Lee Glover is going out to KO 'the Kid'
Tipton's Lee Glover expects to be gun-slinging with Andy Townend when they clash for the English title live on Sky Sports tomorrow.
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The two super featherweights engage in a 10-rounder at the First Direct Arena in Leeds under the Matchroom Boxing banner, writes Craig Birch.
'The Tipton Slasher' tries to take the belt at the second attempt and fight fire for fire against the powerful Townend, known as 'the KO Kid.'
The gatekeeper from Barnsley has stopped nine opponents in his 13 wins but, as Glover points out, has been beaten three times over 16 pro bouts.
And the Black Country challenger insists he won't be fazed by reputation or home advantage on Yorkshire turf that the 22-year-old will call upon.
He's keenly aware that he may have to take the decision out of the judges' hands, having came up a round short on two out of three cards in his last English title tilt.
Jon Kays retained his crown in Oldham 18 months ago by a slender margin and, with that in mind, Glover knows he probably needs to become the first to knock Townend out.
The 28-year-old said: "I'm not worried about his power, he can come out all-guns-blazing and I'll use my boxing skills to keep him at bay.
"But this fight is in his backyard, on his promoter's show and I've already thought I'd won the title once and it's managed to get away from me.
"If I get the chance, I'll take him out of there. I know he's a strong lad but I can punch, as well. I've hurt people in the ring and I'll do it again.
"I feel that, overall, I'm the better boxer and I need to go out there and prove it now. If I do that, I'll be knocking on the door to even better things.
"Night like this are what I'm in the game for. Sometimes you thrive on pressure and I think this will bring the best out of me."
Glover has boxed in front of the Sky Sports cameras before, taking part in the first featherweight Prizefighter of October 2011 after six paid bouts.
His first outing of the tournament was a painful second round defeat at the hands of banger Choi Tseveenpurev and it had a lasting effect.
He would spend nearly two years out of the sport before shutting out journeyman Pavels Senkovs on points, then taking the fight with Kays.
He dropped both Andy Harris and Chris Adaway in subsequent title fights for the now-defunct Masters crowns, both at Walsall Town Hall.
He feels he's matured as a fighter and is keen to make up for lost time with this, potentially, the last step towards a shot at British and Commonwealth champion Liam Walsh.
Glover said: "Prizefighter, perhaps, came a bit too early for me but I had to take a chance, because of the rewards that were on offer with it.
"It took me a while before I was ready to come back and this is my chance to put things right. The Kays fight, even though I lost, put my name out there.
"And everyone will be talking about me if I can get the job done tomorrow night. That's all the incentive I need."
Glover was due to box for the English title at super feather in April, against the undefeated Issac Lowe at Blackburn's King George's Hall.
He was pulled out of the contest by the British Boxing Board of Control on fight week, having failed a check weigh-in for the contest.
He's took no chances when they came calling again this time, although the added four pounds at super feather will have certainly helped.
He said: "I'm big at feather, anyway, and I'm the sort that tends to shed a lot of weight on fight week. I felt hard done to, but had to respect it.
"This is probably the weight for me, but I feel strong at either."
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