Tommy Barber – London
Matchroom Sports’ popular Prizefighter competition, that pits eight contestants against each other in a last-man standing set-up, returns on June 7 at east London’s famous boxing home – York Hall, in Bethnal Green. The last Prizefighter, that had an international feel, was – thus far – the most watched boxing show on Sky Sports in the current calendar year.
Prizefighter 19: Welterweights II
| Junior Witter |
Former World champ at 140lbs |
| Colin Lynes |
Former European champ at 140lbs |
| Kevin McIntyre | Former British champ at 147lbs |
| John Wayne Hibbert |
Former national amateur champ |
| Bobby Gladman |
Undefeated welter |
| Yassine El Maachi |
Moroccan southpaw |
| Peter McDonagh |
Former European title challenger |
| Nathan Graham |
Aylesbury prospect |
One month after the success of the 18th edition of the series, where eight heavyweights from around the globe jetted in to London to take part in a unique international episode (covered by On The Beak here, here and here), the domestic welterweight division once again gets the Prizefighter treatment.
The 10 stone (140lbs) weight limit has been featured before, in 2008, with Michael Lomax prevailing over Craig Dickson, Nigel Wright and Ted Bami. Thirteen months later, the light welterweights of Britain were granted the opportunity of a three round, three stage knockout competition dust-up with Colin Lynes finishing runner-up to Gavin Rees.
Lynes (34-8-0, 12ko) will be hoping to go one better in June as he returns to York Hall in an attempt to leave the ring with the £32,000 ($53,000) cheque and silver trophy.
Lynes, a former British and European titlist who has also held a minor world belt (IBO), has also shared a ring with sterling domestic opposition including Young Mutley (twice, one split decision win and one knockout), Paul McCloskey (lost due to retiring), Lenny Daws (late teekayo loss) and also Junior Witter (decision loss).
Depending on the draw for the tournament, Lynes may well be granted a shot at revenge over his loss to Witter. A former world champion, Witter (37-4-2, 22ko) will be hoping to add another meritorious achievement to his already illustrious fight resume. ‘The Hitter’ defeated sterling opposition such as Lovemore N’Dou, Andriy Kotelnik and DaMarcus Corley. Losses to Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander and, most recently, Victor Puiu, have blemished his record, however.
Witter was recently reported to have said: “As long as I’m in the ring, I’m happy.”
Kevin McIntyre (28-7-0, 9ko), John Wayne Hibbert (7-0-0, 4ko), Bobby Gladman (7-0-0, 0ko), Yassine El Maachi (14-4-0, 5ko), Peter McDonagh (16-20-0, 2ko) and Nathan Graham (11-2-0, 5ko) complete the bill.
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