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Posts Tagged ‘Matchroom Sports’

By Rio

London - Thursday, 2nd June 2011

Colin Lynes Draws Gym Mate Bobby Gladman For Prizefighter Quarter Final

An unexpected twist at the Prizefighter - Welterweights II draw sees TKO Boxing Gym mates Colin Lynes and Bobby Gladman meeting in the quarter final of the Matchroom Sports promoted Prizefighter - Welterweights II, that takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Tuesday, 7th June 2011.

The full line for the quarter finals of Prizefighter - Welterweights II are:

Junior Witter Vs. Nathan Graham

Kevin McIntyre Vs. John Wayne Hibbert

Colin Lynes Vs. Bobby Gladman

Yassine El Maachi Vs. Peter McDonagh

Following the draw for the Prizefighter season finale, which was held at the Skysports studio, former IBO Light Welterweight Champion of the World Colin Lynes spoke briefly on the prospect of facing gym mate Gladman on Tuesday, “I was up for anyone that got drawn out and it so happens that our own gym mate got pulled out, Bobby Gladman, but on the night we’ll get down to business and both give our all.

I know I’m certainly going to be in there to win it, so yeah looking forward to it.”

Lynes then went on to speak further about the Prizefighter - Welterweights II, “Once you get through the first round you’re going to face any of the top names, because it’s been seeded, I’m ready for whoever it might be Yassine El Maachi, Kevin McIntyre or Junior Witter who are also seeded.

Saying that Peter McDonagh always comes to fight, puts on a good show and he’s used to this format. I know he was a substitute but he’s used to the setup so it could be a surprise there, we’ll have to wait and see.

My being in Prizefighter before is going to be an advantage, but it’s such a quick series of fights and you have to work hard in each round of every fight that experience isn’t going to play a big factor but it’s certainly an advantage.

We’re third on so you don’t get much of a turn around before your back in there so again we’ve covered that in training. I’ve sparred and had a lesser rest and gone back in there and I’ve sparred and had a bigger rest. My body is geared up for whatever they throw at me.

I’m confident, Colin Lynes in the final and Colin Lynes winning Prizefighter.”

Prizefighter - Welterweights II, featuring Colin Lynes, Junior Witter, Kevin McIntyre, Yassine El Maachi, John Wayne Hibbert, Bobby Gladman, Nathan Graham and Peter McDonagh, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.

Tickets, priced £35 (Unreserved), SOLD OUT (Ringside), and SOLD OUT (VIP) are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or call 07960 850645

PHOTOS

Colin Lynes proudly shows his IBO World & European title belts

PHOTO CREDIT

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

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By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Interview - Yassine El Maachi Talks Prizefighter

On Tuesday 7th June the season finale of the highly successful Matchroom Sports promoted Prizefighter series takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

Matchroom Sports have really pulled all the stops out for the season finale with Prizefighter - Welterweight II. The lineup features no less than two former World Champions, Junior Witter and Colin Lynes, a former British Champion, Kevin McIntyre, the current International Masters Champion Yassine El Maachi, a former International and European title challenger, Peter McDonagh, an International Masters challenger, Nathan Graham and two undefeated young prospects, Bobby Gladman and John Wayne Hibbert.

Over the past week or so I have been fortunate to have interviewed Colin Lynes, John Wayne Hibbert and Bobby Gladman, as well as the legendary coach Jimmy Tibbs, who trains Colin Lynes.

Today I managed to catch up with one of the most exciting young fighters taking part in Prizefighter - Welterweights II, Yassine El Maachi.

I’ve seen Yassine fight twice now, and have to admit to being a huge fan. He’s highly entertaining switch hitter that oozes supreme style and panache.

I honestly believe that the TV exposure from Prizefighter could sky rocket Yassine’s career. He’s someone that will excite the fans, in the same way as Prince Naseem did at the turn of the new millennium.

OK, enough of my hyping Yassine, he really doesn’t need me for that, he is more than capable of doing that himself. So without further ado here is a little Q&A with Yassine El Maachi

Rio- You’ve often stated that you have wanted to take part in Prizefighter - Why have you tried so hard to take part in the series?

Yassine - I was waiting to get into Prizefighter for a couple of years now and now they have given me the chance to be in Prizefighter Welter.

I want to be on it to show the people I can do and to prove myself to see how capable to go against the big names taking part.

Rio- What do you think of the Prizefighter series?

Yassine - It has the best fighters in the country, being in there is great. It’s full of former champions. To fight them for thirty two thousand pounds.

For me Prizefighter is geared for people to see eight fighters fight on one night. The winner has to fight three fights, that’s the best thing for me.

A title shot, that’s what I want to be honest with you. That’s what I’m doing it for, I’m in it just for that, to see if I can get a title after that. To beat these guys in Prizefighter is what I want.

For me to just beat these guys to get to a title I’d fight them all at the same time, I would fight seven fighters in one go, I don’t want to fight three of them I want to fight them all in one go.

Rio - OK, interesting idea. Now onto the fighters you may face on the night - give me your thoughts on Junior Witter.

Yassine - Junior is a lovely guy, he can box, he can move. He’s one of the great boxers in the World. He used to be a former WBC, I think, or WBA (ed. WBC) Champion of the World. In 2008 or 2009 he lost it and he want to get it back.

I feel really sorry for him if him and me are going to fight together. I will feel really sorry for him if we meet in the final because he’s only going to make a little bit of money, £16,000, because he’s going to lose to me, because I’m too good.

Rio- If you don’t get Junior you could meet another former World Champion, Colin Lynes, what’s your thoughts on him?

Yassine - Colin Lynes, he got beaten up by Junior Witter. Simple as that, no more to say.

Rio- Next up is British Champ Kevin McIntyre, give us your thoughts on Kevin.

Yassine - To be honest I don’t know who is Kevin McIntyre, but probably he’s going to be the same as other boxers, hands up and comes and box. I love to fight people like that.

Rio- OK, the former WBF Intercontinental and European title challenger Peter McDonagh’s next, what’s your thoughts on him?

Yassine - I don’t know him as well, but he will be the same to be honest with you. Hands up, come forward. I’ll pick him off with punches and tell him goodbye.

Rio - Bobby Gladman’s next on my list. What do you know of Bobby?

Yassine - Bobby Gladman is undefeated, he’s got one draw. He’s a good prospect coming up. It’s too early for him to be in Prizefighter.

Rio- I’m sure you know John Wayne Hibbert as you’ve fought on the same show before, so what’s your thoughts on him?

Yassine - John Wayne Hibbert is a nice guy, he’s undefeated but he’s not going to win if he comes up against me.

Rio - Finally an old gym mate of yours is next - Nathan Graham, give me your thoughts on him?

Yassine - Nathan Graham he’s a nice, good fella. We used to train at the same gym. I wish not to get a draw with him in the first fight, or in the second. If it going to go then go in the final. But if he does I can’t do much I’ll just have to beat him.

Rio- Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, finally is there any thing else you would like to say?

Yassine - It’s going to be hard for any of the fighters, I feel sorry for the undefeated fighters especially. I wish them all luck but if they fight me they will lose.

I mean the fight with Jimmy Colas, number four in Europe, he was looking to fight against Ryan Rhodes. He was going to fight against the best, he’s former WBC or WBO champion, European Champion. He’s the guy that had twenty eight wins and only three or four losses, and I beat him so easily.

I was picking him off so easy. He was coming to fight. That’s why I say to you I’m a fighter, I’m a boxer. If they don’t want to come and fight I’ll box them, that’s me.

That’s what happened with Jimmy Colas, he came to fight but he found a different type of boxer. I was just playing with him. Everyone see what I did to him in the eight, nine and ten round, I was just playing with him.

I was so much winning the fight, winning the first round to the six round and he just start running away. In the round eight , nine and ten I thought I could easily knock him out, I tried but couldn’t because he was tough, he was strong, but I beat him up badly.

That’s what I will do at Prizefighter, but three times. I’ll beat three fighters.

I wish every fighter good luck, but I will win the Prizefighter.

Prizefighter - Welterweights II, featuring Yassine El Maachi, Colin Lynes, Junior Witter, Kevin McIntyre, John Wayne Hibbert, Bobby Gladman, Nathan Graham and Peter McDonagh, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.

Tickets, priced £35 (Unreserved), SOLD OUT (Ringside), and SOLD OUT (VIP) are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or call 07960 850645

PHOTO: Yassine El maachi supremely confident of winning Prizefighter - Welterweights II

PHOTO CREDIT: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

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By Rio

London - Tuesday, 24th May 2011

Yassine El Maachi - Watch Me, I’m Going To Be So Good In Prizefighter

 

For the past year or so International Masters Light Middleweight Champion Yassine El Maachi has stated his dream is to compete in the top rated Matchroom Sports promoted Prizefighter series.

El Maachi, and his promoter Steve Goodwin, believe the tournament format would be the perfect platform to showcase El Maachi, and his sensational all action fighting style, as he strives to break into the lucrative World Championship circuit.

 

It now seems that El Maachi gets his wish, as he was recently named as one of the eight contestants for the Sky Sports televised Prizefighter - Welterweights II, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.

El Maachi, who is currently ranked #46 in the World, joins a star studded line up that includes former WBC World Light Welterweight Champion Junior Witter, former IBO World Light Welterweight Champion Colin Lynes, former British Welterweight Champion Kevin McIntyre, former Southern Area Light Welterweight Champion and WBF International title challenger Peter McDonagh, former International Masters Welterweight Challenger Nathan Graham as well as unbeaten young prospects John Wayne Hibbert and Bobby Gladman.

Earlier today El Maachi spoke briefly of his upcoming appearance on Prizefighter - Welterweights II, “I would love to get Junior Witter the first fight, Colin Lynes the second fight then the third fight would be nice and easy for me. That’s my plan, me and my trainer Don Charles and Kevin Murray, that’s what we are trying to do.

Hopefully if it goes like this I would love to but it doesn’t matter which way the draw goes I’m ready for it. I’m coming there with two hands, two legs and like a Tiger, or more like a Cheetah as I’m so fast, good things, oh God watch me, I’m going to be so good in the Prizefighter.”

Prizefighter - Welterweights II, featuring Yassine El Maachi, Colin Lynes, Junior Witter, Kevin McIntyre, John Wayne Hibbert, Bobby Gladman, Nathan Graham and Peter McDonagh, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.

Tickets, priced £35 (Unreserved), £60 (Ringside), and £100 (VIP) are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or call 07960 850645

 

 

 

PHOTOS

Yassine El Maachi in full flow against Jimmy Colas at York Hall in London

PHOTO CREDIT

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

London, UK & Philadelphia, USA

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Interview: Bobby Gladman Talks About His Upcoming Appearance in Prizefighter

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

On paper the upcoming Prizefighter - Welterweights II looks set to propel either former WBC World Light Welterweight Champion Junior Witter or former IBO World Light Welterweight Champion Colin Lynes back onto the World stage - although saying that with eleven out of his twelve previous outings being championship bouts, including having fought Victor Puiu for the WBC International Silver Welterweight title in February this year, Junior Witter is well and truly a current big player on the Championship circuit.

However, the excellent Matchroom Sports promoted series also has a habit of creating new stars, with the winner often gaining a title shot within a short while of lifting the coveted trophy. A prime example of this is the recent British Light Middleweight title fight between Sam Webb and former Prizefighter winner Prince Arron.

Prior to winning Prizefighter the nearest Prince Arron got to a title shot was to compete for, and win, the British Masters Middleweight title. But his sensational victories over George Hillyard, Bradley Pryce and Brett Flournoy at Prizefighter - Light Middleweights, in February ‘10, see him earn a shot at Sam Webb’s crown - oh and of course Prince Arron win in spectacular style.

Come June 7th, we could well see another lesser known fighter upset the apple cart and lift the trophy, as well as rocket up the rankings to earn a future title shot.

There are a few candidates for this role, Yassine El Maachi, John Wayne Hibbert, Peter McDonagh, Nathan Graham and Bobby Gladman. - I know I didn’t mention Kevin McIntyre but as a former British Champion I place him right up there with Junior Witter and Colin Lynes.

Anyway, back to where I was. What potentially makes Prizefighter - Welterweights II the best of the series yet is that each of those named has the potential, and more importantly the experience, to cause a massive upset, even bigger than Prince Arron’s victory in the Light Middleweights.

Late last week I caught up with one of these potential upset merchants, Cheshunt’s unbeaten Bobby Gladman, at his training camp at the TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town.

Before I get onto the interview here is a brief boxing bio on Bobby.

Bobby turned pro just over two years ago, in April ‘09, and gained his first win at the expense of Birmingham journeyman Karl ‘Plug’ Taylor by a shut out 60-54 points margin.

Just under two months later Bobby took on William Warburton at York Hall. A cracking close battle ensued, Bobby was well and truly tested throughout but came through with flying colours to secure his second win by a close 39-38 points margin.

The start of the new season see Bobby back in action against super tough Kristian Laight. After another hard battle Bobby secured his third win by a 40-37 points margin.

In November Bobby traveled to the Troxy in Limehouse, where another war ensued - this time against Barnstaple’s Jimmy Briggs - and another points victory.

Bobby’s final fight of ‘09 see him take on Birmingham’s Andrew ‘Paddy’ Patterson at the Colosseum in Watford. After six hard fought rounds referee Dave Parris scored the bout 59-56 in favour of Bobby.

It wasn’t until June ‘10 that Bobby got some ring action. St Albans’ unbeaten Danny ‘The Devil’ Murphy made the short trip to Bobby’s home town of Cheshunt and gave him another serious test. Once again Bobby came through a six round war to secure the win by a close 58-57 margin.

A full six months later Bobby rounded of the year against Tooting based Bulgarian Danny Dontchev at the excellent ‘Judgement Day’ event at York Hall, an event I covered - my report read:

‘The opening fight of Judgement Day was Light Middleweight contest between Bobby Gladman and Danny Dontchev. Gladman showed some serious class to keep the lively Dontchev under control, after a close first round Gladman found his range and totally dominated the middle two rounds. Dontchev came on hard again in the final round and although enjoyed some success Gladman landed the more meaningful shots to secure a tidy 39-37 points victory.’

Bobby’s last fight, against Matt Scriven, featured at the ‘Return of the Mac’ event, in Newmarket on the 30th April, which I also covered - below is my report.

‘On paper this looked a no brainer as Scriven’s record shows his last win was twenty fights ago. Saying that Scriven is known as a tough battler who always comes to fight.

There wasn’t that much action in the first round as both the protagonists seemed to be feeling the other. The second round on the other hand was a totally different affair.

From the opening bell Scriven went on the attack, forcing Gladman to utilise his jab in an effort to thwart ‘The Scrivs’ many forceful forays.

Round three see a total turn around, instead of just using his jab Gladman started to counter with heavy hands each time Scriven let rip. In the first minute Gladman let rip with a big right hand that clearly shook his opponent. However Scriven seemed undaunted by this and just stepped up the pace. Another close round, one I felt Gladman had done just enough to win.

The final round was another punch fest, Scriven did the more work, whilst the clearly tiring Gladman landed the more telling shots. At the end of the bout I feel referee Mark Green was one hundred percent correct declaring the bout a draw.’

So there we have it, Bobby’s fight record to date, so now to the interview.

Rio - Thank you for talking with me today, please tell the readers your thoughts on the Prizefighter series

Bobby - Well, it’s a jumping stone, it’s a good little competition. If you win it you’re up there aren’t you. It’s a good thing, it’s on Sky live.

Rio - OK, we’ll move on to the fighters now - first up give us your thoughts on Junior Witter.

Bobby - Yeah I know about Junior Witter, he’s been about. I think he’s past his sell by date but we’ll see on the night.

Rio- Next up is former IBO World Champion Colin Lynes, who also trains here at the TKO Gym.

Bobby - I’ve watched the videos of Colin Lynes, don’t know too much about him. He’s a twelve round fighter, very fit. We’ll see what he’s got on the night.

Yeah he does train here, not at the same time though. We’ve got different trainers.

Rio - Another former Champ is next, Kevin McIntyre

Bobby - He’s southpaw, Scottish, been about. He’s 33 years old. I’ve watched videos of him to see what he’s about and that. Nothing special about him.

Rio - OK, next in line is current International Masters Champion Yassine El Maachi

Bobby - Don’t really know anything about Yassine El Maachi, except that he throws a lot of punches. Another southpaw, strong, keeps coming forward. We’ll see what he’s got on the night.

Rio - Next up is John Wayne Hibbert

Bobby - I’ve watched John Wayne Hibbert box in the amateurs, so I know quite a bit about John. He’s not a bad little boxer, moves well, but we’ll see what he’s got on the night.

Rio- OK, next on my list is Peter McDonagh

Bobby - Peter McDonagh, right. An Irish warrior, as they say. That’s all I can say about him really, there’s nothing too special about him. He comes forward and he’s got a good heart, that’s about it.

Rio - the final one is Nathan Graham

Bobby - I know nothing about Nathan Graham, never heard of him, never seen him. I’ll have to look him up on YouTube and see what he’s about. Other than that we’ll have to see what he’s got on the night.

Rio- What type of training are you doing to prepare for Prizefighter?

Bobby - I do pads with Johnny Eames, started sparring now, do a circuit with Barry (co-trainer Barry Smith) or do a circuit with Johnny, depending on what time I get in. Training’s going all right at the moment.

Rio - You said you just started sparring, who have you been sparring for this?

Bobby - I’ve sparred with a geezer called Sam (Sam Standing), Daryl (Daryl Setterfield) and today with an amateur southpaw called Faheem. It good sparring.

Rio- Due to the format of Prizefighter - 3 rounds, then if you win a short rest, then the next three rounder etc. How do you think this is going to affect you?

Bobby - After doing the first three rounds I think I can recover quick enough to do the next three rounds and then easily recover again to do another three. It’s all about the recovery time really. That’s what I have been working on. It’s just like the amateurs really.

I wasn’t a bad amateur so we’ll see what happens on the night, see who turns up.

Rio - If you win the tournament that could lead to a title shot, which seems to be standard with Prizefighter these days - how does that motivate you?

Bobby - Yeah, I’m in it to win it, I’m not in it to be a loser. That title shot, Lee Purdy - I don’t think he’s all that, but he’s the Champion so he’s the one I’ve got to go to if I want to be the Champion. There’s quite a few good people in Welterweight at the moment, it’s looking lively.

Rio - finally is there anything you would like to say to the fans?

Bobby - Yeah, get down and watch it, it should be a good night. Loads of action and the winner at the end of it being me.

Prizefighter - Welterweights II, featuring Bobby Gladman, Colin Lynes, Junior Witter, Yassine El Maachi, Kevin McIntyre, John Wayne Hibbert, Nathan Graham and Peter McDonagh, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.

Tickets, priced £35 (Unreserved), £60 (Ringside), and £100 (VIP) are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or call 07960 850645

PHOTO CREDIT: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

 

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Recently I undertook an interview with former IBO Light welterweight World Champion Colin Lynes on his career to date. With the news that Colin is to take part in the Matchroom Sports excellent Prizefighter - Welterweights II on June 7th I took the opportunity to catch up with Colin again, this time to get his views on Prizefighter, as well as his opponents on June 7th.

Colin, a former finalist of Prizefighter, faced Gavin Rees in the final of the Light Welterweights tournament at Olympia last year.

Prior to meeting Rees in the final Colin first faced David Barnes in the quarter final. After three hotly contested, very close, rounds the judges were split. Two of the judges see it 29-28 for Colin, the third judge also scored it 29-28 but this time in favour of Barnes.

The semi final see Colin come face to face with former foe Young Mutley, who Colin had previously beaten for the European title in 2007. Again Colin would win by split decision, the fight was close throughout but a defining third round knockdown was enough to sway two of the judges to score the bout in Colin’s favour.

The final, against Rees, was a hard fought affair. Colin easily secured the first round with some excellent counter punching. Rees stepped up the pressure in the second and rocked Colin several times on his way to securing the round. With both fighters scoring a round a piece it was all to play for in the final round.

I was ringside on the night and scored the final round even, as did all press corps, and with each winning a round apiece I wondered how they would decide on a winner. Imagine my surprise when the scorecards were read out as 29-28 twice, Ian John-Lewis and Victor Loughlin, and 30-27, Mark Green, all in favour of Gavin Rees.

That’s all water under the bridge now as far as Colin is concerned, as he is back in training with legendary trainer Jimmy Tibbs and his son Mark at the TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town to prepare for Prizefighter - Welterweights II.

It was at the TKO that I caught up with Colin, after yet another sparring session, for a quick chat about the Prizefighter series, as well as to get his thoughts on the other contestants on June 7th.

Rio- Hi Colin thanks taking the time to talk about the upcoming Prizefighter - Welterweights II that you will be taking part in. Please tell the readers your thoughts on the competition.

Colin - Yeah I’m really pleased, it’s a buzzing competition that everyone seems to want to go for. it’s thrilling for the fans, it gets everyone that wouldn’t normally get together get together and have a punch up on the night.

Even the likes of myself, I liked to be classed as a skillful boxer, on the night not just the once you have to prepare for going in the trenches a lot sooner than you would have to in a twelve round fight.

Rio- You’ve been in Prizefighter before, you made the finals of the Light Welters against Gavin Rees. How do you prepare for such a quick paced tournament?

Colin - Lots of stop and start training, you do your three shadow or your three bags or sparring and then you have a little rest and go back in. Sometimes it’s a ten minute rest sometimes it’s only five minutes.

In the Prizefighter last time it’s a good job I did prepare that way for it, because I think it was the quickest anyone had to get back in the ring. After winning the semifinal it was about two and half minutes before I had to get back in for the final.

So, it’s right to prepare, and that’s what I did. I’m ready for whatever they throw at me.

Rio- Let’s talk a little about your opponents on the night, Let’s start with Junior Witter.

Colin - When I fought Junior last I was a bit too much in awe of him. I worked well, I didn’t get outclassed or outgunned in any way but those rounds where the judges just didn’t know who they should give it to they rightly give it to the champion, so that’s what happened in that fight.

If I end up facing Junior again, no doubt he’s not worried about anyone. He’ll respect everyone in that lineup, he’s not going to be worried about anyone, he’s been there and done it twice over and he’s looking to make a name for himself again.

Because of whatever reason I haven’t spoke with him, I will do in the build up to this fight, something went wrong for him in Canada and people have slagged him off, give someone a chance, there’s probably reasons.

I’m not one and I’m looking forward to fighting Junior at his best.

Rio- Bobby Gladman also trains at the TKO Gym, what do you know about him?

Colin - I don’t know too much about Bobby, whether it’s because we miss each other, I train evenings he trains in the daytime so I don’t see too much of him, but I respect anyone that’s in there. I would never overlook anyone, I’d probably be more worried about those who know about me and I don’t know about them. I’ll have to do my homework on him to be honest.

Rio- Fair comment, we’ll move on now to Yassine El Maachi

Colin - I haven’t seen too much of Yassine, but I’ve heard a lot about him. I know I’ve seen him spar at the gym against Michael Lomax once.

He’s a tricky customer, switches and all this. With people like Yassine if you let them do what they are best at doing then he’s going to look great. If you take them out of their comfort zone or you put it on them and don’t give them a chance to do flash stuff then we’ll see what he’s got.

Rio- True, OK Nathan Graham, what do you know of him?

Colin - Nathan Graham, I was supposed to face him a few fights ago, but then I had the Bradley Pryce turnout, so I took the Bradley Pryce fight.

He’s had a fight since we were supposed to get it on, he came out the wrong side, I understand by reading the reports he done really well and he’s a danger man and a big banger no doubt.

Rio- Yeah, I was there at that fight. Next up is Kevin McIntyre

Colin - I’ve got a lot of respect for Kevin, I’ve know him, he’s been around a long time I think he was hard done when he had to vacate his British title. he got his shot back in the end but I don’t think it was at a time when he was expecting it and he got out of there pretty early. He’s come back and proved himself, shown his character and he’ll be up for this big time.

Rio - John Wayne Hibbert, what’s your thoughts on him?

Colin - Yeah, again John’s been around a while. I haven’t seen too much of him but I know people that have sparred him. He’s a tough customer, again rightly so he’s due every respect.

Rio- Peter McDonagh’s next on the list.

Colin, Yeah I know Peter really well, we’ve sparred many, many rounds before he’s always come by our gym and done us favours, we’ve returned favours and helped him out when he’s had big fights. So I know Peter really well.

Again a good tough pro, will always turn up, always gives lots of respect and he’ll be another stiff customer on the night.

Rio- You’re obviously looking to get through to the final again, this time go one better.

Colin - Obviously in my final last time I just tried, I didn’t change anything, I just thought with Gavin Rees being short and stocky, like a bulldog, I thought I’d try and box and outsmart him, but again I have to be honest I gave the first round up trying to do that and ended up having to chase the fight. It was close, I thought he deserved it because he did win the first round. Big first round and it just shows you that you can’t try and outsmart people, you need to get on with it in Prizefighter and that’s what makes it as exciting and entertaining as it is, you need to get on with things.

Rio - I know Jimmy (Tibbs) says you’re a contender, in fact he says you are more than that, he says you are in your prime and should be challenging for titles now. By taking Prizefighter was this a decision that came easily?

Colin - No, I spoke with Matchroom closely and you run the risk that if you mess up in Prizefighter you do jeopardise a title fight. To be honest with you I could have had the Purdy title fight come September. I heard he was quite comfortable defending against me but it meant sitting out and waiting and there’s nothing worse than sitting about being inactive. When you believe in yourself and you know what you can do I think just opting out and waiting for things to happen is the wrong way to look at it. You’ve got to get in there, prove, show, earn and get on with things. That’s what I have done by taking on Prizefighter again.

Rio- Over the past year or so it seems that every winner of Prizefighter gets a title shot. Did this influence your decision?

Colin - It did in a way, as I said I could have sat out and waited for the Purdy fight, but by winning Prizefighter that definitely determines that, in my circumstances, that you are next and I’m happy with that. I’m clear in my mind that by winning Prizefighter and I’ll get that title shot. Rather than waiting I’m going to make it happen.

Some people might disagree that Prizefighter is a short cut but you look at the names that go in Prizefighter, yeah it’s only three fights, but their prepared to go in there and put it on the line against other big names, rightly so you deserve a title shot from winning something like that.

Rio- Prizefighter seems to have risen in stature, originally featuring fighters at the end of their career mixing it with youngsters who’ve yet to get a break, but now it’s become a really important tournament for established stars and reaching audiences in excess of 5 Million, why do you think this is?

Colin - I’m not bowing my trumpet but when you get someone like me in it and someone like Junior Witter or Kevin McIntyre, then perhaps they can be a bit more selective on who goes in it. It will come back round when the guys that have had five, whether they won them all or not, their time will come. They’ve got to be patient unfortunately, but it will come around again.

It’s like the Contender series when that first come out and it was supposed to be for those who hadn’t been given their chance and as it becomes popular everybody wants to be in it and you start getting recognised names in it.

Barry Hearn is very good at what he does and that’s why he come up with this concept, and his Son mustn’t forget Eddie he’s a big part of this, he’s sort of geed his Dad up and it’s working really well.

They reach an audience that wouldn’t normally watch a twelve rounder because it’s long winded, which is more like a game of snooker or chess match init. They’ve geed things up and made it over in a little while. You can watch a fight and when it’s over go and make a cup of coffee and then the next one’s on. It’s brilliant and reaching a different audience.

Rio - Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today and good luck on June 7th.

Colin - Thank you Rio.

Prizefighter - Welterweights II, featuring Colin Lynes, Junior Witter, Yassine El Maachi, Kevin McIntyre, Nathan Graham, Peter McDonagh, John Wayne Hibbert and Bobby Gladman, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.

Tickets, priced £35 (Unreserved), £60 (Ringside), and £100 (VIP) are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or call 07960 850645

PHOTO CREDIT: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

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