‘Ruthless’ Ryan Doyle and Ian Bailey will contest the vacant English featherweight title after both men successfully weighed in ahead of tomorrow evening’s clash at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse (July 16).
Doyle, who drew with Isaac Lowe for the same title last year, has an added incentive when he faces Bailey after losing to the Slough fighter in 2014. That tenth round KO defeat is Ryan’s only loss in 14 pro outings and the Gorton big-hitter is determined to wipe the slate clean.
Tough guy Bailey has been in with the UK’s best – including Lee selby, Ryan Walsh, Carl Frampton and Josh Warrington – and only been stopped four times in 18 defeats. Looking to add win 14 to his ledger, Ian will be convinced he can do the double and leave Doyle’s backyard with the belt around his waist.
“My body’s in top condition and I’m raring to go,” said Doyle to VIP TV after stepping off the scales. “He’s a great fighter and I take my hat off to him.
“I feel like I’ve grown as a fighter and I’ve trained right. He’s got a lot of bottle to come to Manchester. It’s going to be a great fight; I’ve given Ian eight week’s notice – and may the best man win.”
Promoter Steve Wood said: “Their first fight was a great spectacle and this one won’t fail to be even better. Ryan was going great guns and knocking everyone out, so many people thought it was a shock when Ian beat him, but Bailey is very tough and underrated.
“Ian has been in with all the top guys and gives all of them a run for their money, and that’s at short notice. Bailey’s had a full training camp for this fight so Ryan is going to have to be at his very best, but I believe he’s learned from that defeat and will have too much this time. It will be a real battle though and one the fans will remember for a long time.”
VIP Promotions presents an evening of boxing at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on July 16.
Headlining will be Gorton’s Ryan Doyle versus Slough’s Ian Bailey for the vacant English featherweight title. The undercard will Manchester’s Joe Murray, Kallum De’Ath and Charlie Schofield; Bolton’s Rick Godding and Jack Flatley; Sale’s Ben Sheedy; Liverpool’s James Farrell; Middleton’s Warren Tansey; Darwen’s Luke Blackledge; Flixton’s John Telford; Accrington’s Artif Ali, and Heywood’s Martyn Grainger.
Tickets priced at £30 (general), £50 (ringside) are available from all boxers, or at vipboxing.tv
The show will also be streamed live and free at vipboxing.tv
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