Shields duo ready for big fight night
SOUTH Shields-based boxers Gary Fox and John 'Razor' Watson are set to feature on the undercard of the biggest fight night to hit the region in the last 20 years.
The boxers, who fight out of the Harton & Westoe Welfare Gym and are trained by Mal Gates, are scheduled to box on the undercard of the world title showdown between Canadian champion Steve Molitor and Nottingham's Jason '2Smooth' Booth at the Rainton Meadows Arena on Saturday.
The Sky Sports show is promoted by Frank Maloney, who has both fighters on his books.
Watson knows that victory in his fight could get him right in the mix for the title fight he craves.
The talented lightweight has been hard at work in preparation for the six three-minute-round fight, and he knows he needs to be in top shape as he faces another unbeaten prospect in former amateur star Stephen Jennings, from Liverpool.
"I was in the same England set-up as Jennings, so I know him from way back," said Watson.
"I have not seen him box as a professional, but at the level I am boxing all my fights are going to be hard.
"This is the third unbeaten fighter in a row I have boxed, but that's what we want.
"This could be my toughest test, but I am unbeaten in my last eight fights and will be in great shape, so it's all about who performs best on the night.
"I am confident in my own ability to get the win."
Watson goes into the fight boosted by a link-up with South Shields-based Kis Group, a sales and lettings company covering South Shields, Sunderland and Newcastle, which is sponsoring the fighter.
Light-welterweight Fox, meanwhile, goes for his third professional win in a row when he takes on Welsh debutant Dai Jones in four three-minute rounds.
Gates said: "This will be Gary's third fight in four months, and they have all been on big Sky shows.
"To be boxing on the undercard of a world title fight in only his third professional outing will be a fantastic experience for him.
"Training has gone excellently, he has been training two and three times a day, and he is looking very sharp in the gym.
"He has also benefitted from some great sparring with former Commonwealth champion Paul Truscott, which has been a great experience for Gary as he continues to adapt his style to the professional game.
"We have been working hard in the gym on his lateral movement, and getting him to box more and use his excellent jab.
"Gary would like to thank his sponsor, Arrowmark of Fishburn, for their continued support, as they have been a great help with his travelling expenses.
"This is going to be a fantastic night of boxing.
"The Molitor fight looks set to be a classic between two very good technical and slippery boxers, and the show also includes an undercard packed with a host of North-East talent."
Tickets for the show, priced 35, are available either by calling into the Harton & Westoe Welfare gym or by ringing 07719637624.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Jarrow
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
