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Askin set for thriller with Attila
Boxing at Tower Circus. Pictured is Matty Askin.
BOXING trainer Bob Shannon reckons his charge Matty Askin is treading hazardous ground when he confronts Hungarian Attila Palko in an intriguing cruiserweight encounter at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium tomorrow, writes STEVE SIMPSON.
Ten of the Hungarian’s 12 wins have come by way of knockout, and Askin’s rival remains something of a mystery man as the Blackpool boxer’s camp can’t find any TV footage of the East European.
But the written evidence makes a compelling case for Shannon’s warning about the Hungarian’s likely potency. The Askin team are confident he can maintain his 100 per cent record but are respectful of Palko’s knockout rate.
Shannon said: “No matter what calibre of opponent he has faced, to win so many by knockout shows this is a very dangerous opponent.
“It is a dangerous fight and the Hattons (promoters) are testing Matty to the limit to see if he can go up to English and British title level, which I am sure he can.
“Palko must have a tremendous punch – but so has Matty. We think Palko is going to attack in the first two rounds, and Matty has to be careful and work behind his jab. It probably won’t go the distance.”
Shannon only recently joined the South Shore fighter’s corner and the trainer has seen plenty of improvement. He added: “This is my third fight with him. First time, Matty wanted to take out his opponent with a big right hand but he has since shown he can vary it with hooks and uppercuts.
“Brian Rose became a champion for Blackpool when he beat one of my fighters, Prince Arron, and I think the town will have another one soon in Matty.”
On the same bill, Bury’s Scott Quigg defends his British super-bantamweight title against Jamie Arthur and could move on to a world title eliminator if he wins.
The unbeaten Quigg is ranked third in the latest IBF and WBA ratings, far higher than any of his domestic rivals.
Hatton Promotions’ director of boxing Richard Poxon is in talks with various global contacts for a bout that could see Quigg become a mandatory challenger for a world title.
Quigg, 23, insists the chances of mixing it with some of the 122lb division’s best will help him focus more on his 12-round clash against Arthur.
Also in action on tomorrow’s cracking card is former Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe, who boxes Argentinian Jose Saez in a non-title eight rounder.
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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