Dacres vows to “pick his opponent apart”

Solomon Dacres faces the press at yesterday’s conference

SOLOMON Dacres – described by Eddie Hearn as the heavyweight division’s sleeping giant – is a man mountain very comfortable in the media spotlight.

I was impressed by the English champ’s conduct during the press conference for his seventh pro outing.

Solomon, from Warley and trained by Max McCracken, was relaxed, articulate and approachable during yesterday’s (Thursday’s) gathering at Birmingham’s Grand Hotel. And a lot of members of the media wanted a piece of him.

The 29-year-old appears made for the big occasion.

On Saturday, on Matchroom’s “Nxt Gen” show at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, Dacres faces South African Chris Thompson, something of an unknown commodity and winner of 12 of 17 (one draw).

Southpaw Thompson certainly cuts an imposing figure. He is the size and build of a fridge freezer.

It’s Dacres first bout in Birmingham for seven years. Tickets to witness his return have sold like proverbial hot cakes. After Thompson, much bigger things await Solomon.

Dacres (left) looked very comfortable in media spotlight

“I’m ready to go at any level,” he told the press corp present. “I’ve sparred all the world champions. I want to fight and win titles, I don’t want to pad records. When Dillian Whyte pulled out (he was due to fight Anthony Joshua, but failed a drugs test), we put my name straight in. I like to win things against opponents who want to win things, too.

“Hopefully, my man (Thompson) is game, willing and wants a big win. I’ll pick him apart.

“For myself and Galal (Galal Yafai tops Saturday’s bill), we want to showcase the talent we have in the city. We have fighters who can become world champions, British champions…”

Chris Thompson…South African has been handed big opportunity

For Thompson, Saturday represents an opportunity to gatecrash the heavyweight party.

“Solomon Dacres is the current English champion,” he said. “I know I’ve got to take the opportunity with both hands. We didn’t come in as an opponent, we came to win. That’s what I’ll do on Saturday night.

“I do have a lot of speed, I have heavy hands, I’ve got it all. We’ll deal with whatever Solomon brings on the night.”