One of the most underrated boxers in the lower weight divisions, Ian Bailey, believes that this coming weekend he’ll finally get the opportunity to show boxing fans ‘what he’s made of’, when he takes part in the hugely popular Matchroom Sport promoted Prizefighter series, which showcases the Featherweight division for the first time, at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday, 29th October.
Since turning pro three years ago 27 year old Bailey has earned a reputation of willingness to fight anyone, no matter how short the notice, and as such has fought some of the divisions biggest names, such as British and Commonwealth Champ Lee Selby, Scottish Area Champ Kris Matthew Hughes, English Champ Ryan Walsh, Commonwealth Champ Carl Frampton, Kid Galahad and Michael Walsh.
It’s this experience, aswell as his total willingness to face ‘all comers’, that is likely to stand Bailey in good stead in this edition of Prizefighter, as mixing it up with the likes of two time World Champ Choi Tseveenpurev, Irish Champ Mickey Coveney, the undefeated pairing of Lee Glover and Troy James, or come to that experienced fighters like Rhys Roberts and Lee Jennings, is unlikely to faze him one iota.
Following a tough sparring session with Ben Murphy, at the TRAD TKO gym in Canning Town, Bailey spoke briefly on his upcoming appearance, “I was delighted when Johnny (Eames) told me. It’s a really good opportunity for me , it’s a fair crack at a leading competition so hopefully I can prove how good I am.
I’m not worried about it being televised at all, I’ve had a couple of my bouts shown on telly before. I think I’ve had one win on telly and two losses, but they’ve normally been short notice jobs.
The Boxing public have not got to see me at my best, I mean the Prizefighter is something I have had time to prepare for, unlike those fights, so they’re going to see me at my best, that’s important to me.
I need to get the first fight out of the way and then I’ll win it, it’s a mental thing I need to stay cool and calm, it doesn’t matter who I get in the first fight as long as I can stay relaxed, which I’m gonna do, win the first fight then I can win the whole thing. ”
Bailey then turned his attention to his TRAD TKO team mate ‘Saint’ George Jupp, who will also be taking part in the tournament, “I have mixed feelings about George also being on the show, I mean I’ve sparred god knows how many rounds with George, right since I turned professional three, three and half years ago, so obviously I know him inside and out, but he can say the same about me.
It would be a shame if we met each other early on in the competition, ideally it would be great to fight each other in the final, doubt that’s gonna happen though. We’ll probably end up getting drawn first.
He knows me as well as I know him so if we fought each other it would be a good fight for the crowd, but wouldn’t be great for us, or the TRAD TKO gym, but we’ll get the job done and then shake hands afterwards.”
Prizefighter – Featherweights takes place at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th October 2011 and will also be broadcast live on Skysports.
Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £60 (ringside), for Prizefighter – Featherweights are available now, either on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA – for further information call 07960 850645.
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