04.05.05 – By Curtis McCormick: Graham Earl is determined to add the Commonwealth belt to his trophy case and isn’t about to let anyone stand in his way. The British Lightweight Champion defends his crown in a double title fight with Commonwealth ruler Kevin Bennett in London, England on Thursday May 12th..
The Luton man is coming off a sub par showing, and subsequent loss to unbeaten prospect Ricky Burns this past February, but maintains that slip up was just the kind of wake up call he needed.
“My heart hadn’t been in boxing for a couple of years going into my last fight,” said Earl
“I’d been getting through and I’d been winning big fights, even with my heart not in it. I believe things happen for a reason and the way I was going, a loss was bound to happen, I’m just glad that it occurred against Burns rather than when my title had been on the line.
“Everyone in the boxing game who really knows me knows it wasn’t Graham Earl in the ring that night. It’s done Burns a lot of good but for myself it was just a little misstep and really just a problem that I believe I’ve worked out.”
Earl feels that opponent Kevin Bennett represents the kind of credible threat that he needs to bring out the best in himself.
“Kevin Bennett is a tough, strong willed fighter who just does not give up,” said the British Champion. “I believe he’s similar in style to Steve Murray and while Bennett may not have quite the same one punch power as Murray, I believe he’ll be stronger as he’s coming down in weight from light welter. I’ve got a very good boxing brain and if I need to change strategies, then I can go to plan B, C or D, no problem. I found a way to win against Murray twice and I believe that I can do the same against Bennett.”
Earl knows that third chances in boxing are almost non existent and is resolute not to allow this opportunity to slip from his grasp. “Both myself and Bennett obviously want to walk away from this fight with the British and Commonwealth belts and that alone is going to make this a cracking fight. But I’m more than willing and able to get the job done because this is a must win fight for me. I want to get through this and move on because I need to go on to bigger things.
“I believe that in this fight I’ll box better than I ever have before and everyone should watch it because they’ll see a different Graham Earl on the 12th of May, an improved Graham Earl.”
For the best in world boxing, it’s “Lightweight Bragging Rights” the much-anticipated showdown between British Champion Graham Earl and Commonwealth Champion Kevin Bennett on Thursday, May 12th. Other attractions include the British Masters Welterweight title fight between Nathan Ward and James Paisley as well as the pro debut of amateur sensation Craig Watson, the comeback of “Dynamite” Dean Phillips, cruiserweight hot prospect Junior MacDonald and the popular undefeated light middle Gary Woolcombe.
Log onto www.fightnight.com or www.setanta.com to find out how you can see this worldwide pay per view event on televisions in the UK and Ireland or on computer screens across the globe!