BELL READY TO PLAY HERO ROLE AT PRIZEFIGHTER

Posted on | November 19, 2010 | No Comments

Soap star says his amateur style will shine at York Hall

Coronation Street actor Steve Bell says his amateur success means he is destined for victory in tomorrow night’s Prizefighter Super-Featherweights (November 20).

The Manchester fighter fought over 150 times as an amateur and captained England in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in his home city, but tomorrow night he is confident he can achieve his biggest win as a professional in the 15th edition of Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournaments, live on Sky Sports 1 from 8pm.

“I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time – I’ve had a great seven or eight weeks in training and I can’t wait for tomorrow,” said Bell. “I’m more capable of winning Prizefighter than the others because of the amateur style. When I turned professional I had to change my style to pro and it hasn’t really worked, I haven’t been able to show what I can really do in my professional career. That’s why I jumped at the chance to do this as it’s perfect for my style with my speed.

“It’s been fantastic to get something like this to bring me back into boxing – it means a hell of a lot to me. I didn’t want to fight again but the Prizefighter nights before this have been great and I’m in a fantastic line-up here. When the draw came out I was thinking who do I want, but there’s no easy fight in this – it’s such a strong field.

Bell’s acting career has seen him grab a regular role on Coronation Street after featuring in Hollyoaks, Shameless and Emmerdale as well as Jimmy McGovern shows The Street and Moving On. The 35 year-old still has his eyes on a successful career on screen, but says he has enjoyed getting back in the ring and is hoping to meet the best in the strong line-up before lifting the trophy and pocketing the £32,000 winner’s cheque.

“I’ve always boxed and acted at the same time – I’ve been really busy but mixing the two together has been great,” said Bell. “I’d love to beat the British champion (Gary Sykes) and also Choi who has a version of the world title, those two look the men to beat but don’t knock any of the others – Gary McArthur is a classy southpaw and Derry Mathews has an amateur style that could nick it, you want to steer clear of them.”

The action starts at 8pm on Sky Sports 1 but for fans who are unable to watch the action on TV or at York Hall, Boxing News will be reporting live from east London and can be followed through this link:

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/live/

Prizefighter Super-Featherweights draw (with weights)

Choi Tseveenpurev (9st 5lb) v Ben Murphy (9st 5 ½lb)
Gary McArthur (9st 5 ½lb) v Derry Matthews (9st 6lb)
Gary Sykes (9st 5lb) v Scott Lawton (9st 3 ¾lb)
Steve Bell (9st 5lb 5oz) v Gary Buckland (9st 5 ¾lb)