BLACKPOOL boxer Brian Rose is stepping up his training routine for an eagerly-awaited clash with former world champion Vivian ‘Vicious’ Harris in his hometown next month.
Rose will be at Weeton Barracks on Wednesday, when he will be joining squaddies in a workout. The clock is ticking to his clash with Harris at the Winter Gardens on October 5.
The 26-year-old has put his defence of the British light-middleweight title on hold in order to showcase his talent in front of his Blackpool supporters against a boxer still regarded as dangerous.
Rose’s trainer Bobby Rimmer said: “Brian has sparred more rounds for this than any other fight. There are some really good fighters coming through locally and we want to put Blackpool at the forefront of the boxing scene. The Winter Gardens bill is really big for Blackpool boxing.”
Rimmer said of Rose’s visit to Weeton: “It will be a thank you to the soldiers for all they do. Some of the Army lads will drum Brian into the ring in Blackpool.
“His nickname is The Lion and their regimental mascot is Rory The Lion, so it is very appropriate.”
Rose will share a bill with local fighters Matty Askin, Adam Little and Scott Cardle. The last-named, formerly a member of the GB elite amateur squad, will be having his first professional fight on the Fylde. Cardle has been training in the US.
Cruiserweight Askin aims to get back to winning ways after losing to Jon-Lewis Dickinson in an eliminator for the British title.
Little, who is trained by Ricky Hatton, will aim to protect his unbeaten record.
He said: “All the lads on the Blackpool show are top- quality and I’m sure we will all make Blackpool proud.”
One absentee will be Jack Arnfield, the unbeaten Preesall light-middle. He had been due to box for the Central Area title on the show but trainer Rimmer said: “Jack has a torn a muscle in his chest. He is devastated at missing out on his first title fight but the doctor said he could not risk it.
“Jack will probably box next in December, when Brian is likely to defend his title against Sam Webb.”
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