Zak The Ripper up for the long haul

Dudley's Zak The Ripper insists he's good for the long haul after ramping up his ring time for his second professional fight at Walsall Town Hall.

'The Ripper' - real name Saquib Amir - has yet to be matched but knows he will box a four-rounder over three, rather than two, minute rounds.

The former unlicensed boxing star turned pro in a tough test against big featherweight Ryan McNicol in June and took a points win by two rounds.

The 28-year-old is still waiting to find out who will be in the other corner next Saturday, leaving him little time to swot up before fight night.

But the boxing bricklayer insists he's ready for a fight against anyone after his original opponent, Marvin Campbell, was ruled out of action.

Campbell was stopped on his pro debut on September 23 and 'the Ripper' believes he would have also got him out of there had the bout gone ahead.

He said: "It doesn't bother me who I fight, I will fight anyone, although I wouldn't have minded being the one to stop Marvin Campbell!

"I am confident that I can break down whoever I am in there with and, after having flu in my last fight, I should be at my best.

"I think the extended rounds will bring more a lot more out of me, boxing over two minutes is no good to me, really.

"With only two minutes in there, I find myself charging in looking for the big shots and that's when I tend to get caught.

"Over three minutes, I can relax and look for openings, not look to rush my work and pick my punches."

Tickets are available from Walsall Town Hall by calling 0845 111 2900 or by contacting promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.