Saturday's Prizefighter - Draw and News

Willie “Big Bang” Casey and Mark Moran will kick off Prizefighter Super Bantamweights at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday May 29.

The draw for Barry Hearn’s latest eight-man, one night tournament was made by Darts legend Phil "The Power" Taylor (weighing in slightly over 8st 6lbs) ahead of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Play-offs at Wembley Arena.

Unbeaten Irishman Casey has won four of his fives fights by knockout and issued a warning to the rest of the line-up, saying: “I’m not called Big Bang for nothing.”

Liverpool’s Moran has been out of action for 13 months through injury and will face a stern test against the 28 year-old.

Former Commonwealth, European and British title holder Esham Pickering faces Barnsley's Josh Wale in the second quarter-final with the winners of those two fights face each other in the opening semi-final.

The third quarter-final sees Commonwealth gold medallist Jamie Arthur face Welshman Robbie Turley, with unbeaten Ricky Owen facing Yorkshireman Gavin Reid in the final quarter-final.

THE DRAW
Quarter-finals
Mark Moran v Willie Casey
Esham Pickering v Josh Wale
Robbie Turley v Jamie Arthur
Gavin Reid v Ricky Owen
Semi-finals
Moran/Casey v Pickering/Wale
Turley/Arthur v Reid/Owen

Moran returns to the ring 13 months after a vital operation saved his career.

“This is a big chance for me,” said Moran. “I've always fancied Prizefighter and a few good performances here will make up for the 13 months out. That would push me up the ratings towards a British title which is where I want to be again.”

In his last outing in April 2009, Jason Booth inflicted the first defeat of his career with a sixth round stoppage in their British title bout, but Moran faced a greater fight immediately after a needing an emergency operation to save his career.

“I underperformed against Booth but I couldn't train up to the fight the way that I wanted to,” said the 28 year-old. “I couldn't do any running because I was suffering with pains in my legs and a sore back, but I didn't want to pull out so I still boxed. After the fight I went to the doctors because my balance was off and I couldn't do any training. I went for an MRI scan and they found a tumour on my spinal cord which was causing the mobility problems and hindering my training. That had to be removed a week later it was that urgent and the doctor said that if they didn't act that I would be paralysed when I'm older regardless of the boxing. The operation wasn't plain sailing but since the operation my training has got better, my legs have got stronger and my running has picked up too.

“My last performance was way under par but now I've had the operation I am desperate to show people what I am capable of.”

Prior to the defeat against Booth, Moran had won 11 of his 12 fights with one draw, and as he prepares to fight outside of the north-west of England for the first time he is in no doubt that he has the right tactics for what promises to be an explosive night in east London.

“This Prizefighter is going to be the best yet – we're lighter so we're more active and throw more punches. I think the standard of the boxers is very high but also close so it will be the most competitive.

“I think there's a way of going about it where you can pick your shots and move rather than getting into a nine-minute fight if you like. I've been practicing on being more technical and that's what my training has been based on, using my head rather than getting into a fight a slugging it out.

“I've been to shows at York Hall before and I like the atmosphere so I'm looking forward to getting out there on the night.”

While he is focused on getting past the dangerous Casey in the opening fight, the Liverpool FC supporter did allow himself to dream as to what might happen if he managed to get another shot at the title.

“To win the British title and take it out at Anfield, shake the player’s hands and get cheered by the crowd, that'd be amazing,” said Moran. “I played there for St Patrick's Junior School years ago before they played Coventry and I got man of the match. It was half full but the crowd was amazing, people say you can feel the atmosphere and the roar and they are right because I can still hear the roar now.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Arthur says that defeat at Prizefighter will spell the end of his career.

The 2002 Commonwealth Games winner fought Martin Lindsay for the British featherweight title in March and although Lindsay won on points, he praised the Welshman for his character after the fight, and it was a display that convinced Arthur to go for broke in Barry Hearn’s latest eight-man, one night tournament.

“If I lose Prizefighter - I'm done,” said Arthur. “I know I'm taking a massive gamble. Martin and I had a good tear up and I felt good after. If anything, I didn't do myself harm by losing, my reputation is still intact.

“There could be an opportunity to fight at super-bantamweight and work my way up to a British title that way, that could be in the next two or three moves. I know no-one is going to want to touch me if I lose Prizefighter. This is the balance of my career but that's what life is about, you only get places if you go out on a limb and take a chance.”

The 30 year-old – who replaced Craig Lyon in the line-up – may be taking a gamble but he says it’s a calculated one as should he win, the Pontypridd man hopes the big fights will come his way.

“I'm not sure whether I am at the bottom of the pile after losing to Lindsay, there's boys like John Simpson and other guys working their way up, but if I win Prizefighter I'm right back in the mix again,” said Arthur – who has won 16 of his 19 fights. “That's what boxing is all about, the public want to see good title fights and every fight I've been in has been exciting fights. If I don't get them, I guess I'll just have to hang them up."

With the line-up now settled, Arthur is well aware that he is one of the bigger names on the bill, but claims he should not be a favourite after getting the call with less than a fortnight before the big night.

“There's definitely a target on my head and I'm the man to beat, but I look at it that I have had less time to prepare than most of them so in my mind I'm the underdog,” said Arthur. “In every interview for every fight I've had, I've always said I want to be the underdog, not the guy that the rest want to knock off their pedestal, because that adds more pressure. I'm here to win it and I'm here with just 12 days notice - sometimes things happen for a reason and we're thrown into situations and told "sink or swim" - this is one of those situations.

“Make no mistake, anyone of the eight fighters can win this Prizefighter, all you have to do is go like a bull out of a gate for three rounds and that's what makes it interesting - it's revived boxing for me.”

There’s a strong Welsh presence on the night with unbeaten Swansea fighter Ricky Owen and Newport’s Robbie Turley hoping to pick up the £32,000 winner’s cheque and follow in the footsteps of Gavin Rees, the Prizefighter Light Welterweight champion from Newbridge.

Arthur said his Commonwealth Games experience would be vital on the night, saying that the draw format is a test of a fighter’s ability to react to change.

“I'm quite adaptable so it depends what my opponent does - I'm an intelligent enough guy to box a guy into the fight I want to suit my strengths,” said Arthur. “I'm here to win this - I don't take any opportunities that I don't feel I can win.

“I only want to fight in the most exciting contests that I can - Commonwealth, European and British title and Prizefighter of course - I want to be in the mix of things. I'm not interested in fighting on six or eight round bills in small halls and trying to work my way back up - I'm 30 years old and a qualified draughtsman so I can make a living out of work rather than dedicating all my time and effort in struggling along in boxing. If I'm going to do this I want to be up there at the pinnacle fighting the best - when I looked at this line-up with the likes of Esham Pickering in it and some undefeated fighters too - any of us can with this tournament, it's up to who performs on the night and who has the best game plan."

Tickets for Prizefighter Super-Bantamweights are available now at £35 (unreserved), £60 (ringside) and £100 (VIP) – call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.