Scott Quigg Battles Bury City Council To Restore Boxing
By Terence Dooley
Hatton Promotions hopeful Scott Quigg, who impressed when stopping Yuri Voronin in six rounds last time out, has revealed that his toughest opponent may yet turn out to be his local council authority.
Quigg, 21, boxes out off Bury but has been unable to fight in his hometown. The local council ludicrously decided to ban boxing from their borough in the aftermath of Mike Tyson’s big fight cannibalisation of Evander Holyfield back in 1997. Scott told The Mirror’s Derek Allsop that he hopes the decision will be overturned in order to allow him to fight for the British title before his own fans sometime in 2010.
“There's nothing I'd like more than the chance to fight for the British championship in Bury and make everyone in my home town proud. We have a council leisure centre here that would be the ideal venue for a boxing show and it's just 200 yards from the front door of our house,” revealed Quigg, who is 16-0 (10) as a pro.
“I'm sure that the people of the town would turn up to support me. I know I could sell a thousand tickets off my own back. If things keep going well for me I should be in line for a crack at the British title next year and to get it on in Bury would make it perfect - absolutely brilliant.”
Ricky Hatton is throwing his weight behind Scott’s bid. The ‘Hitman’ hopes that the Bury council leaders will come to their senses and allow Quigg to appear before his hometown faithful. Councillor Bob Bibbey, who told The Mirror that he does not support the ban, has resolved to give the issue his personal attention.
“The ban was brought in before I was on the council. I am not in favour of the ban and would be very happy to see a successful boxer like Scott Quigg fight for a title in his hometown. I would certainly be sympathetic to any application to hold a professional boxing match,” bellowed Bibbey, although it is rumoured that a few councilmen are still disturb by Tyson’s 2000 claim that he wants to, “Eat your heart and your children, praise be to Allah”.
Finally, Scott himself tried to throw a touch of commonsense into the proceedings.
“That Tyson fight wasn't good for boxing, but it was a long time ago and things have changed,” implored Quigg.
“I really hope that everyone in the town will see the positive side of our sport.
"Whatever happens, I'm confident I'm on course for the British belt. It would be great to win it anywhere - but better still in Bury.”
Indeed, Quigg looks destined for a long and successful boxing career, the town of Bury should be proud of him and allow him to showcase his trade within the conurbation limits. Boxingscene understands that the council members will sit down and consider this odd piece of legislation at their next meeting, where they will also reconsider the ban on sneezing that was voted in after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
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