MARTIN Concepcion wants to avenge the ‘worst moment of his career’ by knocking out Bradley Pryce in the Prizefighter Light-Middleweight final. Concepcion and Pryce are two of the eight contenders in Barry Hearn’s next Prizefighter, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on February 26. The pair have history as Pryce stopped Concepcion in the third round of their clash for the Commonwealth Championship in October 2007..
But Concepcion, who defeated Kevin Hammond last week to claim the Midlands Area title and the last Prizefighter spot, is hungry for revenge.
“I’ve got a score to settle with Bradley Pryce and I want a rematch,” said 28-year-old Concepcion.
“Losing to him was the worst moment of my career without a doubt. It was a devastating loss but one I’m eager to fix.
“I’d just come off a massive win against Matthew Hall and the opportunity came up for the Commonwealth fight. I felt at the time that I was ready but looking back, I wasn’t.
“It would be nice to meet him in the final and I definitely owe him one.
“Matthew Hall (who later beat Pryce) got to him and gave him no respect but I gave him respect. I didn’t expect to knock him out, although I have the ability to do so.”
Concepcion’s career started in explosive fashion with 11 wins, including eight victories coming inside the first three rounds.
However, his first professional loss, which came a day after a relative had died, saw a downturn in form with six defeats in eight contests over a four-year period.
But now Leicester-based Concepcion has rediscovered his love for the sport after contemplating hanging up his gloves.
“I’ve taken problems out of the ring into it,” admitted Concepcion. “In the early days I was beating a lot of people and knocking them out but then I got caught by a punch and didn’t want to know. I lost the will to fight and had gone a bit stale.
“I had lots of hurdles to overcome and was very close to losing interest in the boxing game but now the passion has been reignited.
“I have three kids and I want them to be proud of their dad. I’ve had to come back from setbacks but that shows a lot about someone’s character.
“I’ve been in there with a couple of the lads in Prizefighter and this is like I’m having another opportunity to get my career back on track.
“Everyone that has come out of Prizefighter has gone on to bigger and better things so this can reignite my career.
“Despite everything that’s happened in my career, if I could change anything, I wouldn’t as it has made me the fighter that I am and made me more determined and focused.
“It would now mean more to me to be where I want to be – British Champion, Commonwealth Champion and winning Prizefighter.”
Prizefighter tickets cost £30 and £50 and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. The event will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
MCKENZIE NOT FIGHTING BELLEW
OVILL McKENZIE will not be challenging Tony Bellew for the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight title next month, despite reports claiming that the fight is on.
Instead, the Derby knockout artist who gets a British passport later this month is targeting winning the Lonsdale belt later this year.
McKenzie (18-9) proved he is of boxing’s most concussive punchers on Friday stopping Billy Boyle in Nottingham inside a round.
McKenzie, 30, will now have his next fight on April 23 on the undercard of Rendall Munroe’s WBC super-bantamweight title final eliminator against Victor Terrazas.
Promoter Frank Maloney: “With the right fights, Ovill can become a big attraction in Midlands and get attention all over Britain.
“Ovill is starting to shift tickets and his popularity is growing all the time. With the right fights he can become star.
“He has been offered a fight with Bellew in March, but it isn’t happening. Ovill is after the British title.”
Bellew was ringside for McKenzie’s triumph against Boyle and his behaviour angered the Prizefighter cruiserweight winner and his team.
Maloney added: “Bellew was out of order with his aggressive cut throat gestures and should know better than to behave like that towards another professional.
“Ovill should have been enjoying his moment of glory, but had to put up with the sort of behaviour seen in American gangster films.
“What has Ovill done wrong to upset Bellew in the past?
“His antics has made sure the fight doesn’t happen for now. I hope Bellew can dwell on the incident now and realise he was wrong.”
More details of Maloney’s mega St George’s Day show on April 23 will be announced next week.
Kenny Anderson vs Paul David
The St Andrew’s Sporting Club today launched their 300th show in Championship style with former World Champions JIM WATT and KEN BUCHANAN both in attendance.
Club owner Tommy Gilmour announced that the main event will feature Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist KENNY ANDERSON who will challenge English Champion PAUL DAVID in their postponed British Super-middleweight Title eliminator.
Also on the bill on this historic occasion, which will be televised on 110sport.tv, is Paisley prospect Kris Carslaw
Gilmour said “I am very proud to oversee the 300th show while at the same time providing opportunities for young boxers who hope to attain the heights reached by the 2 men who topped the bill on the Clubs’ Opening night on 29th January 1973.
Over the last 37 years we have presented 86 Title or Eliminator bouts and I look forward with pride to Monday 15th March 2010”
Gilmour added that among those in attendance will be representatives from the European Boxing Union, Commonwealth Boxing Council, International Boxing Organisation and the British Boxing Board of Control as well as a host of Sporting Personalities.
This show is extra special as it also celebrates Tommy Gilmour’s 40th year as a British Boxing Board of Control licence holder.
During this time Gilmour has promoted and managed at every level from Area Title to World Championship.