Another night in the lion’s den for Fields

Winning partnership…Ben Fields and trainer Shaun Cogan

ANOTHER day, another dance with the devil for Digbeth hardman Ben Fields.

On Saturday the remarkable light-welter again marches into the lion’s den to face Jack Rafferty for the vacant Commonwealth silver belt, which is yet another addition to professional boxing’s mound of titles.

It’s another contest against an unbeaten boxer tipped for big things, another contest in the other man’s backyard – this time Liverpool’s Olympia, another contest with odds stacked against the 33-year-old.

In a 29 fight career, Fields has been there, done that, worn the t-shirt many times. And he’s made the bookies eat humble pie on numerous occasions.

On paper, he shouldn’t beat Rafferty, who carries the ring name “Demolition Man”. On canvas, where Fields throws punches virtually non-stop, it’s a very different story.

He is strong as an ox, possesses a sound chin and has stamina to burn.

He and trainer Shaun Cogan are grabbing every lucky talisman they can lay hands on. Three years ago, Ben claimed the Midlands title while wearing the shorts Shaun wore when competing for the same belt all those years ago.

This time he’ll enter the Olympia ring with the shorts Cogan wore when boxing for the Commonwealth title.

In Manchester’s Rafferty, he faces a 27-year-old who has won all 20 contests, 11 by stoppage.

He is, Cogan conceded, “dangerous”, but added: “There are no names on his record, no one anyone knows.

“I’ve watched him a few times, he’s come down from 11-and-a-half stone. He’s very tough, sharp and hits hard with both hands, but Ben has boxed people like him before, Kaisee Benjamin and Sam Maxwell.”

Fields received the opportunity at four weeks notice after original opponent Lee Appleyard pulled out through injury.

But he was already preparing for the contest as a substitute should Lee be forced to withdraw.

Cogan’s foresight proved spot-on.

“Ben’s still hungry, he hasn’t got many miles on the clock,” Cogan said. “He’s done a year on the white collar circuit and four as a pro. Most his age have been a pro for about a decade.

“I’m not stupid, we know it’s a tough fight, it’s a hard, hard fight, but Ben is going there to win.”

Ben always does.

And anyone who’s witnessed the man’s ring heroics, would be loathed to bet against him.