The gloves are off (From Swindon Advertiser)

The gloves are off

6:00am Monday 6th February 2012 in Boxing

THE punches will be flying at Swindon MECA later this month when a host of wannabe boxers take to the ring for the first time.

A host of Swindonians have been in training for the last few months in readiness for the night of white collar boxing hosted by the town’s Fight Club Promotions.

Topping the bill on Saturday, February 25 is the light-heavyweight clash between Edoardo Tatangelo and Lenny Khan.

Both boxers are in great shape, confident of victory and making their debuts in the ring.

Tatangelo, who is the manager at Italian restaurant Fratello’s, says the best man will win.

“Let the best man win,” said Tatangelo. “It should be a good fight but I am confident I am going to win.

“I have been training for a couple of months and feel in great shape. I can’t wait for the fight.

“Lenny is in great shape too and I have respect for him but I am confident.

“I’ve not fought before but I don’t think I will be nervous, more exciting than anything.”

The Italian’s rival though is just as confident, saying: “Me and Eddy are going toe-to-toe and I plan to box him from the first bell.

“I know Eddy is a big lad and has been training hard but hopefully I’ll knock him out in the first round.”

Confident Khan has nicknamed himself The Dark Destroyer for the bout and has sparred professional boxers from the Horseshoe Gym in readiness for the bout.

Khan believes this preparation will give him the edge in the fight, saying: “I believe if you spar against better boxers then you will improve. I’ve sparred the professionals at the horseshoe gym and I think that will help me.

“It’s the first time we’ve both got in the ring and it could be explosive. I have a lot of respect for Eddy, he’s a really nice guy and in a way it is a shame we are fighting each other.

“It could be a tear up. I think it will be an explosive fight.”

Another hugely anticipated contest will see popular Swindon pair Mark J Williams and Anthony Hogg go toe-to-toe in a light-middleweight clash.

The night will also see the return of Swindon amateur star Steve Rushton, back in the ring after a 10 year absence. The former English Schoolboys Champion takes on gutsy Marty Pellow in what should be an exciting welterweight clash.

Other bouts include: Stoney Logavatu v Paul Fletcher; Chris Jones v Toby Craughwell; Lee Hedges v Adie Hearn and Keith Wesley v Jordan McGovern and star guests for the night will be Swindon Town boss Paolo Di Canio and former Olympic gold medallist boxer James DeGale.

Tickets cost £20 for the night which starts at 6.30pm. Contact MECA on 01793 495527, Fratello’s on 01793 574444 or long onto Swindon Fight Club Promotions facebook page called Fightclub Swindon.

• LEE Hedges has promised a knock-out victory when he takes on Adie Hearn at Swindon MECA on February 25, writes ANDREW WARREN.

The bout is part of an exciting white collar show put on by Swindon Fight Club, and Swindon-born Hedges is looking forward to getting in the ring with a man he simply does not get on with.

“He doesn’t like me and I don’t like him,” Hedges said.

“We just don’t like each other, I am not really sure why really but we will do something about it when we get in the ring.

The 25-year-old is looking to put his love for sports to good use.

He said: “I play a lot of football and that is what I enjoy.

“I have had one fight already against a South African bloke and that went well. I won on points that time, but I am sure I will not be winning on points this time.

“I am going to knock him out I am sure, and I think it will be in the second round, so he will not know what has hit him.

“I will put on a good show and there could be carnage.

“I just want to impress and have a war. I can go into the trenches and I can take shots, and I can throw punches in any round, so I just want to show everyone what I can do.”