I'll overturn the odds, insists McIntosh

EDP SPORT 24 Chris Lakey24th June, 2009

Norwich boxer Danny McIntosh says the bookies have got it wrong ahead of his British light-heavyweight title bid next month.

McIntosh is a 7-2 underdog with opponent Nathan Cleverly, who also holds the Commonwealth belt, a red-hot 6-1 on favourite - and McIntosh says they are way off.

"There's going to be a lot of people with egg on their face after this fight," he said.

"It's a great fight between two undefeated guys and it's a fight that needed to be made. I've heard people like Barry McGuigan saying that it's too soon for me and that I need more experience, but I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks.

"When I fought Joey Vegas people said it was too soon, when I fought Steve Spartacus they said it was too soon and when I fought Matthew Barney they said it was too soon. And guess what? I'm still undefeated.

"I won all those fights and I'll win this one as well and I'll prove an awful lot of people wrong in the process People don't see what I do in the gym day in, day out. I know I'm ready for this and I know I'll be leaving that ring with the Lonsdale belt."

Something has to give when McIntosh, who has won 10 out of 10, and Cleverly, unbeaten in his 16 pro outings, clash at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on July 18 - a fight that was originally due to come to Norwich. However, McIntosh - at 29, seven years older than his Welsh opponent - says the calibre of his opponents has been better.

"Some of the guys Cleverly's been in with have been complete unknowns," said McIntosh.

"He's looked good blowing them away, but anyone would have looked good against those guys.

"He's a nice technician and a decent boxer, but I don't think he's been tested at all yet and he's going to get a shock when he gets in the ring with me."

McIntosh, who holds the English light-heavyweight title, trains out of the Ingle Gym in Sheffield and is currently stepping up his preparations.

"I'm sparring with George Groves at the moment and I'm hoping to get some sparring in with Carl Froch shortly as well," he said.

"I'm really buzzing for this fight. It's a huge opportunity for me and I know I'm going to walk away with that British title.."

The clash, which will be shown live on ITV4, tops a bill which also includes City boxer Jon Thaxton, in action for the first time since losing his European lightweight title in February, unbeaten heavyweight Tyson Fury and prospects Steve O'Meara, Dwayne Lewis, Bradley Evans, Del Rogers and Bobby Ward.

Tickets, priced from £35, are available from Sportlink in Norwich on 01603 868606, from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk

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