Michael Grant returns at lightweight; Toks Owoh gets Billy Boyle

Tottenham’s Michael Grant is set to return to the ring, after a year long sabbatical from the sport, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 5th March 2011.

Michael (left, images by Rio di Caro), who was one of the most exciting young British light-welterweight prospects in the middle naughties, dropped from the radar back in February last year, following his loss to Steve Williams at their clash for the vacant English title.

As the New Year dawned Michael reappeared at long time manager-trainer Johnny Eames’ gym and started training in earnest again. With the news that Nathan Weise had to drop out of the 5th March show, MIchael instantly put himself forward as a replacement, and surprisingly deciding to enter the fray at lightweight rather than his usual division.

Following sparring sessions, with TKO team mates ‘Pretty’ Ricky Boylan and Sam Standing, Michael explained why he took the break and also his switch to the lightweight division.

“There was a lot of things, outside boxing, that were happening in my life and I really needed to sort that out first. I can’t box if I’m not one hundred percent. Everytime I get in the ring I want to be one hundred and ten percent but I couldn’t do that at the time. Yeah, now I’m back, and back in full effect.

"I think I will be a lot stronger at lightweight. At light-welter I could handle the weight, I could compete against people at that weight even those that were a lot bigger than me, but I feel I’ll be even stronger at lightweight. They’re gonna be amazed, this time out is different. My attitude, my discipline to the sport, everything is different this time. It’s going to be amazing. everyone’s gonna be shocked when they see me back in.

"This time as a lightweight I’m gonna be stopping a lot more people and going all the way. Whether it’s 6, 10, 12 rounds it doesn’t matter, I feel a lot stronger in myself, mentally and physically. It’s gonna be mad, I can’t wait to get back in there.”

A scheduled clash on the same bill between Toks Owoh and JJ Ojuederie is off following Ojuederie pulling out, due to an injury sustained in training.

Stepping up to the plate is Billy ‘The People’s Poet’ Boyle from Sheffield. Former Paratrooper Boyle, who in 2009 unsuccessfully challenged Nathan Cleverly for his Commonwealth light-heavyweight crown, is likely to prove an even sterner test for the returning Owoh (above).  

“I don’t really know too much about Billy Boyle. I can say I have been around way before this guy. I see his tape, I see the way he box and I’m just going to go in there and do what I know best, that’s boxing. If it happens I take him out, I take him out, but the only thing I know to do best is to box. I’ve been doing that for twenty years now. It’s gonna be a good fight.”