Rob Norton will take on all comers
Tuesday 24th May 2011, 8:00AM BST.
Stourbridge’s Rob Norton has drawn up a hit list as he aims to get the job done as British cruiserweight champion.
Norton won the British belt – but lost his day job.
The 39-year-old reduced his personal training commitments believing he would be too busy training for fights – but has spent 16 months out of the boxing ring.
The British Boxing Board of Control have ordered the southpaw, now based in Kidderminster, to defend his belt against 42-year-old Terry Dunstan, but that battle of ring veterans seems unlikely to happen.
Sky Sports are not interested in showing the fight and that has left Norton looking elsewhere for challengers.
He said: “It’s become a nightmare. I thought winning the British title would bring in an income, so I gave up the personal training.
“Also, I didn’t think I would have the time to train anyone because I would be too busy preparing for fights.
“But that just hasn’t happened. I’ve been accused of just holding onto the belt, but that’s not the case at all. The Board of Control have put names forward, but Sky don’t want to show the fights.
“They want to show me against the up-and-coming fighters and that suits me. Leon Williams says he wants a British title fight.
“He’s an exciting fighter, so let’s get it on !”
Norton also hopes the board would give the green light to matches with Prizefighter champion Jon-Lewis Dickinson, along with unbeaten Matty Askin and the winner of next month’s Midlands title fight.
Rhys Davies from Coventry and Nottingham tough-guy Shane McPhilbin go toe-to-toe for the vacant area belt at Bedworth Civic Hall on June 25 and Norton said: “A fight with either of them would be a big local derby.”
Norton has been out of the ring since drawing with David Dolan for the British and Commonwealth titles in January 2010.
He said: “I’m not being lazy and I’m not just sitting on the belts. I’m a proud champion and want to be fighting these guys.
“I was made to wait for so long to get a British title fight, there’s no way I’m going to just give up the title now.”
By Matt Bozeat
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