CRAIG WATSON believes he will wipe out another loss when he attempts to regain the British welterweight title this weekend.
Southpaw Watson, 28, faces Lee Purdy for his old crown at Oldham Sports Centre tomorrow night (July 16), having lost in five rounds to the Essex man in April.
Watson avenged a defeat against John O’Donnell earlier this year, and is confident of correcting the Purdy setback in their return clash.
Watson who completed his training on Thursday by working out with the Oldham Athletic first team squad said: “Even as an amateur I never lost a rematch and as a professional I did a good job on O’Donnell in our rematch.
“If my past record is anything to go by I will be doing the same to Purdy.
“I haven’t got a clue why I do so well in rematches. I always seem more up for them if results are anything to go by.”
Despite the loss to Purdy, bookies make Watson an odds-on favourite to get the revenge he craves.
Watson, winner in 20 of his 24 battles added: “I was run down before the first fight and had no rest, but this time I have absolutely killed myself in the gym.
“I can’t bring myself to watch our first fight, but I know what he has got and everything about him. I am going to punish him.
“I feel great and being around the Oldham team was a special day and Saturday cannot come quickly enough.”
In supporting contests Watson’s fellow Oldham fighter Darren Stubbs challenges Bob Ajisafe for the vacant English light-heavyweight title.
Commonwealth welterweight champ Denton Vassell is also in action when he boxes a six round non-title fight against Nicaraguan Ronny McField.
Hatton Promotions youngsters on the bill are Austin Hornsby who meets Jason Nesbitt, Dean Halsall is up against Ryan Clark and Matthew Clarkson tackles James Tucker.
The show is not being televised and tickets are selling fast for Watson’s revenge missing and are available prices £35, £55 and £75 VIP from 01925 755222.
The card will be available from 7pm on Sunday 17h July on Hatton TV with commentary by Phil Duffell and Micky Cantwell. Simply log on to http://www.hattonsports.tv/tv/tv-player.
Weights from Göppingen: Arslan 198 – Suda 196
Tomorrow (Friday, July 15th) former World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan will be back in action against Lubos Suda at EWS Arena in Göppingen, Germany. At today’s weigh-in both fighters easily made the weight. Arslan weighed in at 198 lbs (90.0 kg) while Suda brought 196 lbs (89.0 kg) to the scale.
“I feel very well,” said Arslan. “I’m perfectly prepared and in great shape. I know that Suda is a strong opponent and I will not underestimate him. But I’ll beat him and then hopefully get another world title fight. I will watch Marco Huck’s fight against Garay very closely and hope that Huck fights me next.”
Four time world title challenger Khoren Gevor returns to the ring after a three months suspension for hitting the referee in a WBO world title fight against Robert Stieglitz in April. Gevor (167 lbs / 75.7 kg) takes on undeaten WBC international champion Nikola Sjekloca (167.5 lbs / 76.0 kg).
German heavyweight prospect Erkan Teper (249 lbs / 113.0 kg) fights for his first professional title when he squares off against Jakov Gospic (236 lbs / 107.0 kg) fort he vacant WBC Mediterranean championship.
In the only world title fight of the night Özlem Sahin (106 lbs / 48.0 kg) from Ludwigsburg takes on Corina Carlescu (107 lbs / 48.5 kg) from Romania for the WIBF light flyweight championship.
There will be eight fights in total. Eurosport broadcasts the show live starting at 9pm CET. Turkish network Show TV will show the female champion fight.
Kimbo Slice Boxing Debut Opponent Announced
An opponent has been chosen for Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson’s professional boxing debut on August 13 at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma, and he is Springfield, Missouri’s James Wade (0-1).
The two will meet in the four-round heavyweight main event of a Gary Shaw Productions and Tony Holden Promotions night of boxing.
Wade lost his debut in January of this year, but will be looking to make history in his second fight.
“Just like in MMA, Kimbo Slice is walking around with bull’s-eye on his back. His opponents know they can make themselves known to the world if they can take him out,” said Jared Shaw, Team Kimbo Promotional Advisor. “To Kimbo it’s a pro boxing debut. To James Wade, this is a world championship fight.”
According to Shaw, Slice’s goal in his first fight will be to prove with his performance that he always belonged in a boxing ring.
Tickets for the professional boxing debut of Kimbo Slice are priced at $38, $48 and $68 and are available through www.buffalorun.com.