Danger fight for Young (From Swindon Advertiser)

Danger fight for Young

6:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport By Steve Butt

KELVIN Young admits tonight’s clash against Latvian Ruslans Pojonisevs is a “dangerous fight” for him to take.

The Penhill boxer’s scheduled Southern Area title defence was called off after his opponent Matthew Barney was struck down with a virus just days before the bout.

That left Young and his promoter-manager Keith Mayo desperately searching for an opponent to step into the ring at short notice with Pojonisevs the only viable option apart from cancelling the show at Swindon’s Oasis Leisure.

Young is bidding to bounce back to winning ways after a losing his English title eiliminator against Tony Hill last October and admits he must be at his best to beat Pojonisevs.

The Swindon boxer’s Southern Area super middleweight title will no longer be on the line but Young claims the fight is still a must-win for him.

“I was devastated when I heard Matthew Barney had pulled out but I have to be professional,” said Young.

“We had a game plan for Barney and now that has had to change.

“It’s far from ideal but I have to just get on with it.

“Losing to Tony Hill was a big blow because I am desperate to compete at the top domestic level so I wante d to bounce back with a big win.

“I can still do that against Pojonisevs and I must do that. It is still a must-win fight for me. I cannot afford to lose.”

Pojonisevs is no stranger to Wiltshire having fought Trowbridge’s Nick Blackwell only last week.

The Latvian has also gone the distance with the talented Chris Eubank Junior and Young claims he will not take his rival for granted.

“I cannot take anything for granted in this fight,” added Young. “He is a tough opponent who can take a punch and looks like a big puncher.

“He has gone the distance with some decent people like Nick Blackwell and Chris Eubank Junior so I have to be very wary of him.”

Tickets cost £35 standard and £60 VIP ringside and the first bell sounds around 7.30pm.