Wright comes in for Sinclair and expects glory / The draw - 17/10/2008

QUARTER-FINALS: George Hillyard v Ted Bami, Steve Conway v Mark Lloyd, Michael Lomax v Craig Dickson, Ross Minter v Nigel Wright.

SEMI-FINALS: Hillyard or Bami v Conway or Lloyd, Lomax or Dickson v Minter or Wright

THE draw for the next Prizefighter event has been made with a selection of mouth-watering pairings.

Ted Bami, who had been the bookmakers’ favourite, will appear in the first fight of the night as he meets fellow Londoner George Hillyard.

Steve Conway takes on Mark Lloyd in the second quarter-final in the competition, which will be staged at a sold out York Hall on Friday, October 24.

Michael Lomax defeated Craig Dickson on a points decision earlier this year and will be hoping for a repeat triumph as the pair meet up in the third quarter-final.

The fourth fight of the event, which is sponsored by PartyCasino.com promises to be a cracker as Ross Minter takes on Nigel Wright.

The draw was held at the Dorchester Hotel in central London ahead of the Boxing Writers dinner.

Former WBC Welterweight Champion John H Stracey and current British Writers Young Boxer of the Year Paul Appleby performed the draw with Sky Sports commentators Glenn McCrory and Johnny Nelson also present.

WRIGHT REPLACES INJURED SINCLAIR AND EXPECTS PRIZEFIGHTER GLORY

NIGEL Wright expects to become the next Prizefighter Champion despite stepping in at short notice.

Wright, 29, has been drafted in as a late replacement into next Friday’s The Prizefighter Series – Welterweights 1 event after Belfast’s Neil Sinclair withdrew due to a back injury.

“I was pursuing the Commonwealth title next month so I was already fit,” said Hartlepool-based Wright.

“The Commonwealth title is still there but we’re still working on that so I would rather get out there and this is a great opportunity to boost my profile.”

Prizefighter – Welterweights features eight top British boxers competing in a night of tournament boxing and comes after two successful and thrilling shows in the heavyweight division.

Four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final will take place in one action-packed evening at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

Each contest lasts a maximum of three rounds and there is a big incentive for all the boxers as the champion collects £25,000.

Wright, who held the English light-welterweight belt for more than two years and has fought for the Commonwealth title, is having to move up a division but believes it will not be a problem.

“I’m going up a weight but I don’t see that as a disadvantage as I’m strong and never been dropped in my life,” said Wright.

“I spar with big lads all the time and I’ve sparred with middleweights so I will be stronger, fitter and faster than all of the other Prizefighter challengers.

“I’ll be smaller than everyone else but I’ll box clever and I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.

“As they think I’m small the big lads will come at me like a bull but that will suit me as I will box their heads off. I have got the best boxing ability of all the fighters here.

“I’ve knocked out Kevin McIntyre in one round and he has been the British Welterweight Champion so I’ve proved I’ve got the power. If anyone underestimates me they will get knocked out.

“There’s nobody in this that can beat me and I’m not bothered who I’m drawn against.

“I had 90 amateur fights, boxed for England 25 times, went to World Championships and Commonwealth Games and that will be good experience for this competition. I’ve got more experience than anyone else here from the amateur game.

“I’m 100 per cent confident that I’m going to win. I’m here to win and I’m going to do it.”

The Prizefighter Series – Welterweights 1 event is already sold out and will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 from 8pm on Friday, October 24.

The contenders in the tournament are Ted Bami (Brixton, London), Steve Conway (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire), Craig Dickson (Glasgow), George Hillyard (Canning Town, London), Mark Lloyd (Telford), Michael Lomax (Chingford, Essex), Ross Minter (Crawley), Nigel Wright (Hartlepool).