Irish Boxing

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Steve Wellings says the Belfast man could roll back the years at Prizefighter when he meets Pryce in the first round.

IF ever a fighter was suited to the Prizefighter format it is Belfast’s Neil Sinclair. He starts fast (15 knockouts inside three rounds), hits extremely hard (26 opponents stopped in 33 wins) and has a solid amateur pedigree (Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1994) – handy traits to have in a tournament that requires the ability to compete in bouts that flow thick and fast.



As far back as 2000 Sinclair was challenging Daniel Santos in Sheffield for the WBO welterweight title, dropping the defending champion before being halted himself in the second round. Ten years later and Sinclair is enjoying something of a renaissance, with the Prizefighter crown a realistic target for the man who has already won a Lonsdale Belt outright.



“I’m really looking forward to the Prizefighter tournament and I see it as another lifeline they’ve thrown out to me and I plan to grasp it with both hands,” enthused the 35-year-old.



“Even before Bradley Pryce’s name was mentioned I just had a feeling he would be involved, especially after his camp won the last Prizefighter with Gavin Rees. Pryce is an old adversary of mine and fighting him would not be easy but I feel I have the beating of him and the beating of any of the others.



“There a couple of middleweights coming down in weight who’ll fancy the job but I’ll not concern myself with that; I’ll just let them worry about me. This time next week it’ll be all over and hopefully I’ll be sitting as the next Prizefighter champion.”



Sinclair admits fate could throw him in with Pryce at some stage during the event. “Sinky” starched the Welshman in eight rounds at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena, in 2003, in the third defence of his British welterweight title. Over the years that followed, a mixed bag of results ensued and Sinclair ventured to the US in an attempt to revitalise his career. It didn’t work out, but since returning to Belfast and hooking up with trainer John Breen, Neil has found himself linked with another Irishman who has found a home in the States.



“My name was linked with John Duddy through the press as I’d just won the Irish light-middleweight title [beat Henry Coyle, rsf 3, last May] and there was talk about Duddy coming down in weight, it wasn’t like I was calling anybody out,” admitted Sinclair.



“The promoters thought it was a natural fight at the time but I now believe he isn’t moving down and I would consider a move up to meet him if that was necessary. I’ve sparred with middleweights and there’s never been a problem, in fact I see a bigger target and I can use my speed to good effect. Naturally I’m a light-middleweight and hope that one day I could even get back down to welterweight, but that’s all in the future and I could even end up fighting [US-based Wicklow light-middle] James Moore. There are plenty of big fights out there for me.”



With the likes of Matthew Macklin and Andy Lee also campaigning in the surrounding weight classes, there are rich pickings for the North Belfast man, if he were to emulate his former gym-mate Martin Rogan and achieve Prizefighter glory.



“There’s great competition in Ireland at the moment around my weight,” he said, “but if I could win this Prizefighter tournament then that would open up the door for me. Look at what Martin Rogan went on to do after he won it. My last fight [w rsf 4 Janos Petrovics on the Sexton-Rogan II undercard in November] was shown on Sky but my next efforts will be live with plenty of boxing fans watching. Some people might not even realise that I’m still boxing, not knowing that I had a bit of a resurgence last year and thinking I’d retired long ago.”



Those fans who had consigned Sinclair to the memory banks will certainly remember him if he starts rolling back the years to the type of form that saw the likes of Harry Dhami, Derek Roche and Paul Knights removed with devastating force. The affable puncher is also delighted to be working under a former employer.



“Barry Hearn has offered me a springboard and I can’t be thinking about anything else but winning the whole thing because it lets me know where I am at the moment,” Neil said.



“I’ll be gearing my training towards the three-threes format, which I haven’t done since my last amateur fight. I’ve had a lot of two or three-round wins in my career and believe that I’m a fast starter so the format suits me, no doubt. I know that I have to be fit to enter this competition but I’ll not be neglecting my boxing skills even though I plan to fight busy and take things out of the judges’ hands.”



There appears little chance the former world title challenger will succumb to any pressure.



“If I can’t give a showing in this then it means that I’m not that good,” laughed Sinclair.

 

Good stuff Steve:good

I definitely agree with you - the format will suit Sinky.

What are your 4 quarter-final picks?

 

If anyone is lookin a couple of jars whilst watchin Prizefighter on Friday, me n a friend will be up the Big House on the Ormo watchin the action in there! You are all welcome :good

 

The Big House?? Didn't know gargling was permitted in prison! That the pavillion yeah?

 

Lol, aye thats the Pavilion

 

Jack mcgowen was also a great writer who's sadly no longer with us. But you can't look past our very own sbw

 

I forgot the cd mate so that didn't happen. Can't remember what they played but I remember the cheesy ****s in magherafelt played "kiss me through the phone" I felt like a right turd puncher. Your comment about one of paddys farts knocking that edgit hamed over was funny

 

Very good call Carlos. I used to enjoy reading Magowan's boxing and golf articles. Top class and robust opinions.

I found this one a few months ago when I was doing a bit of research....

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/s...show-at-amateur-boxing-showcase-14207618.html

 

Slappy doesn't count because he defected to Mancunia. Is Roger Anderson still writing or what? He's pretty good and all.

The writers in this country get better the further north you go!

 

and im down d ****in south atsch

 

Like the avatar Ardy. Good old Sinky! Hairy chest and all. Not like these new wave metrosexual boxers with their shaved chests and their fancy hairdos! I had a dream he sparked Pryce in the first round last night. Its an omen I tell ya!

 

Went down to my local Paddy Power and got Sinky at 100/30 second favourite to Pryce who he is fighting in the first round which is mad. Normally it would be longer odds in the out right must be loads of money for him to win it. Irish lads seem to do well in this with Barrett and Rogan going to final or winning it.

 

class article Steve- looking forward to seeing those qoutes in the Star this Friday!!!:tong:yep:yep... no seriously really enjoyed reading that

 

Sounds interesting. Could be the spot to watch it alright!