Rendall Munroe: "I am going to become world champion"

Rendall Munroe could become Britain’s fourth current world champion this weekend (joining the likes of Amir Khan, David Haye and Ricky Burns) if he is victorious in Japan.

The 30 year-old Leicester bin-man has been given eight unpaid weeks off and faces the daunting task of challenging WBC super-bantamweight holder Toshiaki Nishioka in a fight that will be televised live on Sky Sports this Sunday at 10am.

Munroe, a former undefeated European champion, is one of British boxing’s nice guys and has warmed fans' hearts by combining his ring life with early morning starts as a dustman.

And his supporters have since followed in similar fashion by dressing in high visibility jackets when attending Munroe’s fights. While only about 200 of them will make the long trip abroad it will be Nishioka enjoying the bulk of support in an arena that holds 14,000.

Munroe, a professional for seven years, has polished off all comers at domestic level notching up 21 wins against a single defeat at featherweight (in a failed British title bid against Andy Morris on points) while also bagging both the British and Commonwealth crowns in his favoured super-bantamweight division.

A muscular keep fit fanatic, Rendall always comes into the ring in fabulous condition and once the bell rings he goes about his job at a relentless pace.

But 34 year-old Nishioka has been operating at world level since 2001 when he first captured the WBC belt and is now in his second reign as champion after successfully defending it four times.

He also boasts a record of 36 wins, four defeats and three draws and the Japanese hero has stopped eight out of his last nine opponents.

Munroe also hopes to go one better than his friend Jason Booth who in September failed against IBF champion Steve Molitor over 12 rounds, but will probably have to stop Nishioka to guarantee victory.

And Rendall is counting on his team’s tactical preparation as he leaves all the studying of his opponents to them as he explained to BoxRec News.

 “Its worked so far to now so why change it, that’s the way I am. I just listen to what my trainer (Jason Shinfield) tells me.”

It’s a tall order for the little warrior who wants to join the big league.

Had his Promoter Frank Maloney secured home advantage I may be calling this fight somewhat differently.

Promoters, like their fighters, have to pay the price to gain any and every advantage for their fighter. Although it is a sometimes expensive one, it’s worth every penny and pound in the long term.

Rendall admits he would have preferred home advantage but has taken his own nutritionist with him and he confidently predicted to BoxRec News it will make no difference to the outcome.

“It is a bit of a blow but like I said before I either win it at home or defend it at home. I am going to be the next WBC champion. Go and put as much (money on me) as you want because I am going there to become a champion and I’ll come back a champion.”

While my heart firmly says Rendall, my head says he will be returning to his day job in a week’s time as a gallant and possibly controversial loser.

But here’s hoping I’m wrong.