Munroe - 'The world title is mine'

Rendall Munroe met big fight rival Toshiaki Nishioka this weekend and said: “I’m even more confident of beating him now.”

The Leicester binman faces the daunting task when he challenges for the Japanese star’s WBC world super-bantamweight title at Tokyo’s Sumo Stadium on Sunday October 24.

Munroe (21-1) and Nishioka (36-4-3) met at the WBC Night of Champions in Cardiff this weekend. And southpaw Munroe said: “We got on well and he seems a nice man, but I grew in confidence after seeing him. I'm convinced that world title is mine.

“It is always tough fighting away, but once I get in a rhythm my size and strength will cause him non-stop problems.”

Manager Frank Maloney broke off from his Algarve holiday to meet Nishioka and his representatives. He added: “They were very humble and pleasant people and this is one fight that will not be overshadowed by trash talk.

“I have to say they are very professional people and I am sure there will be fair play when we travel.

“Going to Japan doesn’t faze Rendall at all and he is the most laid back fighter I have worked with since Lennox Lewis.”

Maloney is dreaming of Munroe facing his great friend Jason Booth in a world title unification match early next year. Nottingham’s Booth (35-5) also faces a hard night when he challenges Steve Molitor (32-1) for the IBF world super-bantamweight title at Houghton-le-Spring’s Rainton Meadows Arena on Saturday September 11.

Tickets for Molitor v Booth which is being televised live by Sky Sports are available from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com. VIP Ringside are £90 with the rest a bargain £35.