Newport fighter meets Jamie Arthur in London on Saturday – Three Welsh boxers are in the line-up for Saturday’s Prizefighter Super Bantamweights at York Hall in Bethnal Green, east London – and Robbie Turley believes the trophy will be heading to the Valleys at the end of the night. Newport fighter Turley faces Commonwealth gold medallist Jamie Arthur in an all-Welsh quarter-final, and if unbeaten Swansea man Ricky Owen beats Gavin Reid in their quarter-final, there will definitely be a Welshman in the final..
Newbridge’s Gavin Rees claimed the Prizefighter Light Welterweight title in December and the draw made by darts legend Phil “The Power” Taylor has certainly increased the chances of a Welshman claiming the £32,000 winner’s cheque live on Sky Sports.
“Jamie Arthur has sparred with me a lot and we’ve fought on the same Newport bills – he’s even commentated on my fights!” said Turley. “It’s a bit strange as we’re friends but it’s a business at the end of the day and we all want to win regardless of who we fight.
“There are three good Welsh boxers in the mix and we’ve got a really good chance to win it. I’m definitely the dark horse in the line-up – I was a top amateur and that pedigree is going to help me out. It’s a new weight for me coming down from featherweight but I believe that this is my weight and I’ve come here to win.”
It will be the first time that Turley has fought outside of Wales, registering seven wins and two defeats from his nine fights as a professional. Making his debut at York Hall will be no problem for the 23 year-old, as he has a clear idea of the strategy that is needed to win Prizefighter.
“I believe the most skilled fighter will win on the night. It’s not about who is the biggest or the bravest,” said Turley. “Bravery can win you a 10 or 12 round fight where you can wear people down but you cannot get worn down over three rounds, Prizefighter is down to skill, speed and accuracy and I’ve got all those ingredients. A win would mean everything to me, a great start to look forward and with a good bank balance too.”
Turley’s desire for victory comes also has roots in his amateur days where he cut his teeth alongside another of Wales’ rising stars.
“I went to the same amateur gym as Nathan Cleverly and until a few months ago he lived about 20 doors from me,” said Turley. “He was my sparring partner for year, we were the youngest members of the senior Welsh squad too – it was great fun, and seeing what he’s achieved only spurs me on more.”
Tickets for Prizefighter Super-Bantamweights are available now at £35 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
The weigh-in for Prizefighter Super Bantamweights takes place at the Crowne Plaza London Hotel in Shoreditch at 2pm on Friday May 28.
Owen: I will still be unbeaten after Prizefighter
Unbeaten Welshman vows to maintain winning streak at York Hall
Ricky Owen enters Saturday night’s Prizefighter Super Bantamweight event at York Hall, Bethnal Green without a defeat to his name – and the Welshman says that record will stay intact.
The 25 year-old is unbeaten in 11 fights with four wins by knockout, but that record is spread over six years. Owen explained that while injury has played a part, it is tragedy in his personal life that has both stalled his career but also acts as the motivation behind his desire to win Prizefighter.
“My dad passed away last month and my mum a couple of years ago so I really want to do them proud,” said Owen. “Winning Prizefighter means everything, but I also feel that I have nothing to lose. The unbeaten record means a lot and I will keep it going. This is a great opportunity to prove myself after only having two fights in two years and I’m going to take it.”
The Swansea fighter’s eleventh win came at York Hall with a points victory over Aberdeen’s James Ancliff in April 2009, and he returns to the venue in Prizefighter to face Yorkshireman Gavin Reid in the fourth quarter-final of Barry Hearn’s latest eight-man, one night tournament live on Sky Sports – where the winner will pick up a cheque for £32,000.
“Prizefighter needs boxers like me – the format suits me to the ground as I like a bit of a scrap,” said Owen. “I want to get title shots and they are the next steps if I get past this. Win this and I really believe I’m on my way to big things.”
Victory for Owen would set up an all-Welsh second semi-final as Newport’s Robbie Turley faces Welsh Commonwealth gold medallist Jamie Arthur in quarter-final three, and Owen says that he and his fellow countrymen are desperate to follow in the footsteps of Newbridge’s Gavin Rees who won Prizefighter Light Welterweight in December.
“I get great support in Wales who are always behind me and all our fighters so another Welsh Prizefighter winner will be great for the sport back home,” said Owen. “I’d love to have a big title fight in Wales where my supporters can come and if I win Prizefighter, that dream could come true.”
Tickets for Prizefighter Super-Bantamweights are available now at £35 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.