NIGEL WRIGHT WILL BE GOING FOR GOLD WHEN HE FIGHTS FOR THE ENGLISH LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT TITLE.
Too often in the last few years, Wright has been forced to settle for ’silver medals’, losing to British and Commonwealth champion Ajose Olusegun (twice) and European champ Paul McCloskey.
Now the Gus Robinson star has the opportunity to get gold when he goes toe to toe with Dean Harrison for the English belt.
Harrison is confident. Very confident in fact. He’s fresh from a training camp in Ireland where he and stablemate Matthew Hatton were preparing for their title fights.
The 26-year-old from Wolverhampton has witnessed Hatton triumph in his European championship bout last weekend and he feels he will be “too young and too fresh” for Wright.
It is not a view which Nigel subscribes to.
“I feel fantastic,” said the 31-year-old.
“I feel I’m an all round better fighter now and there’s a good few years left in Nigel Wright.
“I’ve had to take the knocks in the last couple of years and I’ve may be felt sorry for myself in the past.
“But that is in the past. I’ve knuckled down and worked hard.
“I’m fitter and stronger than ever before and I’m confident I’ll get the win.”
Not that Nigel is being complacent.
He’s watched Harrison box before and rates him as a tough opponent.
“Dean is quite a good fighter – he’ll be fit and strong. I watched him challenge for the English title before and I thought he beat Scott Haywood, but he didn’t get the decision.”
Wright will start as favourite though.
Coach Peter Cope has been impressed with Nigel in the build up.
“Nigel has looked brilliant in training and I’ve seen a massive improvement in him, but now it is up to him to put all that into the ring,” said Cope.
“It’s a huge fight – a career-defining fight in fact.
“He does deserve another chance at the British title but he’s got to win this one first.”
Howard Foster will referee the contest with Richie Davies, Mark Green and Dave Parris the judges at ringside.
Tickets for the show are available at the door at Rainton Meadows Arena on the night.
