Danny McIntosh is determined to upset the odds in London tomorrow night and capture the vacant British title by handing Welsh wizard Nathan Cleverly his first defeat. McIntosh, the reigning English Champion also holds an impressive undefeated record but he remains a 4/1 outsider ahead of the bout. The Norwich man has promised to make a mockery of those odds at the York Hall, Bethnal Green when he headlines the Hennessy Sports card. The event is live on ITV4’s Big Fight Live from 8pm and McIntosh is relishing the opportunity to shine in front of the cameras..
“There’s going to be an awful lot of people with egg on their face after tomorrow night,” predicted McIntosh. “I’ve every confidence in my ability and there’s been plenty of hype about him being the next Joe Calzaghe but when he gets in that ring the hype will disappear and he’ll be faced with the reality.
“I know a lot of people are picking against me but that just puts all the pressure on him. I know what I’m capable of. I’ve worked really hard for this fight and I know that the British title is coming back with me to Norwich.”
At today’s weigh in both men made the weight at the first time of asking. Full details from today’s weigh in and the line up for tomorrow night appears below. Doors open at the York Hall tomorrow night at 6pm with the boxing commencing at 6:30. ITV4’s Big Fight Live coverage starts at 8pm and runs until 11pm.
British Light Heavyweight Title (12 Rounds): Danny McIntosh (174.25 Lbs) V Nathan Cleverly (174 Lbs)
Light Welterweight Contest: (8 Rounds): Jon Thaxton (140.5 Lbs) V Tom Glover (145 Lbs)
Light Middleweight Contest: (6 Rounds) Steve O’Meara (153 Lbs) V Lee Noble (158 Lbs)
Heavyweight Contest: (6 Rounds): Tyson Fury V Aleksandrs Selezens
Welterweight Contest: (6 Rounds): Lee Purdy V Kevin McAuley
Lightweight (6 Rounds): Andy Murray V Adam Kelly
Featherweight (4 Rounds): Del Rogers V Mo Khaled
Super Featherweight (4 Rounds): Bobby Ward V Sid Razak
McIntosh and Cleverly go head to head
Unbeaten duo Danny McIntosh and Nathan Cleverly will come face to face tomorrow (1pm at the York Hall) to weigh in ahead of their British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight title showdown at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday night. The double title clash headlines the Hennessy Sports event with ITV4’s coverage of the Big Fight Live starting at 8pm and running until 11pm. The undercard includes former British and European Lightweight champion Jon Thaxton in an intriguing clash with Tom Glover while unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury makes his seventh pro appearance on the undercard.
Many within boxing are tipping Welsh star Cleverly as the next Joe Calzaghe but McIntosh believes that he can upset the odds and inflict the first defeat of Cleverly’s career while maintaining his own perfect record.
“There’s going to be a lot of people with egg on their face after this fight,” predicted McIntosh. “I’ve heard people like Barry McGuigan saying that it’s too soon for me and that I need more experience but I couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks.”
McIntosh has been unimpressed by Cleverly’s reign as Commonwealth champion and questions the calibre of his opposition. “He’s looked good blowing them away but anyone would have looked good against those guys. He’s a nice technician and a decent boxer but I don’t think he’s been tested at all yet and he’s going to get a shock when he gets in the ring with me.”
Cleverly though believes he can add the vacant British title to his Commonwealth belt. “I’m very confident,” said the Cefn Fforst man. “He’s a respectable boxer but I think I’m in a different league to him to be honest. No way am I phased by Danny McIntosh, I’ve sparred bigger and better guys than him and I think it’s a matter of going into the York Hall and doing what I do best, remaining unbeaten and bringing the belts away.”
6 foot 9 inch heavyweight giant Tyson Fury will look to extend his unbeaten record to seven straight wins on the undercard and maintain his 100% KO ratio in the process by becoming the first man to stop durable Latvian Aleksandrs Selezens.
The chief support bout will see Tom Glover looking to upset the applecart once again as he takes on former British and European Lightweight champ Jon Thaxton while in a special attraction recent Big Brother evictee Angel McKenzie will look to resume her professional boxing career as she takes on Welsh opponent Lana Cooper.
The action packed undercard also features Ireland’s undefeated EU Lightweight champ, Andy Murray and hot prospects Steve O’Meara, Lee Purdy, Dwayne Lewis, Bobby Ward and Del Rogers. Tickets (£35 Unreserved and £70 Ringside) are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.