Underdog tag suits Stubbs

Boxing

SHAW boxer Darren Stubbs is relishing being underdog for the £25,000 winners’ prize in the ‘Prizefighter’ knockout.

The 37-year-old HGV lorry driver will be an outsider when he enters the ring at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Friday night.

The event features eight light-heavyweight boxers in a one-night knockout, with bouts lasting three rounds of three minutes.

Stubbs, a member of Jack Doughty’s Tara stable at Shaw, has been drawn against former English light-heavyweight champion Steve Spartacus in the quarter-final.

It has the ingredients to be a keenly-contested bout with both boxers having similar records.

Stubbs, the International Masters light-heavyweight champion, has won 17 of his 21 bouts while the record of Spartacus in 19 victories from 23 fights.

Doughty said: “Darren is way down the betting, which means he is not expected to win. That suits Darren to the ground as he can go out and enjoy himself without being under any pressure.

“His preparations have gone well, including two good sparring sessions with professional Matthew Macklin, and he believes he can cause an upset.”

The bookmakers have Courtney Fry, who had an excellent amateur record before turning professional, as the favourite along with Tony Oakey, the former British, WBU and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion.

The Prizefighter knockout is being televised live on Sky Sports on Friday night.