Scotty Cardle has warned Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd that his dream British Lightweight title shot will turn into a nightmare when they meet at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Cardle defends the title for the first time against the Birkenhead man who stepped in to face Gary Buckland at the Liverpool Olympia in September, replacing Cardle who was set to defend against the Welshman, and producing a fine performance to defeat Buckland and land the shot he takes against Cardle on Saturday.
Dodd has been bullish in the build-up, claiming his army of fans can roar him onto victory on Merseyside, but the defending champion believes that he will prove he is a class above the challenger.
“I think this is a step up too much for him and I think he knows that,” said Cardle. “I have seen some interviews with him where he was talking about he was meant to be fighting for the Central Area title, and no disrespect to him but I think that is his level at the moment. He’s talking about how he has retired Gary Buckland but in reality he hasn’t retired Gary; Gary retired himself.
“Gary knew he was at that stage and losing to somebody at Sean’s level, he has thought to himself that it is the right time to pack it in. I think that I will show the difference in levels on the night. I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew in fighting me.
“I was devastated not to be able to fight Gary. No disrespect to Sean but I do think that Gary is a harder fight then Sean, because of his style and his pressure. I still think Gary would be a tougher a fight. He has a good name and it would have been a good, tough defence of my British title. That being said, I have to focus on Sean. He’s going to try and be as good if not better an opponent and that is what I am looking towards.
“All I can take from his fight with Buckland was Sean Dodd was given a couple of days’ notice and his game plan was perfect for Gary. It is a whole different kettle of fish for me, it is going to be harder for him to have a game plan. I know I am in for a tough night no matter what. He has sold a lot of tickets, and he’s ready take the title off me, so I know I am going to get the best Sean Dodd on the night.”
Cardle challenges Dodd on a huge night of boxing in Liverpool as World-rated Merseyside Super-Middleweights Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding put their unbeaten records on the line with the vacant British title up for grabs.
Ricky Burns can take a huge step towards reclaiming his WBO World Lightweight title when he faces Josh King for the Inter-Continental Lightweight title, Prizefighter champion Tom Doran meets Rod Smith in an eliminator for the British Middleweight title and unbeaten Lightweight talent Ohara Davies faces Chris Truman.
Limited tickets are sale now from the Echo Arena website www.echoarena.com and on 0844 8000 400 – priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150.
Tickets for November 7 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.
