Eggington plans to put best Foot forward
Stourbridge's Sam Eggington and British welterweight title rival Glenn Foot can agree on one thing about their contest this weekend.
Eggington puts up his Commonwealth crown for the first time and vies for the Lonsdale belt with Foot at the Manchester Arena,
'The Savage' has scrapped his way into championship contention with some gutsy displays while the undefeated Foot, who won Prizefighter in 2013, has matched his 15 paid wins.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn reckons the Eggington-Foot bout could knock spectators and Sky Sports viewers dead tomorrow night, tweeting: "It's an absolute Fight of the Year contender."
And Eggington is expecting the bout to "catch fire" although he won't be going out swinging, looking to catch his Mackem foe with the meat in his gloves later on.
The 21-year-old reckons he can make a splash on the big stage again, after spending a good portion of his training camp in the pool!
He said: "Glenn is strong, he comes forward and he likes a fight, so it should be a real tear-up.
"I've put all the work in so I can go 12 rounds – whether he's chasing me or I'm chasing him, it's going to catch fire, at some point.
"Something we've been working on in particular with this camp is to keep my power throughout the fight. Unlike most punchers - who go for the kill early, I've stopped my last few mid-to-late.
"Denton Vassell was round eight, Singleton was the fifth and Lamptey for the Commonwealth was in the seventh, so the proof is there.
"I've incorporated some swimming in this camp, as I wanted to mix it up with my training. As hard as swimming is, it's really good for your stamina and conditioning.
"I've definitely noticed an improvement there in sparring. This camp has consisted mainly of that, running and my usual strength and conditioning."
They clashed at yesterday's weigh in at the Cathedral Gardens in Manchester, with Eggington laughing off Foot sticking his head in his face.
Foot is expecting the battle at close quarters that could make for great entertainment this evening - and won't be backing down.
He's planning to take the "buzz" out of Eggington with his own power, in the belief that 'the Savage' has yet to be in with anyone at the top of their game who can maul him back.
Frustrating periods of inactivity have marred the 27-year-old's movements since that Prizefighter on Black Country turf in January 2013, boxing on average twice a year since.
On that fateful evening at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, Foot's rugged pressing style saw off Steven Pearce, Chad Gaynor and Dale Evans - the latter beating a raw Eggington in his opening fight.
Had he been busier since then, there's every chance Foot would have had the chance to become only the second British champion from Sunderland, after Billy Hardy, before now.
Foot said: "Sam likes to come forward, so we'll go toe-to-toe for 12 rounds. He's starting to come up the ranks. There's a bit of buzz about him.
"I think that when he gets a live opponent who can punch, he's in for a shock. It's going to be a tough fight because he's fit and durable – but he doesn't know what he's in for tomorrow night.
"I'll show in this fight what I can actually do. I've got too much for him. Look at his amateur pedigree next to mine. I can fight, I can box. I can do whatever I want."
This weekend's co-main event will see Anthony Crolla get his shot at the WBA world lightweight title, while Scott Quigg defends the organisation's super bantam crown for the fifth time.
The hometown heroes will take centre stage when Crolla tackles interim champion Darleys Perez, while Quigg takes on experienced former IBF boss Kiko Martinez.
Tyrone Nurse also vies with Chris Jenkins for the vacant British light welter strap, while multi-time world title challenger Martin Murray steps up to super middle for a run-out.
