Manny Zaber sees the light in the pros
Cradley Heath's Manny Zaber is looking to put on a show and prove that will beats skill when he boxes at Walsall Football Club tonight.
The Stadium Suite at the Banks's is again his arena this weekend as it was for his last outing in June,
The lightweight from Old Hill moved to 2-0 as a professional, outpointing wily veteran Matt Seawright as he did to the experienced Qasim Hussain on his debut.
Now it's the capable Joe Beeden, again over four rounds, on a bill where boxing legend Ricky Hatton will work the corner for three of his fighters.
Wednesbury's Sam Evans and Reuben Arrowsmith both debut under Hatton's stewardship, while the unbeaten Anthony Upton also appears.
All of the fighters will be looking to do the two-weight world champion justice with their performances and Zaber has a point to prove, too.
The 20-year-old is practically a novice having come into the sport from the unlicensed game, but thinks sheer aggression and sharp punching are his base to build from.
The Black Country's 'Pac Man' - with the real thing a Hatton conqueror - has vowed to take the fight to his opponents, starting with Beeden.
He said: "Nothing compares to when you step through those ropes. You can do all the training in the world, but it's a different story when you're in there on the night.
"Sparring is the closest thing to it but, even then, you have to step it up a level when the actual fight comes around.
"It was a great atmosphere at the Banks's last time. It's a nice little venue, because everyone is on top of you and you really feel the crowd.
"I'm glad I got the chance to thank all of my supporters, as well, because without them I wouldn't be able to box.
"I'll always try and put a show on for the people that pay their hard earned money to come and watch me fight. I want to give all of them their money's worth.
"Of course, it's about winning but it's about entertaining, as well."
Zaber has seen nothing yet to trouble him in the pro game, adding: "I know that once I start climbing up the ladder, I'll come up against better fighters than me.
"I've got no amateur experience, at all, so they'll be slicker but they won't be fight with the same intensity as I do.
"Naturally, you get nervous when you turn up on the night but I try and use that to my advantage. It keeps my head on the job.
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"I love coming forward and I'm sure I'll get a knockout sooner or later, as well. If it comes this time around then it comes but, at the moment, I just want to keep winning.
"It doesn't really matter who I am up against, to be honest. If I turn up on the night, perform like I know I can and do my job right there's no way I'm getting beat."
Stourbridge's Steven Pearce tops the bill in a six-rounder against Lithuanian Arvydas Trizno, who will be taking part in his 69th paid contest at the age of just 26.
It's the last tune-up test for 30-year-old Pearce, before he challenges Adam Little for the English welterweight title in Blackpool on December 12.
Evans debuts against Zaurs Sadihovs, while Arrowsmith also turns over with Stourbridge's Kevin McCauley in the other corner.
Upton could go the longest distance of the night against Liam Richards over eight. Midlands light welterweight champion Andy Keates returns to the venue of his title win to face Seawright.
The show is completed by Stoke's Kieron McLaren, who shares a ring with Brummie veteran Jason Nesbitt.
Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are available by calling the Walsall FC Box Office on 01922 651 414-416 or 07875 653 842. Some will be on the door tonight.
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