Berry to face rugged Mexican at Excelsior

Nyall Berry looks to gain his ninth victory in Cannock on Thursday

NYALL Berry, the featherweight with heavy firepower in either fist, will face Mexican Hector Avila Lozano at the Excelsior Sporting Club this Thursday (June 22).

Last night’s announcement is the culmination of a frustrating search for an opponent for the Chelmsley Wood prospect.

Find fighters to face Berry, who has won eight on the spin, is proving increasingly difficult.

The 23-year-old had hoped to fight for the Midlands title at Scott Murray’s club, based at the businessman’s Premier Suite, Cannock, base. Then the search began for a suitable candidate to face Nyall in an English title eliminator.

Lozano may have won only one of eight (one draw), but he’s a good test for Berry over six rounds. The 25-year-old is tough, game and, like so many Mexican fighters, works the body well.

I saw him fight unbeaten Wolverhampton prospect Gully Powar in April. He pushed Powar all the way before losing on points.

If Berry can prevent him from hearing the final bell, he makes a statement.

Thursday’s card – the second instalment of Scott’s plush sporting club - looks a cracker.

Former world junior champ Ray Moylette, from Ireland, is set for a war against Stoke’s Jamie Stewart, former Midlands welter champ.

Ollie Cooper…local lad being backed by the Excelsior

I’m pleased the Excelsior is providing a platform for Cannock’s own middleweight Ollie Cooper, exceptionally tall for the weight at 6ft 4ins.

With five wins on the spin – all on points over the apprentice four round distance – the 22-year-old is one to watch.

He was to have faced experienced Dwain Grant on the bill, but is now pitted against rugged Pavol Garaj.

That’s a decent test for Ollie. Garaj has mixed in good company, is experienced with 52 bouts under his belt (seven wins, four draws) and is nigh on impossible to budge. Only one opponent has prevented him hearing the final bell.

In short, Garaj knows how to handle himself.

The Slovakian was recently in action at Planet Ice, Solihull, and took English title challenger River Wilson-Bent the six round distance.

We’ll know a lot more about Cooper after the bout.

Birmingham newcomer Davian Daniel also takes part in his second pro bout on the bill. The 20-year-old welter hasn’t fought since outpointing journeyman MJ Hall in his debut last November.

At the Excelsior, he faces Bury Saint Edmunds’ Charlie Sheldon. It should be another victory for Daniel: Sheldon has yet to win in 14 (one draw), but has suffered only one inside distance defeat.

*For further details on the Excelsior Club, ring 01543 572092.