EL MAACHI AND MCDONAGH FIRE AT THE PRIZEFIGHTER WELTERWEIGHTS II WEIGH-IN

Posted on | June 6, 2011 | No Comments

Eight contenders for Tuesday night ready for York Hall showdown

The eight contenders for Prizefighter Welterweights II live on Sky Sports 2 and HD2 at 8pm tomorrow night (June 7) weighed-in today – with rivals Yassine El Maachi and Peter McDonagh exchanging words before their quarter-final clash.

El Maachi and McDonagh meet in the fourth bout of the night and the pair goaded each other as they hit the scales. The winner of their grudge match will face the winner of Colin Lynes and Bobby Gladman in the second semi-final, and former British and European champ Lynes reckons that Prizefighter is a make or break night for his career.

It’s a second attempt at Prizefighter glory for Lynes after he lost in the Light-Welterweight final to Gavin Rees in 2009. After his runner-up showing in the tournament he challenged Ajose Olusegun for the Commonwealth title in April 2010 and was knocked out in the eighth by the champ, but he bounced back with a tight points triumph against Bradley Pryce in February.

“If I don’t do well in this, you could ask ‘where does someone like me go?’ but I’m not even asking that question,” said Lynes. “I’ve been in Prizefighter before and that’s an advantage and I’m feeling really good right now after eight weeks solid training.

“I was thrown straight back in after losing to Olusegun, there was no warm-up fights, and I did a number on Pryce. I was in the gym within three months of the Olusegun fight. I was helping out Paul McCloskey with some sparring over in Belfast and that proved to me I still had it.

“I then changed my training regime and went with Jimmy Tibbs. It’s given me a new lease of life and I feel a young man again.

“I’ve got great movement and am throwing punches accurately. Age has never been a problem for me and I will go on as long as my body tells me I can, and right now I’m feeling great.”

Kevin McIntyre faces John-Wayne Hibbert in the opening bout of the night and the winner will face either Nathan Graham or former WBC World champion Junior Witter in the first semi-final.

There are a very limited number of tickets available for Prizefighter Welterweights II, priced at £35 unreserved. For availability call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.

Prizefighter Welterweights II weigh-in results

Kevin McIntyre (10st 8lb 15oz) v John-Wayne Hibbert (10st 9lb)

Junior Witter (10st 8lb 2oz) v Nathan Graham (10st 9lb)

Colin Lynes (10st 8lb 2oz) v Bobby Gladman (10st 8lb 2oz)

Yassine El Maachi (10st 8lb 14oz) v Peter McDonagh (10st 8lb 6oz)

Reserves:

Chas Symonds (10st 8lb 14oz) and James Flinn (10st 8lb 6oz)