05.01.07 – Welterweight prospect Ross Minter is delighted to finally see the back of an injury-hit 2006 and is looking forward to making a big-hit in 2007. The Crawley boxer, son of British boxing legend Alan, only fought once last year – a points win over Romford’s Duncan Cottier in July – but now makes his long awaited return on the Michael Sprott-Audley Harrison undercard at the Wembley Arena on February 17 in an eight-round contest..
Last year began badly when he injured his knuckle in sparring that forced him to withdraw from the first defence of his English Welterweight title. Then he pulled out of a May date after he perforated an ear-drum in sparring. In his fight against Cottier, Minter suffered a deep gash above his eye from an accidental head clash. And to top the year off he was KO’d by a viral infection.
But the run of bad luck hasn’t taken away Minter’s focus and he aims to make this year the year he finally breaks through.
“To say last year was a disaster is an understatement,” Started Minter.
“Everything that could go wrong did go wrong but I’m delighted that I kept strong and focused when I was down because it’s made me a stronger person and a more hungry fighter,”
He continued, “In 2005 I was rolling along and I won all four of my fights winning three by stoppage and lifting the Southern Area and English titles so I was looking forward to some great fights in 2006 including a fight against Takaloo,”
“Then in went wrong with injuries, a perforated ear-drum and a virus and then the only fight I did have I got a nasty gash from a clash of heads.”
“As I wasn’t boxing and earning money I did go back to do doing a few shifts as a heating and plumbing engineer and my sponsors Ultrachem helped me out. Anyway, what’s happened has happened and I’ve put that behind me now and I’m looking forward to making 2007 my year,”
The 24-year-old has only lost one of his 19 fights and is eager to get back to business and prove that he is ‘The Boss’ of British welterweights.
“Since I turned professional my ambition was to win a British title and this year it could really happen. I’ve got to fight Colin McNeil in an eliminator and once I come through that then I want the Champion Kevin Anderson as soon as possible,”
“After everything that’s happened I don’t want to look too far ahead but I’m really excited about getting back in the ring so I’m focused on making sure that I’m in top shape for February 17.”
Michael Sprott’s EU Heavyweight title defence against Audley Harrison headlines the ‘England Expects’ show and special attraction is the Olympic Silver Medallist Amir Khan. A top quality undercard includes Anthony Small, Eddie Cocoran, Tommy Saunders and the pro-debuts of Vinny Mitchell and Derek Chisora.
Tickets are available from See Tickets on 0870 060 3794 or Ticketmaster on 0870 602 1122