Manny Zaber is doubling the distance and dropping down the weights for his British Challenge Super Featherweight title shot on Black Country Boxing’s ‘Going for Gold’ show at Walsall Town Hall, sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on November 19th writes James Eley.
The 21-year-old is fighting for a belt in only his ninth professional contest and, despite dropping down from lightweight and jumping up to eight rounds for this bout, he is adamant he is ready for the test.
“You just know within yourself that you are ready to make that step,” he told www.uko-boxing.com. “I know that I am good enough and I have enough about me to go for the title.
“I always wanted to make this step up and I feel as good as ever so I thought I may as well go for it now. I want to be challenged. I know in my career I will be in even tougher fights than this so the sooner I can start having difficult fights the better. I will be taking my opponent fully serious for this one though because I know it is going to be hard.”
The Old Hill pugilist has changed his preparation to compete as a super featherweight and he believes it will benefit his stamina for the eight round contest.
“It is my first fight down at super featherweight so I have changed up my preparation because of that,” he confirmed. “I have been doing more running and getting the hill runs and sprints in.
“I feel fine at this weight. I am close to making the weight already and I still have a couple of weeks to go. I have had an excellent training camp and we have been mixing it up with strength training and sparring too so I am in great shape and really looking forward to it.
“I know that I definitely have the stamina to last eight rounds it is just about experience and pacing yourself correctly. I have had to make sure I am fit enough to do it because you need to be at your best in every round but I have done that and I know I will be able to last the whole fight.”
‘Pac Man’ was keen not to discuss his plans after the bout as he is completely focused on getting the Challenge Title when he steps in with Tamworth’s Josh Baillee. The undefeated fighter went on to thank his manager Errol Johnson and trainer Paul Mann for giving him the opportunity to box for the belt in front of his home fans.
“I do view this belt as a stepping stone to other titles but that doesn’t mean I will be overlooking this fight.
“This is a massive fight for me and a big step and I will need to be at my best to get the victory. I do want to get bigger shots in the future but I want to take each fight as it comes and make sure I keep focused and take it from there.
“I am really looking forward to fighting for my first title. It should be a great night and I can’t wait to get that belt in front of my home fans.
“It would mean so much because it is a big step up from me doing four rounds to eight rounds. But I know I am ready so I am thankful to Errol and my trainer Paul for getting it sorted. I have been training hard to make sure I don’t let anyone down.”
Tickets are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.
Walsall’s former British Lightweight Champion, Martin Gethin, Swadlincote’s undefeated super middleweight, Zach Parker, Chasetown lightweight, Luke Jones, West Bromwich welterweight, Tommy Loach, and Wolverhampton cruiserweight, Joshua Burke.
The weigh-in and aftershow (over 18’s only) take place at Grosvenor Casino Walsall, Bentley Mill Way, Walsall WS2 0LE (just off junction 10 of the M6). Grosvenor Casino Walsall will have a presence at the Town Hall on the evening and have linked up with local taxi firm, Yellow Taxi’s, to supply a number of free taxi’s to take guests from the Town Hall to the casino post-fight.
Find out more about GC Casino Walsall here: http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/local-casinos/walsall/
