in the three year period and hasn’t abused his body. I’ve known Bruce for ten years and I’ve never seen him looking this good.

Bruce Scott’s gonna be hard to beat, put it like that, Bruce is gonna be hard to beat. In sparring he’s been dropping heavier guys to the head and the body. I don’t have any concerns on any of the guys in Prizefighter including the ones coming up from Light Heavyweight to make Cruiserweight. Bruce Scott has every chance of winning.”

On learning that Scott has been drawn to face the former World Boxing Foundation and World Boxing Federation, WBO Inter-Continental and BBBofC British Champion, John ‘Buster’ Keeton, in the second quarterfinal of
Prizefighter 7 – The Cruiserweights on the 19th May at Earl’s Court, Rooney grinned broadly before saying “I think we’ll be fighting the winner of one of the other quarterfinals in the next round. Bruce has knocked Buster out twice. Not that I’m saying he’ll do that again, but this is the best I have seen Bruce in ten years quite frankly.”

This will be the third time that ‘Lionheart’ and ‘Buster’ have fought each other. The first, in December ‘94, Scott knocked Keeton out in the second round. Almost six years to the day, on the 16th December 2000, they
faced each other again for the BBBofC British Cruiserweight title. After six rounds of brutal action ‘Lionheart’ again finished off ‘Buster’ with a devastating knockout punch.

Finally Rooney gave his thoughts on the Prizefighter series. “It’s really good entertainment, It’s the best boxing on the telly. It’s an all drama type situation. It’s a great success for TV. Barry Hearn is talking about taking the series to the US and Asia as well. It’s brought the life back to boxing.”

The Prizefighter series is a knockout boxing tournament created by boxing promoter Barry Hearn and aired on Sky Sports. The format has an initial eight fighters compete in four quarterfinals with the chance of fighting their way into a final fight for a chance to win a main prize of £25000. All contests take place on the same evening and consist of 3 x 3 minute rounds.

Prizefighter 7: The Cruiserweights, takes place at Earl’s Court in West London on the 19th May 2009. The eight fighters that compete in Prizefighter 7 are all former champions.

They are British, Commonwealth and WBU International Champion Bruce ‘Lionheart’ Scott (27-9), Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion Darren ‘Raging Bull’ Corbett (27-4-1), British and European Cruiserweight Champion Terry Dunstan (20-2), British, Commonwealth and European Light Heavyweight Champion Dean ‘Star’ Francis
(30-3-1).

British Cruiserweight Champion John ‘Buster’ Keeton (26-16), British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Neil ‘Simmo’ Simpson (26-18-1), British Southern Area Cruiserweight Champion Micky Steeds (12-4) who replaced Mark Krence, who pulled out following an injury sustained during training, Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Ovill The Upsetter’ McKenzie (14-9)

Take note now so you don’t kick yourself afterwards. Prizefighter 7 – The Cruiserweights is a don’t miss event and will be held at Earl’s Court Arena in West London on Tuesday 19th May 2009

Tickets cost £25 (unreserved) and £50 (reserved, ringside) and are available by calling 0870 264 3333 or 01277 359900.