RENDALL THE SPENDER
RENDALL MUNROE has spent £5,000 to make sure it is all right on the biggest night of his boxing life.
The Leicester dustman defends his European super-bantamweight title at Barnsley Metrodome on Friday February 27 when he faces mandatory contender Kiko Martinez in a rematch.
Munroe, 28, won the title when he outpointed the Spaniard (20-1) in a huge upset last March and has made three successful defences.
Southpaw Munroe (17-1) is taking no chances and promoter Frank Maloney said: "I think this camp is costing Rendall a few grand, but this is a tough, tough fight.
"Rendall has forked out a small fortune importing sparring partners from Europe and also brought in Gary Davies who recently beat Martin Powers.
"Gary is ideal sparring. Just like Martinez he carries a heavy dig with the overhand right.
"There is no doubt that this is the most important fight of his life and one he must win to move on to the next level.
"Martinez is world class and if Rendall come through well then there could be a big fight for him in May that will capture the public's imagination."
Maloney managed to get home advantage, but Martinez and his manager Father Ted lookalike, Pat Magee insisted the fight take place outside the East Midlands.
Maloney added: "Even though Barnsley is fair trek from Leicester, plenty of Munroe's fans have bought tickets and he is becoming more and more popular."
In the chief supporting contest Munroe's stable Scott Haywood (19-2) moves into world class when he challenges WBC ranked number three Ajose Olusegun for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title.
Tickets for the show priced £35 and £75 are available from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com
Hot new signing Bradley Evans to make pro debut.
Bradley Evans believes he has made the right decision in turning professional rather than waiting another 4 years for a crack at Olympic glory.
The 2008 featherweight ABA champion from Royston has signed professional terms with Hennessy Sports and has no regrets at not living the Olympic dream. Evans makes his pro debut on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s European Lightweight title defence in Norwich on February 28. Although still only 19 the teenager believes the time is right to switch codes.
“I could have waited for the London Games but so many things can happen,” said Evans. “You could get a bad decision in a qualifier or you could qualify and then pick up an injury just before the Games. It’s too much of a risk and I’d have gone stale waiting until 2012.”
Instead Evans is leaving behind a glittering amateur career that saw him win the Junior ABA’s and Four Nations Gold in 2007 before winning last year’s Senior ABA’s, where he also picked up the best boxer of the night award . “I think my style is a lot more suited to the pro game anyway and I’m really looking forward to getting my career started now.”
Evans will be in the capable hands of leading pro trainer Tony Sims and he says he’s already been put through his paces in the gym. “The training’s definitely a lot harder in the pro’s. It’s a much more physical game and it’s a completely different sport from the amateurs. I’m really enjoying it though and I’ve been sparring seasoned pro’s and champions like Lenny Daws so you can only learn from sharing the ring with guys like him.”
Evans isn’t making any bold predictions about his pro career just yet but is quietly confident about his future. “At the moment I’m happy to take it one fight at a time and work my way up. I think I can go all the way but I know there’s a lot to learn. I’m still young so there’s plenty of time and I know if I put in the hard work the rewards will come in the end.”
Tickets for Evans debut on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s European title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich on the 28th February are available from the Ticketline box office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk .