'Fight of my life' (From Swindon Advertiser)

'Fight of my life'

6:50am Monday 23rd July 2012 in Sport By Steve Butt

SWINDON boxer Kelvin Young admits he faces the fight of his life in September when he contests an eliminator for the English Middleweight title.

The former Penhill amateur star takes on Hampshire’s Tony Hill at Swindon’s Oasis Leisure on Saturday, September 8 with the winner earning a shot at the English title.

Young admitted the fight will be his toughest test to date but says he is confident of victory on the KM Promotions’ show.

“This is massive for me,” said Young, who boxes out of Swindon’s Horseshoe Gym.

“Every fight I have now just seems to get bigger and if I can win this one then it opens a lot of doors for me.”

Hill, a former Junior ABA Champion, comes to the ring on the back of two defeats - his last a 30-second stoppage by the talented Billy Joe Saunders. However, Young says he is wary of his opponent and says he knows exactly what the southpaw brings to the table.

“Tony is a tough opponent,” added Young. “He is one of the top middleweights in England and his amateur record was world class.

“I know he got stopped in his last fight against Billy Joe Saunders but I’m not taking any notice of that. I saw the fight and I think he got caught cold, and plus Billy Joe is a class boxer.

“I’m going to take notice of the rest of his record and I’m wary that he is a southpaw and a strong puncher.”

Young however, is in confident mood having won the Southern Area super middlweight title last time out. The 25-year-old has won his last nine fights and claims winning momentum could be crucial come fight night.

Young added: “I have won nine in a row and also claimed the Southern Area title.

“He (Tony Hill) is coming off the back of two defeats and while I’m not taking anything for granted, I think his confidence could be low.

“I’m extremely confident, I have that winning mentality having won nine in a row and that could make the difference.”

An injury to Young’s right hand has troubled him ever since his last fight in March but the Swindon boxer declared himself fully fit for the English title eliminator.

“I’ve had a lot of tough fights in the last year and it’s taken its toll,” added Young. “Since my last fight I’ve had some rest and it’s done my hand the world of good.

“I sparred up in Birmingham the other night and everything felt fine, the hand is back to full strength.”

KM Promotions promoter and manager Keith Mayo believes the top-of-the-bill clash will be a crowd pleaser.

“Tony Hill is a very tough and experienced opponent,” said Mayo.

“In his last two fights he was in with two big names.

“Both are evenly matched and it will be a tough night for both boxers. There is also a lot at stake with an English title shot on the table for the winner.

“This has the makings of a brilliant fight.”

Also on the bill in September is Swindon’s Danny O’Reilly, who will make his professional debut. O’Reilly, a former Walcot amateur, has turns professional at the tender age of 20, after signing pro forms with Swindon’s Horseshoe Gym.

Tickets for the September 8 fight night are priced at £30 standard and £65 VIP and ringisde. Visit www.kmpromotions.co.uk for ticket information or call 07951940768.