Frustrated Facey calls for Prizefighter chance
English light-middleweight champion Andrew Facey has thrown his hat in the ring for the next Prizefighter tournament – and does so with a lot of pent up anger.
“I’ve been English champion for six years now and it’s got me nowhere,” said the Sheffield-based stylist.
“I feel like giving it back to be honest because nothing’s happening. I see all these kids fighting for the English title on Sky – it seems like every weight division apart from mine!”
Facey – a typically defensive clever fighter trained by Dominic Ingle – has mixed with, and beaten, some classy opponents. He feels underappreciated and his case has merit.
“I won the English belt back in November 2003 against Matthew Macklin and, fair play to him, he’s gone on and done very well. But he’s had the opportunities. So have other lads I’ve beaten such as Gary Woolcombe. I’d been out of the ring for months when I boxed Thomas McDonagh and got a draw. He’s had his chances now. I boxed Jamie Moore twice (losing both) and I take my hat off to him. But I won seven out of the first eight rounds against Bradley Pryce and he got a hometown decision.”
Former foe Pryce is one name in the hat for the next instalment of the successful tournament franchise which is scheduled to take place on February 26th. Others mentioned are Neil Sinclair, Martin Concepion, Prince Arron and Brett Flournoy.
“I see these lads getting their chances in Prizefighter and I’m sat at home, aged 37, and feel like I’m going nowhere. I’d easily beat the lot of them.
“When I go back home (Wolverhampton) people even ask me if I’ve given up. If you average out my fights, it’s 2.7 a year! I’m not tied to any promoter and I’m prepared to speak to anyone. My manager (John Ingle) is matchmaker for Hennessy but I’ve only boxed once on their shows – that was at three weeks notice and I stopped their man Gilbert Eastman in three.
“I’m not a full-time fighter. I’m a team leader at an engineering firm, I go to work then to the gym after work. I deserve a chance. Not only that – I’m better than all the lads they’ve already got in the frame for the next one.”
Trainer Dominic Ingle thinks his work commitments haven’t helped his cause over the years. “He’s a bright lad and he’s got his full-time job which is something to fall back on. We’ve had fights lined up for him but we haven’t been able to make them because he’s had work or holiday commitments. You also have to remember that Andrew’s had two British title fights (both against Jamie Moore) and could have won both of them, especially the second one (where Facey was stopped in the eleventh after having Moore in trouble early in the fight).
“Plus, other fights have fallen through. Last year he was supposed to fight Woolcombe but he (Woolcombe) pulled out.
“John (Ingle) has been in touch with Matchroom and put his name forward for Prizefighter but it’s their choice after all.”
Prizefighter is beginning to be a home of champs and ex-champs and Facey fits the bill in that regard. With Yassine El Maachi also pleading his admission case on this website earlier this week, what is clear is that Barry Hearn’s tournament seems as popular with fighters as it is with fans.
Submitted by Ian McNeilly on 24 January, 2010 - 20:10
