Thomas Stalker: I'm Lucky To Still Have Frank Warren Contract

By Elliot Foster

Thomas Stalker has admitted that he is lucky to be fighting this weekend.

The 31-year-old Liverpool lightweight challenges for the vacant WBO European crown at the ECHO Arena in the city, exclusively live on BoxNation.

Stalker (10-1-3, 2 KOs) has fought for the aforementioned title three times before (0-1-2) and will hoping that it’s fourth time lucky when he takes on Antonio Joao Bento, 39, over 10 rounds on Saturday (June 4), as part of the undercard to Liam Smith’s WBO super-welterweight title defence against Predrag Radosevic.

But the former Team GB Olympic captain, who has been out of action since last December when he drew with Craig Evans for a second time, has said that he is thankful to those around him for giving him another chance.

“I’m lucky to have a contract,” Stalker told Boxing Scene. “Last year, I had three draws and a win.

“Anyone else [with that record over a 12-month period] wouldn’t have a contract, but I’ve got to thank [promoter] Frank [Warren] and my manager Daniel [Kinahan] of MGM Marbella for standing by me.

“Hopefully, [at the] fourth time [of asking], I win this belt and firstly enjoy winning my first belt and then there are some big fights for me that are being lined up in Britain.”

Stalker’s clash with Bento is flanked by Paul Butler’s clash against Petchbarngborn Kokietgym in a defence of the WBO International super-flyweight title which doubles up as a final eliminator for the world title.

Elsewhere, Ryan Farrag defends his European bantamweight bauble against Karim Guerfi and Kevin Satchell returns.

Meanwhile, Zolani Tete will defend the IBF International bantamweight title against Victor Ruiz of Mexico, Declan Geraghty is set for action for the second time in four weeks and undefeated super-lightweight Josh Leather (9-0, 3 KOs) features, while there are spots on the bill for Steven Lewis and British and Commonwealth super-welterweight champ Liam Williams, who fights over eight rounds.