Express & Star

Walsall's Daniel Breeze loves being a pro

Walsall's Daniel Breeze today claimed he has no regrets about his paid journey as he prepares for his second pro bout at Aston Villa Football Club's Holte Suite.

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The talented welterweight turned over at just 18 after national glory in the amateur ranks, winning a bona-fide title in the junior ABAs last year.

Such success normally warrants an international call-up but he chose to punch for pay instead which, despite his tender years, has started on a winning note.

'The Hurricane' easily outpointed Matthew Ashmole at the same venue on his pro bow in July and is back at the same venue on Saturday night, ready to tackle Harjinder Gill.

Dreams of excelling for his country end when you pull on a paid glove, but the former Walsall Wood prospect is adamant it was the right call as the amateur game undergoes a major revamp.

He said: "The time was right for me to turn pro, although I would have probably been in the Emerging Talents squad if I had waited, but I still have no regrets.

"That was an initiative that was announced the same week as I signed my pro forms but, deep down, I knew that it really wasn't going to change anything.

"There's too much politics in the amateurs. I knew that when I boxed Reuben Arrowsmith, who I beat after he had been out for a year and he still got picked over me.

"People say I am too young to turn pro, but there's no head-guards in the amateurs now anyway. You are risking a cut now every time you step in there, just like the pros.

"That sort of damage can stop you turning over, with things like scar tissue and so on. It's a long career, I had 75 amateur fights and that's already a lot of time in the ring.

"I can understand it's geared up for boxing at a higher level, but they forget not everyone is destined to be an international."

Gill, like Breeze, has dined at the top table in the unpaid code, a former champion in the old ABA Novice competition.

The Londoner comes to fight or be shot down, with Breeze saying: "We have upped things in training since my last fight, so I know now that fitness won't be a problem.

"That was in the back of my mind last time, as it is for anybody making their debut. I am excited and I know he was a national champion, like me, in the amateurs.

"He's obviously got a bit of experience and will come to have a go, which will be good to watch.

"It's no good fighting journeyman, who try to tie you up. I don't want opponents who come into hold, which isn't entertainment for the people who come to watch you.

"I want to get in there and put on a show, mainly I want to show people that I can hit. I sold 198 tickets last time and there will probably be a few more this time.

"It was a brilliant atmosphere last time and now we are back, which is great as I enjoying boxing there. I want a stoppage this time, I am going to try and force it."

For tickets to watch Breeze's second pro bout at the weekend, call 07811 744 193.

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