Nigel Wright, the Crook professional light welterweight boxer, knows he faces a tough task when he meets Francis Barrett, an Irish gypsy, on Saturday, May 25 at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth.
And Nigel said: "Barrett was a good amateur and went to the 1996 Olympic games, featuring on a Channel 4 documentary shortly after the games. "He was Irish champion for two years so I know I'll have to be at my best to beat him."
Wright, rated 22 in the British light welterweight division, steps up to six rounds for the first time in what will be his sixth professional fight. Barrett is rated 18 in the light welterweight division and reputedly has been sparring with Eamonn McGhee who is rated in the top three in the division and fights Ricky Hatton in June.
Wright has stepped up his training and he said: "I'm going six rounds now so I've been running an extra ten miles a week and I've also been doing more work in the gym.
"I expect Barrett to try to rough me up but I will use my boxing skills and keep him at arm's length. I'll go for points early on."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article