Ex-Penhill man eyes second win (From Swindon Advertiser)

Ex-Penhill man eyes second win

6:40am Friday 25th November 2011 in Boxing

MARVIN Mullins bids for his second win since turning professional when he faces Dan Blackwell in Chippenham on December 3, writes PETER FOLEY.

And the former Penhill amateur admits he was thrown off balance when manager Keith Mayo was telling him the name of his opponent.

Mullins, 31, revealed: “He said, ‘you are boxing a kid called Blackwell from Trowbridge.’”

“I thought for a second he meant Nick Blackwell, the current holder of the English middleweight belt, who had also boxed for the British title.

“That would have been quite a task for a second outing in the paid ranks.

“Then he explained it was Dan, his younger brother who had just turned professional.”

The former England international is quick to dismiss any comparison between Blackwell and his older brother.

Mullins added: “I’ve got two brothers – Peter and Neil – who are also boxers and all three of us have different styles and strengths in the ring.

“I’m certain it will be the same with Dan, who will be determined to be judged on his own merits rather than face constant comparisons with his brother.

“Inevitably, there are similarities between the pair as both of them did their apprenticeship in the white collar ranks and turned professional at 18 years of age.

“I have not seen Dan box, but at least he is an orthodox boxer so it is not like facing a mirror image as happened during my debut against southpaw Bobby Wood.

“All the permutations have been discussed and practised in the gym so I’m well-prepared for this assignment. International Masters middleweight champion Kelvin Young’s rematch with Dean Walker tops the Chippenham bill. Two other Horseshoe professionals Danny Carter and debutant Daza Usher also feature on the eight-bout card at the Olympiad Leisure Centre.

Tickets for the December 3 event, priced at £35 and £60 (VIP), are available by calling Keith Mayo on 07789 890453, Kelvin Young on 07949 513960, Steve Mullins on 07710 304212 or any of the other boxers. They can also be purchased online at www.kmpromotions.co.uk.