Mal Gates expects Anthony Nelson v Charlie Edwards to be the “fight of the night” at the Metro Radio Arena.
And the coach is confident that South Shields’ favourite sporting son has what it takes to strike gold in the night of the title at the Newcastle venue.
Nelson faces the former British champion for the vacant WBA Continental super-flyweight title on a show starring Lewis Ritson and Josh Kelly.
Many pundits expect the spoils to go to the Epsom boxer, who now bases himself in Sheffield, but Gates is quietly confident Nelson can turn the clock back two to three year when he ruled the Commonwealth.
“Anthony has tackled this head on,” said the boss of the Harton & Westoe Miners Welfare gym.
“I do think this could be the fight of the night.
“We’re really confident.
“Anthony is Anthony and he always puts 100 per cent in.
“The tactics have been worked out and we can’t wait to get in there.
“Hopefully everything will come right on the night.
“We have great respect for Charlie, he’s a talented kid, but if he thinks he only has to turn up to win, he could be in for a shock.”
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Nelson has had to graft his socks off in the build-up to this opportunity.
He weighed in at 9st 9lbs when he fought Simas Volosinas in his comeback fight at the end of April at Temple Park, when he won via a wide points margin.
That means he has had to lose the best part of a stone and a half to get down to the super-flyweight limit.
However, Gates says the camp has not just been about shedding the pounds.
The coach explained that Nella has put in the rounds in sparring to get ready to go the distance with the former European amateur bronze medalist.
“We’ve done plenty of rounds, more rounds than we’ve ever done,” he told punch-lines.
“Anthony has done 52 rounds with Stuey Hall alone and done rounds with Thomas Essomba, Tommy Ward and Sam Menzies.
“Strength and conditioning coach, Lee Tiffin, has put him through all the nutrition etc and Anthony is in brilliant sharpe.
“We’re really confident.”
Nelson is pictured right after weighing in 8st 3lbs at the Metro Centre with Edwards tipping the scales at 8st 2lb 8oz.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
