By Brendan Galbraith – Canning Town resident, George Hillyard (9-4) will be looking to seize his opportunity at next week’s Prizefighter Series at the York Hall and push on to a British Title shot. Hillyard’s career so far has been an inconsistent mix of impressive wins – including 5 KOs and lacklustre losses, including his most recent fight against Matthew Thirwall. Hillyard.
How is training going?
It is going really good. It is a more intensive work-out – you have to be off the mark very quick.. It is not like boxing for a title – were you can lose the first three rounds. In this fight, you can’t lose the first three rounds – you can’t lose the first round. It is a complete change – it is all about speed-work- it is about getting out of the blocks very quick. I am ticking over now, making sure that I keep my weight down.
Tell me about your sparring?
I have had loads of sparring. I have been sparring Dean Byrne and Pat McAleese. It has been going very good.
What did you think of Dean Byrne?
Very, very good. Very slick fighter, he is a light welterweight, very quick – he is one for the future.
Any thoughts on this evenings draw?
No they are all tough. Whoever you get drawn against – you get drawn against.
Bradley Pryce is the Bookies favourite – who do you view as the toughest opponents in the line-up?
I think that one of the favourites should be Brett Flournoy from Liverpool. He is a Southpaw, was an ABA Champion. He is ‘in and out’ – but he picks his shots though. Then there is Neil Sinclair – who is a massive, massive puncher. Danny Butler is very very good – he has a very good work rate. I would put them three into my top three.
And Prince Arron is the 5/2 joint second favourite (with Neil Sinclair)?
Yeah he is. He is the tallest of the lot – he is about is 6ft 2/3 – he is very tall for the weight. It doesn’t matter – if you want to win it you have got to fight them
Post-Prizefighter – what would you like to achieve?
It would be to get a British Title crack, a Commonwealth and even a European Title – I would like to move up the ladder.