Cruiserweight Prizefighter III - Tournament Preview

By Dave Lockey @BoxingViper

This Saturday, 14^th May, sees the return of the ever evolving Betfair Prizefighter tournament. This time it’s the return of the Cruiserweights in what promises to be another exciting show brought to us by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotions.

The format is simple; Eight fighters, seven fights, one winner. The fights are based on three 3 minute rounds with the winner progressing through each stage until ultimately being crowned Prizefighter champion.

The contestants for this tournament are not short of talent by any means. The 8 warriors who will step into the ring on Saturday night are as follows;

Rumours of Herbie Hide Vs Danny McIntosh...

Former heavyweight champ Herbie Hide.

According to reports in Nottingham, former world heavyweight champion could make a return to the ring to face fellow local boxer Danny McIntosh. If it does happen, the winner will land a shot at British cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli.

Hide has been out of the ring for almost two years due to problems outside of the sport but he now feels that he is ready to make a successful return.

"Danny is a big friend of mine and I have known since he was a young up-and-coming kid in the gym who I predicted a big future for but business is business and it won't be a problem for me stepping in the ring with him," said the 40-year old.

'The Dancing Destroyer' started his career as a cruiserweight and then moved up to heavyweight to become the world champion, until losing to current champion Vitali Klitschko. He then moved back down to cruiserweight and since then has been on a fourteen-fight unbeaten streak.

McIntosh's last fight was against British light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew and the 32-year old just didn't perform to the standards of a top level domestic fighter. He has never fought above 182lb but will have to move-up as there are really no options left for him at light-heavyweight after his devastating knock out loss to  Tony 'The Bomber' Bellew.

Herbie Hide gave his thoughts on the fight with Bellew and how he thinks his fight with 'Big Mac' will go: "He had a great chance to further his career against Tony Bellew a couple weeks back, but just didn't perform so here's his chance to prove a point and if he can beat me then I will be a big scalp for him to put on his record... However, that isn't going to happen - my experience will be too much for him and even though I'm now on the wrong side of 40, I still have plenty oof speed and punching power."

Tony Bellew Proves He Is World Class...

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British light-heavyweight Tony Bellew retained his title on Saturday night against fellow Brit Danny McIntosh. 

Bellew (18-1-0) dominated from the first round. He just had too much for McIntosh who was made to look very un-experienced and lazy. The fight was meant to be a close one but Bellew just proved to be too good and showed everyone that he has what it takes to compete at world level.

The 29-year old dominated every round and then pulled off a fantastic knock-out in the 5th round. McIntosh tried to put the pressure on at times but Bellew was too skilful and ended up countering McIntosh with more shots than he had thrown.

The knock-out came just after a clash of heads that caused a cut under Bellew's eye. Bellew looked a little annoyed with the incident and responded with a fantastic shot that sent his older opponent crashing down to the canvas.

McIntosh fought Bellew's nemesis Nathan Cleverly a few years ago and personally I think that Bellew performed better against him than Cleverly did. 

Bellew called out Welshman Cleverly once again during the post-fight interview saying "I was promised a rematch with Cleverly, it was broken. I'll fight him tomorrow in Wales or even in his back garden!"

This fight definitely proved that Bellew is much better than domestic level and he desperately wants a rematch with Cleverly as their no one else in Britain that can really challenge the 'Bomber'. The first bout between the two was very close and although the decision was given to Cleverly, it could have easily have gone either way.

Carl Froch (Bellew's sparring partner) and David Price (one of Bellew's best friends) both backed up the idea that Bellew is now world class in an interview with the two fighters. 

What will see next from Tony 'Bomber' Bellew?.. Most people will be hoping for a rematch with Cleverly but I very much doubt that Cleverly would accept that fight. One thing we know for sure is that we can expect big things from Tony Bellew in the future.

McIntosh no-shows at press conference!

Tony Bellew (Left), David Coldwell (Centre), Danny McIntosh (Right).

British light-heavyweight Danny McIntosh failed to turn up at Wednesday's press conference for his upcoming fight with Tony Bellew. McIntosh claimed that travel problems were the reason that he could not make it to Liverpool in time.

The British light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew lashed out at McIntosh claiming that he was a disgrace to everyone. He also went on to take the mickey out of McIntosh's nickname ('Big Mac') saying that he was going to eat a 'Big Mac' on Friday night when the fight takes place.

“It is total disrespect from Danny to the press, Sky Sports and to me – it’s pathetic really,” said Bellew. “I know what he’s trying to do and there’s no point trying to play mind games with me... “I don’t eat Big Macs but I’ll make an exception on Friday night – he’s getting chewed up and spat out. The problem is that he’s only coming for the cheque, he might walk off with a good payday but he’ll have a big defeat and a bust up face to show for his night."

Fight with Cleverly could have gone either way.

Bellew returns to the ring for the first time since his his closely contested fight with world champion Nathan Cleverly. This fight gained him a lot of respect and recognition amongst British fans but Bellew is disappointed that it is only now that he will get back into the squared-circle. 

“I’m coming off the back of my best performance and I feel that I have been punished for fighting so well,” said Bellew. “I’ve been left of the shelf for way too long and I’ll take it out on Danny on Friday... Cleverly is the weakest World champion, there’s no doubt in my mind about that. But he doesn’t want it, so let’s move on and look at better fighters. The fact is that he is not fighting the right fighters – if I was fighting carpet fitters and plumbers I wouldn’t be happy and there’s something wrong there. Danny is a bigger threat than Tommy Karpency, a guy who went back to his corner and wanted out after the third round – that’s not right. But there’s more out there than Nathan for me, I will fight anyone and I guarantee excitement, bums on seats and TV viewers.”

Bellew has stated that after he beats McIntosh he would like to get another shot at a world title. But, this is easier said than done. McIntosh will be a very tough challenge for the 'Bomber' but if Bellew wins and looks classy whilst doing it he will prove to all of his doubters that he is ready for another world title fight. Although I'm not sure that Nathan Cleverly would accept the challenge.