By Terence Dooley
Chelmsford-based prospect Tom McGinley (5-1, 1 KO) goes for his first proper professional title when he meets Bristol's Duane Winters (10-1, no stoppages) for the Southern Area Super bantamweight title on September 22.
Aand the 31-year-old will have dual task of winning the belt as well as avenging Martin Hillman’s loss to Winters, a 10-round decision reverse in July.
Both McGinley and former foe Hillman, who he beat over six-threes in February, are now trained by Russ Smith at the Champions Gym, and McGinley believes he will bring Winters’s scalp back to the gym as well the belt despite being the away fighter.
The two men meet at the UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre in Bristol, McGinley has told the Essex Chronicle that he is confident of victory.
“Sets it up for a good fight doesn't it because we've both beat Hillman and he [Winters] didn't want to fight me in the first place,” he said. “I like the thought of it being in his home town and I like the hostility of the crowd from the away corner.”
He added: “I always said if I got to a level where I could challenge for this title then I've achieved what I set out to in boxing, but now I'm even looking past this for more. If I can get this belt then look to the next chapter, I'm 31 now so haven't got years and years left, so I aim to push myself to the limit. This fight is huge for me, I mean huge. I'll be giving the next seven weeks preparation everything I have, and I'll be bringing that belt back to Essex with me.”
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