David is out for Revenge on
Prizefighter Card
June 25, 2010 Huge photo
(JUNE 25) Paul David got the draw he
wanted for Prizefighter Super Middleweights on June 30 at York Hall,
Bethnal Green live on Sky Sports, taking on Tony Salam and earning the
chance to avenge a defeat inflicted over three years ago.
The Sheffield-based Northampton fighter took on Salam in January 2007 in
Essex in just his second professional fight and lost to the Stoke
Newington southpaw on points. The pair will lock horns in the latest of
Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournaments and David’s trainer
Dominic Ingle says his charge is delighted with the chance to gain
revenge en route to claiming the £32,000 winner’s cheque.
“It was a close fight (against Salam) and to be honest Paul could've won
it, he just got caught well with one that won Tony the fight but other
than that I thought Paul was on top of him, so he's relishing the return
match,” said Ingle.
David and Salam tangle in the fourth quarter-final of the night and
would face the winner of the third bout of the evening between unbeaten
Welshman Jeff Evans and Sheffield’s Peter Fedorenko, who David has
recently sparred with.
“I think who wins that fight gets a place in the final,” said Ingle.
“It's a good first fight for Paul because he'll be fresh and he's
confident that he can beat tony. He's sparred well, he's in great shape
and he wants revenge over Tony so he's totally focused.
“Fedorenko is a tough guy although he hasn't been very active recently
of course, while you can't say much about Evans' record as he's only
fought three times but the Welsh lads are tough fighters and anyone who
is trained by Gary Lockett is going to be good and tough even when they
are raw. Either guy would be a hard fight for Peter but I think his
experience would get him past whoever he faces.”
The opening fight of the evening pits 19 year-old Patrick Mendy against
Dudley’s Sam Horton, the 24 year-old who recently fought James DeGale at
Upton Park. Horton’s trainer Errol Johnson believes his fighter has a
great draw, facing the winner of the second quarter-final between Daniel
Cadman and Eddie McIntosh.
“I think he's got the best half of the draw if he can get past Mendy of
course,” said Johnson. He is obviously a very tough kid, but if Sam can
stick to his boxing over the three rounds he's got a great chance of
getting through to the final.”
“He’s so relaxed about Prizefighter that I thought he was nearly asleep
the other day in the gym to be honest!” said Johnson. “He doesn't look
at all worried or phased at all and he's training very well.”
While the eight contenders and two reserve fighters are totally focused
on a potentially life-changing night of boxing at York Hall on
Wednesday, both trainers admitted they will be putting down the pads at
3pm on Sunday to watch England take on Germany in the World Cup.
“He can watch the game as long as he doesn't do anything silly,” Johnson
said of big Birmingham City fan Horton.
“Paul doesn’t doesn't drink anyway so he can watch the England game, no
problem,” said Ingle. “Nothing will get in his way before Prizefighter,
he loves boxing, he's sparred all over the world against the likes of
Silvio Branco and Robert Stieglitz – these are great fighters who have
fought for world titles. Salam hasn't been the same fighter since he got
knocked out by Courtney Fry and his last two opponents have been a bit
of a soft touch, so he's up against it fighting Paul as he wants revenge
and he wants the £32,000 for winning Prizefighter.”
THE DRAW
Quarter-final one – Patrick Mendy v Sam Horton (large
Photo)
Quarter-final two – Daniel Cadman v Eddie McIntosh
Quarter-final three – Jeff Evans v Peter Fedorenko
Quarter-final four – Tony Salam v Paul David
Tickets for Prizefighter Super Middleweights are available now at £35
(unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on
01277 359900.
