This belt goes to the winner of Top Boxer

Eight will fight for it, only one man will wear it

THIS is the gleaming belt one of eight fighters will have strapped round their waist when the mayhem of Tommy Owens’ September 9 lightweight Top Boxer tournament subsides.

The winner will also walk away with a £6,000 cash prize and be fast-tracked towards a shot at the Midlands lightweight title, which Scott Melvin and Mykey Lee Broughton compete for on the same night, at the same venue.

Be warned, the heat generated at Solihull’s Planet Ice on September 9 may melt the rink. A night dubbed “All The Lights” will dazzle with future stars, including Niall Farrell and Bradley Goldsmith.

It’s one of those rare small show events that has ignited fight fever.

The smart money is being placed on local lad Dylan Norman winning the tournament, staged at Solihull’s Planet Ice on September 9.

In truth, the tag is fairly meaningless. In such knockout competitions, form can be flung out of the window, replaced by desire and a willingness to wade through blood and bruises. It has a lot to do with bottle.

The draw – yet to be announced – is also important.

The format for Top Boxer is simple and violent. Hopefuls will face each other over bouts of three rounds duration – no time for “feeling out”, simply nine minutes of raw action.

Here’s the competitors’ formline.

Dylan Norman…many say he’s the fighter to beat

Dylan Norman, from Knowle, aged 23, unbeaten in four. He says: “I’m looking to put on a big show, I don’t shy away from a war. I’m ready to go out there and show what I’m about. I have the whole of Solihull supporting me and I want to put a smile on their faces. I’m in this game to be remembered and the only way to be remembered is to take risks.”

Louis Fielding…believes his experience will be key

Louis Fielding, from Tamworth, aged 33, won 10, lost eight. He says: “I believe I’ve got the experience, that will be a positive factor, I’ve been in with the best. I’m getting on a bit and you’ve got to take the opportunities when they come. Winning this would be a great chapter in my book.”

DJ Tollerton, from Lincoln, aged 22, unbeaten in three. He says: “My manager had Joe Hughes in the Boxxer tournament,” he said. “I’ve seen it up close, it’s tough. I’m prepared for this, I think it suits me, I’m a fit kid. I want to test myself. I didn’t go into boxing to have my first eight fights against kids it wasn’t worth getting out of bed for.”

Michael Mooney, from Worcester, aged 38, won nine, lost 95, drawn two. He says: “I think my age is on my side because I have a lot of experience. It’s like Apollo Creed coming to town and giving the local lad the shot. This could be the real life Rocky story. This is the last chance saloon, it’s my last dance. When I was training, I was dropping people in the gym. Now I’m back training hard.”

Ryan Griffiths…”the tournament will bring the best out of me.”

Ryan Griffiths, from Dudley, aged 22, won two. He says: “(Manager) Errol Johnson (BCB boss) knows how these tournaments work, you’ll get the best out of me. In fights of three rounds, three minutes each round, you’ve got to be on your game from the get go. Most of these guys (in Top Boxer) are undefeated. If I didn’t take this, I wouldn’t be fighting guys like this until 10 or 11 fights in. I want to be the next BCB boxer to put their name on the map.”

Danny Williams, from Hereford, aged 34, unbeaten in three. He says: “This is my chance to get back right back into the mix. I’m 34, but I feel fitter now than when I was 19. I didn’t start boxing until I was 24, so I think that I’ve got a few years left in me yet. I want to get a shot at the Midlands title, at least, and sooner rather than later. I’m looking to clean my performances up and be more clinical.”

Harley Marginson, from Manchester, aged 31, lost seven, no wins. He says simply: “I’m the underdog coming to upset the apple-cart.”

Stefan Vincent, from Dorset, aged 32, won one, lost two. He says: “I’m going to do exactly what the last substitute did (Kirk Stevens came in as a late replacement and won the welterweight competition) – win the whole thing.”

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