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Boxing: Leeds Prizefighter Anwar set to step out of the shadows
PRIZE GUYS: Light-welterweight entrants, from the left, Tyrone Nurse, Mark Lloyd, Dean Harrison, Barry Morrison, Young Mutley, John Watson, Dale Miles and Adil Anwar.
Leeds fighter Adil Anwar is ready to step out of the shadows this weekend.
The 24-year-old light-welterweight from Burley may have two professional titles to his name but he’s yet to appear on television.
All that will change tomorrow night when he engages in Eddie Hearn’s popular Prizefighter tournament live on Sky Sports.
“This is a fantastic opportunity because it’s live on Sky and hopefully this will get me the exposure I want and I can show the public the talent I’ve got,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity I’ve been waiting for and now the chance has finally come – it’s my time to shine. I’ve trained harder than ever for this because I know it’s the making of me.
“Those other kids in there haven’t got what it takes to beat me so I’m looking forward to getting that trophy and bringing it back to Leeds.”
A formidable line-up, including two former British champions, join Anwar in the eight man, one-night knockout tournament – a competition which has been dubbed the FA Cup of boxing.
But the Leeds puncher finds himself in the unusual position of being the bookies favourite despite being the least known man on the bill.
Unfazed by that, Anwar is hoping that a stellar performance will earn him the respect and notoriety needed to persuade current Lonsdale-belt holder Ashley Theophane to defend against him the summer.
He explained: “In Prizefighter there’s £32,000 on the line, but I’m not thinking about that because my main priority is to win the tournament and then move on to a British title shot.
“Theophane is the one I’ve got my eye on, not just because he’s British champion but also because he’s got a world ranking.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him because he’s very experienced and has boxed all round the world. He’s a humble, nice lad as well, so it’ll be a good fight if we meet.
“I don’t think people have seen the best of me yet. I’ve done well in my other fights so far but, to be honest, I’ve never been as fit or as motivated as I am now.
“On Saturday night those other fighters are going to try and prove themselves and show what they can do to me, but they’ll be shocked with what I can do to them.”
Anwar’s Prizefighter appearance kicks off what is set to be a busy few weeks for the local boxing scene.
On February 25, Lee Murtagh challenges for the Irish title for the fourth time when he takes on Mullingar’s JJ McDonagh in the unlikely setting of Hove, east Sussex.
Then, a week later, former British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson travels to Chester to face the highly touted Chris Goodwin.
The same night Osmondthorpe’s Josh Warrington is set to appear on a Sky-televised show in Sheffield.
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