Nico aiming to end bouts with a flourish

Nico Michael….fighting in Northampton on June 2

NICO Michael is determined to fight to the finish and secure a flawless victory in the pro ranks.

He’s out again at the Park Inn Hotel, in Northampton town centre, when BCB Promotions host their next show there, on Friday, June 2.

Michael is 2-0 going into his third pro contest, but has endured a nervy fourth and final round on each occasion, starting with his debut in November.

The 28-year-old, who grew up in Kingsthorpe, was still well enough ahead on the scorecards to secure a 39-37 points success over the now-retired Reiss Taylor.

He then took on Jake Pollard in February and again had to overcome a spirited late fightback from his opponent, prevailing by another 39-37 verdict.

Despite still being unbeaten, Michael wants a more complete performance and, at the least, to be working towards a points whitewash, having developed during his latest training camp.

His amateur career only contained 13 amateur bouts, with nine wins. He represented Northampton Boxing Club, before moving on to Kings Heath BC.

He said: “I feel like I’m getting more established. I’ve got a couple of wins and they have both brought me on in different ways, but I can’t keep losing the last round.

“Whenever you do that, you run the risk of the fight ending up a draw and, as far as I am concerned, it isn’t happening again. That’s what I’ve been training towards.

“My debut was against a tricky southpaw (Reiss Taylor) and then I had Jake (Pollard), who definitely engaged with me more, particularly after he got cut.

“The last round got me again (versus Pollard) and he did pop me with an uppercut, but I wasn’t really hurt. It did make me switch back on, though, and I learned a lesson from that.

“Jake was my sort of style, to come forward, and I kept on pinging him when he did. I bust his eye open (second round) with a left hook, and he really came after me.

“In the third and fourth rounds, he came out all guns blazing, but I like being put under pressure. He couldn’t tee off on me, though, because of my movement.

“I know how to move my hands, head and feet to counter punch and throw shots back. I’m improving, too, and seeing more opportunities to pick holes in my opponents.

“I’m looking to make a statement, so that means winning every round on points or forcing a stoppage. I’ve got good feelings about this one and what could happen after that.

“I want to box for titles as a super flyweight and the Midlands might be the first one to look at. I need a six-rounder first and then I’ll go from there.”

*Tickets for the Park Inn bill are available, priced at £40 for unreserved seating or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.