Ferrans gets last-minute Prizefighter chance / weigh-in news - 23/10/2008

ANDREW Ferrans will be fighting in Friday’s Prizefighter Welterweight event at the York Hall in London after George Hillyard failed to make the weight.

Ferrans, 27, who hails from New Cumnock, Scotland, had been one of the reserves but will now be involved in the first fight of the night.

He faces a tough task though as he is up against former European light-welterweight title holder and Prizefighter favourite Ted Bami.

“It’s good to be involved with something like this,” said Ferrans, who has been boxing since the age of 11 and won 24 out of 34 professional fights.

“My fitness is ideal, as good as it could be so I will have no problems and you would rather do it the hard way and fight all the way through.

“Hopefully being in it gets me ready for the British title – that’s why I’m doing it and I honestly think I’m not too far from a shot.

“I’ve stopped my last two opponents in the second round and you can’t do much more than that.

“It’s going to be 100 miles per hour and I think Prizefighter is brilliant for the public and that’s how you bring in a good crowd.

“It will be non-stop action where as in 12 round fights it can be drawn out and slow and sluggish.

At a final check-weight session ahead of the weigh-in, Hillyard was found to be four pounds over the 10st 9lbs limit for the tournament

Matchroom Sport Head of Boxing John Wischhusen said: “It was decided that it would be a risk to George’s health to try and take anymore weight off and as such he has been withdrawn from the tournament.”

The withdrawal of Hillyard means Welshman Barrie Jones now becomes one of the two reserves, along with Preston’s Chris Johnson.

Prizefighter features eight fighters with four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final in one night, with each contest lasting a maximum of three rounds.

Weights: (limit 10st 9lbs)

Steve Conway 10st 8lbs 10oz.

Michael Lomax and Mark Lloyd 10st 8lbs 9oz.

Craig Dickson 10st 8lbs.

Andrew Ferrans 10st 7lbs 12oz.

Ross Minter 10st 7lbs 6oz.

Ted Bami 10st 7lbs 3oz.

Nigel Wright 10st 6lbs.

TO find out more about broadcasting Prizefighter, contact Karen Manzi, Matchroom sport’s Head of Television Sales, on +44 1869 340940.

Date posted: October 23, 2008