Local favourite Jack Arnfield is urging his hometown fans to roar him on to victory in the Prizefighter Middleweights III on Saturday night at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, live on Sky Sports.
Unbeaten Arnfield stepped up a level in his last outing in November 2013 against Max Maxwell in this venue, shutting out the experienced Birmingham man to win the vacant British Masters crown. Unfortunately for the 25 year old, a road accident shortly after that win stalled his progress, but he’s ready to make up for lost time on Saturday – with a bit of help from the crowd.
“The crowd can be a massive help,” said Arnfield. “It is no secret that the Blackpool fans really get behind their boxing. Brian Rose is top of the bill and has sold a number of tickets and I have sold a lot of tickets, so it will be an electric night for us in there.
“After I boxed Max Maxwell I was back in the gym straight away but unfortunately when I was coming off the motorway a truck went into the back of me and I got a shoulder injury. I had surgery a couple of months ago, only minor surgery, but it helped me out.
“I have been in the gym through it all. I have been inactive and people think I might be a bit rusty but I have been in the gym and am never out of the gym. I have my own gym so even when I am not training with Bobby I am in the gym and keeping myself in shape.
“I am easily at the level to fight for a British title. I spar with people who are British title level and beyond and I hold my own, if not get the better of a lot of the spars. I am just waiting for that opportunity, that chance to be given, and I will go for it. Hopefully Prizefighter is the platform for that.
“I don’t think there is anyone in the competition to trouble me. There are a few tough fights but I am confident I can win those and hopefully I will pick up an opportunity after Prizefighter to fight for a British title.
“It is a bit of a risk but I don’t want to be stagnant. I don’t see it as a risk because I intend on winning, so the risk is minimal for me. Some people might see it as a risk but I don’t think it is a risk at all.
“It will mean a lot for me to lift the trophy. It is a good thing, a great platform. Terry Flanagan and Martin Murray are just a couple of names to have won it. It will be great to win Prizefighter and be up there with some of the top fighters.
“I am 17-0 and there is nobody in the competition with a record like mine. I train my hardest and am always the fittest I can be. I have good, regular sparring and there is nothing I haven’t done in camp that shouldn’t put me to the top of the list for this Prizefighter.”
Arnfield is one of five unbeaten fighters in the line-up for the 35th edition of Prizefighter, with Irishman and bookies’ favourite Luke Keeler, Wales’ Tom Doran, Preston’s Mick Hall and Birmingham’s Craig Cunningham all risking their ‘0’. Former finalist Cello Renda is aiming to go one better while youngsters Liam Conroy and Luke Crowcroft can give their careers a massive boost with victory.
Brian Rose tops the bill in Blackpool in a must-win clash with Carson Jones for the vacant WBC International Light Middleweight title while Lytham St. Annes’ English Lightweight champion Scotty Cardle gets a four-rounder on the bill while there’s a third pro outing for Marcus Morrison.
Only £40 tickets remain available to buy at www.MatchroomBoxing.com.
PRIZEFIGHTER MIDDLEWEIGHTS III DRAW
Quarter final 1: Liam Conroy vs. Cello Renda
Quarter final 2: Jack Arnfield vs. Mick Hall
Quarter final 3: Luke Keeler vs. Luke Crowcroft
Quarter final 4: Craig Cunningham vs. Tom Doran
