The Prizefighter Series - Welterweights: Line-up announced - 24/09/2008

THE all-action Prizefighter Series will return next month with the first ever welterweights event.

Eight British fighters will compete in one sensational evening of boxing at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday, October 24.

The line-up includes former European Light-Welterweight Champion Ted Bami, Neil Sinclair, who has held the British welterweight title, and former WBU title challenger Ross Minter.

This event, sponsored by PartyCasino.com and broadcast live on Sky Sports, follows two successful heavyweight tournaments – won by Martin Rogan and Sam Sexton.

Four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final will be staged in one night with each contest lasting a maximum of three rounds.

The winner will pocket the £25,000 top prize, the runner-up gets £12,000, losing semi-finalists receive £8,000 and beaten quarter-finalists take home £4,000.

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn believes boxing fans are in for another night of thrilling entertainment.

“If you enjoyed the heavyweight all-action Prizefighter Series then you’re going to love the welterweights,” said Hearn.

“With eight of the top welterweights in the country including Neil Sinclair, Ted Bami and Ross Minter, the York Hall will sell out in no time as we return to the home of boxing in London.

“As usual it’s very difficult to predict a winner because of the three-round format. Favourites come and go but those who have the real ambition and determination will march towards the £25,000 first prize.

“In both the Prizefighter Series events the early favourites have not emerged the final winner so anyone of these eight is in with a shout of becoming Prizefighter Champion. It will be sold out and I’m getting ready for another great night of boxing Prizefighter style. The Prizefighter Series goes from strength to strength and people are seeing how exciting it is.”

The full line-up is Ted Bami (Brixton), Steve Conway (Dewsbury), Craig Dickson (Glasgow), George Hillyard (Canning Town), Mark Lloyd (Telford), Michael Lomax (Chingford), Ross Minter (Crawley) and Neil Sinclair (Belfast).

If any fighter sustains an injury and is unable to fight in the next round (ie a cut) then one of two reserves will step in. The reserves are Andrew Ferrans (New Cummock, Scotland) and Chris Johnson (Manchester).

Tickets are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and are priced at £30 (unreserved floor), £40 (unreserved balcony) and £75 (reserved ringside).

Prizefighter Welterweights – Profiles

Name: Ted Bami
Based: Brixton, London
Age: 30
Professional record: 24 wins (12 by KO), 3 losses
Achievement: Former European Light-Welterweight Champion

Name: Steve Conway
Based: Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
Age: 30
Professional record: 34 wins (7 by KO), ten losses
Achievement: Former IBO Light-Middleweight Champion

Name: Craig Dickson
Based: Glasgow
Age: 29
Professional record: 15 wins (8 by KO), 4 losses, 1 draw
Achievement: Fought for Commonwealth welterweight title

Name: George Hillyard
Based: Canning Town, London
Age: 23
Professional record: 9 wins (5 by KO), 3 losses, 1 draw
Achievement: Never been stopped in professional career

Name: Mark Lloyd
Based: Telford, Shropshire
Age: 33
Professional record: 11 wins (3 by KO), 1 loss
Achievement: Fought for English Welterweight Championship

Name: Michael Lomax
Based: Chingford, London
Age: 29
Professional record: 11 wins (2 by KO), 1 loss, 1 draw
Achievement: Never been stopped in professional career

Name: Ross Minter
Based: Crawley, West Sussex
Age: 29
Professional record: 17 wins (8 by KO), 3 losses, 1 draw
Achievement: Fought for WBU Welterweight Championship

Name: Neil Sinclair
Based: Belfast
Age: 34
Professional record: 31 wins (24 by KO), 7 losses
Achievement: Fought for WBO Welterweight Championship

Reserves (If one of the 8 gets injured then a toss of a coin will be used to see who goes in first)

Name: Andrew Ferrans
Based: New Cummock, Scotland
Age: 27
Professional record: 24 wins (8 by KO), 8 losses, 2 draws
Achievement: Fought for WBF Super-Featherweight title

Name: Chris Johnson
Based: Manchester
Age: 27
Professional record: Won 9 (5 by KO), 1 loss
Achievement: Won his last nine fights.