FIELDING HOPING FOR FAMILY SUPPORT FROM GERRARD!
 
Boxing fan Steven Gerrard has no excuse for missing Frank Warren's big July 16 show at the Liverpool Echo Arena because cousin Rocky Fielding is on it!
 
The Liverpool skipper is a huge fight fan, and has been present at some recent blockbuster shows.
 
He's good friends with former British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith, as well as former WBU featherweight king Derry Mathews.
 
Now he has family ties to Liverpool's next big boxing hope - super-middleweight Fielding.
 
Rocky won the Prizefighter tournament despite going into it with just three fights under his belt.
 
And he is determined to follow a long line of successful Merseyside super-middleweights with his first fight for promoter Frank Warren at the Liverpool Echo Arena on the undercard of Ricky Burns' WBO super-featherweight title defence against Nicky Cook.
 
In recent years, Tony Dodson, Tony Quigley and Smith have all been near at the top of the domestic division.
 
And with Robin Reid hailing from Runcorn, just a stone's throw away from Liverpool, there is a definite history of super-middleweight stardom.
 
"I'm delighted to have signed a deal with Frank Warren," said Fielding, who is still only 23.
 
"We've had a history of great super-middleweights up here, but I want to be the best of them all.
 
"I've only had half a dozen fights, but I definitely want the British title.
 
"It's the belt that every boxer dreams about holding when they grow up, and I'll be pushing for a title shot.
 
"The Lonsdale belt spent some time on Merseyside what with Smigga and Quigley holding it, and I want to bring it back up here.
 
"I can't wait for July 16 because it's going to be a cracking show.
 
"There's a buzz about boxing up here in the city now with the likes of the Smith brothers, Joe Selkirk, Joe McNally and Paul Butler all doing well, and I definitely want to be part of the scene."

NIGEL WRIGHT v KARL PLACE IN THE WORKS

THROWBACK fighter Nigel Wright could make the next defence of his English light-welterweight championship against unbeaten Manchester hopeful Karl Place.

Promoter Frank Maloney believes the winner would also become mandatory challenger for Ashley Theophane’s British crown.

Co-Durham’s Wright (24-6-1) made an impressive second title defence on Saturday handing out a boxing lesson to previously unbeaten Nicki Smedley in Sheffield.

Maloney said: “I have been lucky enough to work with Nigel during his career and he is like an old school fighter. He was flawless against Smedley.

“He reminds me a lot of former British light-welterweight champion from the 1970s, Joey Singleton.

“They both lose occasionally, but even in defeat rarely put in a bad performance. There are few better professionals in Britain.

“I hope to speak with Nigel’s manager Gus Robinson and seeing if they fancy Place next, and I am hopeful especially if it is a British title eliminator.

“People keep telling me that Karl is a special fighter in the making. We would find out in that  for sure if he fought Nigel. If you beat Nigel you go places, but not many people seem to right now”

Wright has gone close in major title fights against Lenny Daws and world ranked Ajose Olusegun and Maloney added: “Nigel is still only 31 and I would love to get him another big fight.

“He is in the form of his life and it would also be nice for Gus and Nigel’s trainer Peter Cope, who are most probably the easiest people in boxing to deal with.

“Nigel has been loyal to them for a lot of years and that is good to see in an era where so many fighters seem to think the grass is greener on the other side.”

First though Karl must deal with the very tricky Michael Grant on June 11th in Liverpool.

EIGHT STONE PAUL’S MAKING A HEAVYWEIGHT NOISE

LITTLE big man Paul Edwards is out to steal the thunder from his 18 stone mate David Price next week.

The pair share top-billing their hometown at Liverpool Olympia on Saturday June 11 on Frank Maloney’s latest blockbuster show.

Olympic bronze medallist Price (10-0) faces John McDermott (26-7) in a fascinating British heavyweight title eliminator.

British flyweight champion Paul Edwards (8-0) makes his first title defence against Commonwealth king Chris Edwards (15-14-3).

Edwards won the title when he stopped Shinny Bayaar on a first round cuts stoppage last December and said: “To defend the British title in Liverpool is a dream come true.

“It is brilliant to be fighting on the same bill as Pricey, and hopefully we will make it a special night for Liverpool boxing.”

By the end of this year Maloney expects Edwards to be challenging for European honours and the 2005 ABA title is convinced he’ll become ‘Lord of the Flys’ as a professional.

Edwards, 24, said: “I see a European title down the line, but I need a bit more experience.

“I have never done more than six rounds. If I can get in a couple of 12rounders, I will fight for it.”

Maloney added: “Apart from heavyweight boxing, the flyweights have always been my favourite division

"It is fantastic that the division is coming alive in Britain again and I believe Paul can be the flag bearer.

Other fighters on the talent stacked card include Derry Mathews (27-5) who boxes George Watson (8-4-2), Karl Place  (13-0) who comes up  against Chad Gaynor (5-0), Rick Godding (13-0), John Quigley (2-0), Liam Vaughan (2-0), Ryan Farrag (3-0) and Anthony Smith.

The show will be televised live by Sky Sports.