Nearly all eyes might be fixed on the Bad Blood confrontation between Lewis Ritson and Robbie Davies Jnr in Newcastle, but watch out for another Geordie involved in an eliminator –Lawrence Osueke.
While Ritson indulges in a WBA world light-welterweight eliminator with his arch-rival, from Liverpool, there is an intriguing British light-heavyweight eliminator for Osueke, who takes on Ricky Summers at the Utilita Arena.
It’s a clash between two thirty-somethings, but do not put this down as a meeting between boxers on the wrong side of the hill.
Summers, 32, is a former British title challenger desperate for another shot at one of the most famous belts in the sport.
Osueke, just four months his junior, is a boxer on the up after reeling off nine straight wins.
A very successful amateur with boxing in the blood – his uncle, Manny Burgo was a top 10 British heavyweight – Lawrence looks a class operator.
“It’s a good step up for me at this stage of my career,” said Osueke. “He’s a hungry fighter, I’m a hungry fighter, it’s going to be an interesting fight and a fight that I think I’m going to come through and win.
“We’ve been looking to step up for a while and when the opportunity came to box on another big Matchroom show we took it.”
Under manager, Steve Wraith, and coach Nik Gitus, the Wallsend Boxing Academy-trained light-heavy has made excellent progress.
Osueke has yet to be tested and has not boxed a fighter as ‘live’ as Summers, but that does not mean he is not ready for this. He is.
“I’m always confident,” he said. “You’re in the wrong game if you’re not confident.
“It’s a step up in terms of being a 10- rounder which I haven’t done before.
“He’s more experienced than me so it is a step up but it’s a step up that I’m more than ready for.
“He’s right up there in the domestic light-heavy scene.
“He’s got a decent ranking, he’s fought some decent guys. He took Frank Buglioni the distance when he fought him for the British title. A win over him will definitely elevate my career.
“The aim is to keeping on building and aim for the top as always. Everyone is going to see the best of me with a better opponent in there.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
