Never pick on a Cumbrian. Certainly not a Barrow boy.
But that is exactly what Serge Michel has done at the Golden Contract light-heavyweight semi-finals – he has picked on Liam Conroy.
And the 28-year-old is not complaining one bit and is going all out to win this England v Germany confrontation in London on Saturday, September 30.
“The fact Michel thinks I’m the one he has the best chance against makes me so hungry,” declared Conroy.
You would have to say it promises to be the biggest night of Liam’s career to date, given it will be shown live on Sky Sports and live in North America on ESPN+.
Victory over ‘The Bavarian Sniper’ would put him within touching distance of glory in MTK’s ground-breaking competition but of untold riches. That Golden Contract awaiting the winner is some prize.
One of the unique aspects of the Golden Contract is that one competitor receives the golden ball and the opportunity to choose his opponent.
German star Michel got the golden ball and picked Conroy.
“I was pleased with the draw,” said the former Northern Area and English light-heavyweight champion.
“I would have been pleased whichever way it went but finally getting an opponent to think about has lit a fire in me. Now I have someone to picture when visualising the fight.
“Being picked has given me an extra little boost in training because Serge chose me.
“I think our styles gel well and it makes for a good fight, but I can only see me winning at the end of it.”
Confidence counts for so much and it’s great to hear the Barrovian has the self-belief.
It will be required at the famous York Hall. Michel is not known as the ‘Sniper’ for nothing.
Seven of the 32-year-old’s 10 wins have come inside the distance and his solitary loss came against veteran Canadian, Ryan Ford, who gave Joshua Buatsi a tough examination last year in London.
Michel is not only a former German champion but represented his country at the 2016 Olympics in Rio though all this does not faze Conroy, whose own record of 18-5-1 (9 KOs) is hardly shabby.
“I’m so excited,” he said. “It’s been a long few months over lockdown since the cancellation last time and I’ve just been dying to fight the whole time.
“I’m so lucky MTK have put this on behind closed doors.
“I know Michel was an Olympian so he must be a high standard of boxer, but apart from that I don’t know too much about him.
“I’m expecting it to be a real 50-50 and coming towards the back end of the fight my desire will be shown.”
This big MTK event, in association with Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank, will showcase the light-welterweight and featherweight finals, as Ohara Davies meets Tyrone McKenna and Ryan Walsh takes on Jazza Dickens.
The other light-heavyweight semi-final sees Hosea Burton travel to Latvia to take on Ricards Bolotniks on September 26, with that fight broadcast live on IFL TV.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
