Ryan Rhodes confident of winning European title

SHEFFIELD boxing great Ryan Rhodes was in confident mood of regainig his European title tonight in a clash with Ricky Hatton trained Belarussian Sergey Rabchenko, writes Graham Walker.

European title clash: Sheffield's Ryan Rhodes, right, faces up to Sergey Rabchenko at the weigh-in ahead of their clash for vacant European light-middleweight championship on  Hatton Promotions Road To Glory bill. Photo: Mark Robinson.

They both weighed in at 10st 13lb 7oz (153lb 7oz) ahead of their vacant European light-middleweight title clash.

And Rhodes, aged 35, said he’s fighting fit to put on a great show against 26-year-old Rabchenko.

“I know what he can do and I treat all my opponents with respect. But I’m winning that belt tonight,’’ Rhodes promised his army of Sheffield fans.

“I feel in great shape and it’s going to be an entertaining fight.”

Rhodes’ fellow steel city fighter Richard Towers tipped the scales at 16st 12lb (236lb) for his vacant EU heavyweight title clash against Gregory Tony. Frenchman Tony weighed 16st 13lb (237lb)

Main event on the Hatton promoted Road To Glory event is Scott Quigg up against Rendall Munroe for the vacant WBA interim world super-bantamweight title at Manchester Velodrome.

Quigg was slightly heavier at 8st 9lb 12oz (121lb 12oz) while Munroe weighed 8st 9lb 10oz (121lb 10oz).

As they posed for picture Munroe unleashed a verbal barrage at Quigg who laughed off the pre-fight taunts.

Unbeaten Quigg is the bookies favourite and the Bury star said: “I am the one who has it all to prove, but I am one million per-cent confident I can beat Rendall.

“He’s going to pressure me, but I have got a good defence and I haven’t dedicated myself to boxing since I was a kid to fail now.

“Beat Rendall and I am up there among the very best in the division and looking at even bigger fights.”

Former European champion and world champion Munroe knows it will be a long climb back to world level it he loses against the British title holder.

He said: “Since I gave up work last year I have had a lot more time to work on things like strength and conditioning and I am sure I will reap the rewards against Scott.

“He is a good kid, but I have been at elite level for a long time and I don’t think he is ready to step up just yet.”

British middleweight champion Martin Murray and French title holder Karim Achour both weighed bang on the middleweight limit of 11st 6lb (160lb) ahead of their non-title ten rounder

Other fights on the bill: Craig Watson v Tomasz Mazurciewicz, Lucas Browne v Hastings Rasani, Adam Etches v Ferenc Zold, Scott Jenkins v Kristian Laight, Adam Little v Dee Mitchell, Kallum De’Ath v Anwar Alfadi and Louis Norman v Delroy Spencer.

* All VIP and ringside tickets have been sold. The remaining tickets are available priced at £55, £35 and £30, but are limited. You can purchase tickets by calling Hatton Promotions hotline 01925 755 222/www.ticketmaster.co.uk/0844 847 2500/www.ticketline.co.uk/0844 888 4402/www.hmv.com

Source:  www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/sport/sheffield-sport/boxing-ryan-rhodes-confident-of-winning-european-title-1-4653497