Boxer Rose at his best for Battle of Blackpool, vows trainer

Bobby Rimmer (left), who trained Brian Rose for a world title shot three years ago, says his man has never trained better

Both boxers have made their final preparations for a fight dubbed ‘The Battle Of Blackpool’, in which local pride as well as Arnfield’s World Boxing Association international middleweight belt are at stake.

Rose has sparred more than 70 rounds and completed the final serious work at the weekend with a session on the body belt at his own gym in Blackpool town centre.

Rimmer said: “It is a fight everyone is excited about and it will get more exciting as the fight gets nearer.”

“Brian has sparred 76 rounds with loads of good lads. It is an exciting fight and it will get even more exciting this week in the build-up.”

Among the boxers with whom Rose sparred was David Brophy, who travelled to Australia last week and claimed the Commonwealth super-middleweight title after stopping Zac Dunn in seven rounds.

The Rose camp hope that result is a significant pointer in his favour when he takes on his friend and one-time training partner Arnfield on Saturday.

Rimmer said: “Everything has gone great. There are no problems with the weight and things could not have gone any better.

“We have done different things in camp and sparred more rounds than ever before.

“People can look forward to seeing the best of Brian Rose. He has put Blackpool back on the boxing map and this is a new challenge for him.”

Rimmer now has his base in Blackpool and is hoping to add to his team of local fighters.

He said: “I am settled in the town now and I will be looking to help young boxers from Blackpool, who are coming through the amateur ranks and thinking of turning professional.”