Earl ready for title glory

15 June 2005

Graham Earl (centre)

GRAHAM EARL, the British lightweight champion based at Plaistow's TKO gym, insists he is ready for the toughest fight of his career when he clashes with Commonwealth titleholder Kevin Bennett in a two title showdown duel at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Sunday.

The Maloney brothers plan an impressive promotional return to the famous East London venue which reopens for pro boxing after a six month revamp.

They list an an attractive four title fights on the programme - with Earl's bid to claim a Lonsdale belt clearly the outstanding attraction.

Earl is clearly looking forward to his clash and shows respect for his Hartlepool rival as he admits: "Kevin Bennett is a good fighter and has come down from light-welter and had success at lightweight, winning the Commonwealth title.

"There will be two champions in the ring at York Hall on Sunday and the winner can call themselves the best lightweight in the country and move onto bigger and better things, obviously - I think that is me," insisted the British champion.

The Johnny Eames trained fighter is clearly determined to bounce back from the first setback in his 24-fight pro campaign which came in February.

He suffered a points loss against late substitute Scottish prospect Ricky Burns a shock defeat against a rival with less than 10 fights on his pro record.

Earl makes no excuses for that defeat suffered at the Wembley Conference Centre: "I will come back bigger and stronger. Things that went wrong on the night have been rectified," he stressed.

"At the moment I have one fight to look forward to and that's the clash with Kevin Bennett on Sunday. I will come out victorious," vowed Earl.

The British champion's return has been delayed by fitness problems but John Eames reported this week he has shaken off the injury worries.

"Graham's build-up has gone well recently and on Sunday he sparred a full 12 rounds in the gym with no problems I am confident he will come through a winner against Kevin Bennett," Eames said.

Alongside the title top liner, Tottenham light heavyweight Peter Haymer gets an English title 10-rounder against Portsmouth rival Tony Oakey which was due to take place on May 27 but was called off on the day of the fight.

Another TKO gym fighter bids for glory on Sunday - welterweight James Paisley looks to boost his career when he meets Reading rival Nathan Ward for the British Masters crown.

Trainer Eames stresses the whole gym will be behind Paisley on Sunday: "James has been working really hard for the fight and if anyone deserves a title it's this kid."

There is also title action with the British Masters light middleweight crown at stake with Gary Woolcombe challenging current title-holder Taz Jones.

Also booked for action on the Sunday show is another TKO gym fighter, Turkish middleweight Gokhan Kazaz.

Hard-hitting Kazaz has built up an enthusiastic band of supporters, winning fights in entertaining style.

He looks to put another win on his record on Sunday's show which will be shown for fight fans on Turkish television.