Underdog v top dog, England v France, Thornley v Toulouse
Dress it up how you like, Friday night’s Golden Contract quarter-final between Darren Surtees and Mohamed Mimoune is a contest way too fascinating to miss.
On paper, the 10-round light-welterweight confrontation at London’s York Hall is a complete miss-match.
Mimoune is a world-rated boxer, number nine with the WBC who last time out went the distance with the ‘Iceman’ Viktor Postol in Las Vegas.
Before his defeat to the Ukraine star, the 31-year-old had won seven title bouts on the spin at France, European and IBO world level. It goes without saying he is extremely good, as his record of 21-3 shows.
But this is boxing and being a two-horse race Surtees has a chance. Of course he does.
Those who have watched the 25-year-old know how good and sharp he is and the Golden Contract gives him the stage his talent deserves.
Surtees knows the size of the task ahead of him but he also knows he is a good boxer and a hard puncher in his own right.
That steely self-belief may serve him well in Bethnal Green while the Dave Binns-trained star has also received some inside help via East Durham College stablemate Tom Hill, who has sparred with the Frenchman.
“I’ve studied him and Tom has sparred with him,” said Dazzla pictured right next to Mohamed.
“He’s the most experienced, most proven one here, I’ve got the hardest draw.
“I’m not just a puncher. When I get in there I can box. I boxed at an elite level in the amateurs, so I’ll prove on the night I have those skills.
Watch Darren’s full interview on IFLTV here
“Dave knows how good I am, I know how good I am. It’s now about showing that.”
There is, of course, the not-so-small incentive of a very expensive promotional deal awaiting the winner of the Golden Contract.
But the Thornley fighter says his sights are only set on the boxer known as ‘The Problem’.
“I’m not looking past this man,” said Darren in an interview with IFLTV. “I believe I have the tools to beat him. I’m not coming here to be turned over, I’m coming to win.”
Well said Darren, get in there.
Surtees v Mimoune is the second quarter-final tie following on from Kieran Gething v Jeff Ofori with Mikey Sakyi v Tyrone McKenna and Ohara Davies v Logan Yoon to follow.
It’s all on Sky Sports from 7.30pm.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: MTK Global
