Stress-free Vassell stretches for success

Denton Vassell is one of Britain’s most feared fighters but reckons he gets power from doing yoga. Manchester’s Commonwealth welterweight champion dubbed ‘Mini Mike Tyson’ by his promoter, Ricky Hatton has been converted to yoga by his mum, Janet De Silva.

The exercise is even part of a pre-fight ritual that Vassell will carry out daily before his six rounder against Nicaraguan Ronny McField at Oldham Sports Centre on Saturday July 16.

Vassell, 26, explained: “Yoga should be part of your lifestyle. My mum is a yoga teacher and it is great on fight day when things are winding down.

“I can do stretches that most people can’t do because of the yoga mum does with me.

“I have had 17 fights won them all, work in a bank and whenever I need to relax I turn to yoga and it makes me a better person.

“People think I am all power, speed and fitness but the yoga has made me elusive.

“She sits me down every day and we do stretching and breathing exercises. It is so peaceful and stress relieving.”

McField, who is based in Italy boasts a 13-9-2 record.

In the top of the bill contest local hero Craig Watson challenges Lee Purdy for the British welterweight title in a rematch. Watson lost the title to the Essex man in April when he was stopped in five rounds.

Image courtesy Mark Robinson