Darren Surtees hopes his second appearance at a Summer Rumble can provide the springboard to fly up the boxing rankings.
The 23-year-old must avoid the banana skin which is William Warburton when he stars on the Stadium of Light Sunday afternoon bonanza on July 1.
For all ‘Warby’ might possess a rather lopsided record, he can fight when he wants to and ‘Dazzla’ knows there can be no mistakes at Sunderland’s ground.
“If I can’t beat Warburton I’m going no where,” said the Thornley tornado.
“Beating him is key to moving on to the bigger stage.
“He’s a tough lad but I believe I can beat anyone.
“I’m giving weight and experience away so looking forward to the test.”
Surtees burst onto the scene in stunning fashion with sevens victories from seven, five inside the distance via those dynamite fists, his last win being a cracking Northern Area title triumph over Ross Jameson in Houghton last May.
The Dave Binns-trained light-welterweight has seen his rapid progress slowed by a year out of the ring with Lady Luck very much absent from his corner.
Injury cost him an appearance on ITV on the World Super Series show in Liverpool, a mouth-watering derby with old pal, Anth Hardy, fell through, while he was ruled out of the March show at Rainton Meadows after the British Boxing Board of Control did not pass his medical.
But now the BBBC have given him the all clear that is all water under the bridge and ‘Dazzla’ has proved his fitness at the East Durham College gym with sparring sessions with his team-mates, not to mention British lightweight champion, Lewis Ritson.
“It’s all going well now,” he said. “The injuries were all one after another but we will be all right for Sunday.
“I’ve done plenty of sparring with Glenn Foot, Tom and Joe Hill and Lewis Ritson.
“I’m enjoying it and can’t wait for next Sunday.”
Redcar’s Hills are both on the Phil Jeffries and Steve Wraith event, along with Trimdon boxer, Terry Tyers, who is now fighting out of Imran Naeem’s Stockton gym.
The rest of the bill has a strong Tyne flavour with Joe Laws and Terry Wilkinson making debuts with Chrissy Atkinson, Lawrence Osueke and Kris Pilkington also in action.
Words: Roy Kelly
