'Gushing' Gladman enthuses about Prizefighter

On paper the upcoming Prizefighter - Welterweights II looks set to propel either former word champion Junior Witter or former European champion Colin Lynes back onto the world stage - although saying that with eleven out of his twelve previous outings being championship bouts, including having fought Victor Puiu for the WBC International Silver welterweight title in February this year, Junior Witter is well and truly a current big player on the championship circuit.

However, the excellent Matchroom Sports promoted series also has a habit of creating new stars, with the winner often gaining a title shot within a short while of lifting the coveted trophy.

Rio di Caro meets one of the field who could be a new star - Bobby Gladman.

Rio - Thank you for talking with me today, please tell the readers your thoughts on the Prizefighter series .

Bobby - Well, it’s a jumping stone, it’s a good little competition. If you win it you’re up there, aren't you? It’s a good thing, it’s on Sky live.

Rio - OK, we’ll move on to the fighters now - first up give us your thoughts on Junior Witter.

Bobby - Yeah I know about Junior Witter, he’s been about. I think he’s past his sell by date but we’ll see on the night.

Rio - Next up is Colin Lynes, who also trains here at the TKO Gym.

Bobby - I’ve watched the videos of Colin Lynes, don’t know too much about him. He’s a twelve round fighter, very fit. We’ll see what he’s got on the night. Yeah he does train here, not at the same time though. We’ve got different trainers.

Rio - Another former champ is next, Kevin McIntyre.

Bobby - He’s southpaw, Scottish, been about. He’s 33 years old. I’ve watched videos of him to see what he’s about and that. Nothing special about him.

Rio - OK, next in line is current International Masters champion Yassine El Maachi.

Bobby - Don’t really know anything about Yassine El Maachi, except that he throws a lot of punches. Another southpaw, strong, keeps coming forward. We’ll see what he’s got on the night.

Rio - Next up is John Wayne Hibbert.

Bobby - I’ve watched John Wayne Hibbert box in the amateurs, so I know quite a bit about John. He’s not a bad little boxer, moves well, but we’ll see what he’s got on the night.

Rio - OK, next on my list is Peter McDonagh.

Bobby - Peter McDonagh, right. An Irish warrior, as they say. That’s all I can say about him really, there’s nothing too special about him. He comes forward and he’s got a good heart, that’s about it.

Rio - the final one is Nathan Graham.

Bobby - I know nothing about Nathan Graham, never heard of him, never seen him. I’ll have to look him up on YouTube and see what he’s about. Other than that we’ll have to see what he’s got on the night.

Rio - What type of training are you doing to prepare for Prizefighter?

Bobby - I do pads with Johnny Eames, started sparring now, do a circuit with Barry (co-trainer Barry Smith) or do a circuit with Johnny, depending on what time I get in. Training’s going all right at the moment.

Rio - You said you just started sparring, who have you been sparring for this?

Bobby - I’ve sparred with a geezer called Sam (Sam Standing), Daryl (Daryl Setterfield) and today with an amateur southpaw called Faheem. It good sparring.

Rio - Due to the format of Prizefighter - three rounds, then if you win a short rest, then the next three rounder etc. How do you think this is going to affect you?

Bobby - After doing the first three rounds I think I can recover quick enough to do the next three rounds and then easily recover again to do another three. It’s all about the recovery time really. That’s what I have been working on. It’s just like the amateurs really. I wasn’t a bad amateur so we’ll see what happens on the night, see who turns up.

Rio - If you win the tournament that could lead to a title shot, which seems to be standard with Prizefighter these days - how does that motivate you?

Bobby - Yeah, I’m in it to win it, I’m not in it to be a loser. That title shot, Lee Purdy - I don’t think he’s all that, but he’s the champion so he’s the one I’ve got to go to if I want to be the champion. There’s quite a few good people in welterweight at the moment, it’s looking lively.

Rio - finally is there anything you would like to say to the fans?

Bobby - Yeah, get down and watch it, it should be a good night. Loads of action and the winner at the end of it being me.

Prizefighter - Welterweights II, featuring Bobby Gladman, Colin Lynes, Junior Witter, Yassine El Maachi, Kevin McIntyre, John Wayne Hibbert, Nathan Graham and Peter McDonagh, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.

Tickets, priced £35 (Unreserved), £60 (Ringside), and £100 (VIP) are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or call 07960 850645

Gladman (left) pictured boxing Matt Scriven, courtesy Rio di Caro