Darren Surtees has a Problem, with a capital P. But it is one he is going to have a very good go at solving.
The unbeaten Co Durham star has been drawn against Mohamed Mimoune in Friday’s Golden Contract quarter-finals at London’s York Hall.
His rivals might dispute it, but the Frenchman, known as ‘The Problem’ is numero uno at the innovative and exciting eight-man competition.
The Frenchman, rated ninth in the World Boxing Council rankings, is unbeaten as a France, European and IBO world champ.
But all this does not faze Surtees who is relishing a crack at the 31-year-old in the East End.
“Mimoune is an ex-world IBO champion so I think he’s the best in here, and I want the best,” said the 25-year-old, from Thornley.
It is the chance of a lifetime for Surtees who has won all 12 of his contests, eight inside the distance.
While there can be no doubting Mimoune’s class, you also must not turn your back on ‘Dazla’ who has reeled off a series of highly-impressive wins in the last 15 months.
“I said at the start that I was not bothered who I was drawn with, I just want to get in there, I believe I am a potential winner,” said the boxer trained by Dave Binns and managed by Phil Jeffries.
“I want to prove to people I can box, not just fight.
“I know I’m not a fighter, I get a lot of my success on my back foot, that’s where I set my traps.”
Promoters MTK have assembled eight of the best 140lb fighters take part in the tournament, shown live on Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing, and on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank.
The other quarter-finals see Kieran Gething take on Lewis Benson, Mikey Sakyi go up against Tyrone McKenna, and Logan Yoon fights Ohara Davies.
Words: Roy Kelly
