Next Prizefighter features cream of British light-welters

Barry Hearn has announced the return of the highly successful Prizefighter series, having just  completed a recent heavyweight tournament, which saw an unlikely final triumph of Audley Harrison.  With the ever increasing level of competitors, not to mention prize money, the latest tournament boasts a wealth of talent at light-welterweight (interestingly, the final weight has actually been set at 10st 3lbs.)

Here is a brief overview of the eight fighters battling it out on December 4th at the National Hall, London.

Colin Lynes – arguably the most experienced fighter in the line up, fresh off a points loss to Souleymane M’baye.  Former British and European titleholder Lynes has a win over fellow competitor Young Mutley, as well as Juho Tolppola and Barry Morrison, and has only lost in good company.  He will be looking to re-assert himself here in order to progress to another crack at the European title and beyond. 

Jason Cook – former European and IBO champion, Cook has embarked on a so far successful comeback after four years out.  With a creditable win posted over tough Steffano Zoff and with only two losses on his record, one coming from former Ricky Hatton victim Aldo Nazareno Rios for the IBO belt, Cook may well be feeling strong after his brief retirement.  At 34, with a win over Scott Jordan and with reasonable power in his punches, he can still come again.  However, it is still early day and this tournament will really help establish what he has left.

Gavin Rees – former WBA champ posted the best win of his career when he beat Souleymane M’baye in 2007 by outworking the champion, setting a furious pace.   Trained by the formidable Enzo Calzaghe, Gavin has not has as much time in the limelight has maybe he should have had, and much of his record composes of B-Level opposition.  With his only loss coming to Andreas Kotelnik, Rees has proven he is no push-over.  If he eats well and trains hard (which has been lacking in the past) his main advantage for Prizefighter will be to set a scorching pace to rack up the points and tire his opponent out.

Lee Purdy – the youngest competitor in the competition at 22, he is also the least experienced.  His only loss came again Peter McDonagh, a tough fighter who is better than his record suggests.  The fact that Purdy won the rematch suggests that he learns quickly and remains a hungry young fighter.  This Prizefighter will be a baptism of fire for him and ultimately will lead to greater things if he can progress.

David Barnes – having won a Lonsdale belt outright, Barnes has proved himself well on the domestic level with wins over Juho Tolppola, hard punching Ted Bami and Barry Morrison. He has also drawn with former Commonwealth champion Ali Nuumbembe. However, he has recently struggled with injury.  If he is fit and ready on the night Barnes has a strong chance of getting to the later stages of the tournament.

Young Mutley – a well known name on the domestic scene, Young Mutley has had difficult times of late.  Since his career-best win over former world title challenger Michael Jennings for the British title, he has suffered three knockout losses in between attempting to rebuild in journeyman company.  This tournament will ultimately decide where Mutley can go from here.

Barry Morrison – perennial competitor in the light-welterweight ranks, Morrison has yet to establish himself at the highest domestic level, despite his career best split decision win of current British champ Lenny Daws (recently revenged by Daws by a tenth round KO).  Barry has heart and if he can raise the level of his game, he can make a good showing of himself, and possibly even secure a further match with Daws down the line.

Ted Bami – Along with young Mutley, Ted has fought his most recent fights in the company of larger fighters at welterweight and is a veteran of Prizefighter having fought in the welterweight event.  With career best wins over Giuseppe Lauri and Bradley Pryce, likeable Bami will mean business in this tournament.  He punches hard enough to give anyone trouble and has only lost in good company.  His most recent fight, a loss to Matthew Hatton, will have given him a hunger again.  If he can make the weight comfortably his power and previous Prizefighter experience may shine through.

With such a strong line up for this particular Prizefighter, it is difficult to say who will prevail.  

This will be one explosive night that is not to be missed!