Matthew Macklin keen for home date
Sep 8 2008 By Ian Johnson
BIRMINGHAM’S Matthew Macklin is fighting fit and raring to go for his next date at the Villa Events Centre on October 31 – despite suffering a cut eye in Manchester on Saturday.
He told me: “I will be ready for the Villa date even if I have to fight on crutches. It means a lot to me.
“Performing in front of my home fans is what I want and what I have been promised by promoter Frank Warren.
“An opponent hasn’t been named yet but it will be no pushover, which is what I want, and Frank has promised me another outing before Christmas.
“Keeping busy is vital for my preparations and if all goes to plan I will be looking forward to 2009 with specific titles as my target.
“Hopefully by then I will be regarded as a contender for the British title, but if not Frank will be looking at a route to a world title shot.
“And my performance in Manchester has given me even more confidence that I can get to the top,” he added.
Macklin didn’t lose a round beating Tanzanian champion Francis Cheka 100-92. But the match was much tougher than the result suggests.
Macklin went on: “I was pleased with my performance after I settled down and found my range and timing.
“It wasn’t easy against a lanky and difficult opponent who kept switching and making life very difficult.
“But having to think and plan my strategy was a good thing. Unfortunately he caused a cut over my eye and next to my nose from a clash of heads, which has required two stitches.
“He was also as tough as nails and has the toughest chin of anybody I have fought. I caught him with some superb punches but he came back for more.
“In the ninth though I thought the referee should have stopped it. He was in desperate trouble and at one stage he rugby-tackled me into the ropes just to hang on. Credit to him he did.
“And, by the way, if my win is credited to Denton Vassell it’s because I was wearing his shorts. I left mine in the hotel and there was no time to go back and get them.
“Instead of saying ‘Macklin’ in green they said ‘Vassell’ in blue.
“We had a good laugh in the end and I thought to myself – ‘I have done it all now!’”
