Top Boxer call-up for “Mad Man” Mooney

Michael Mooney…ready to turn it on in tournament

TOMMY Owens’ mouthwatering Top Boxer tournament keeps throwing up surprises – and the ring action is still weeks away.

On September 9 at Solihull’s Plant Ice, eight hopefuls will battle for the lightweight title – and the £6,000 first prize that goes with it.

They’ll compete in three round contests until only one remains. There has to be thrills and spills.

Today, we can reveal one of the game’s true warriors has come from blind side and entered the competition.

Worcester’s Michael Mooney – one of the sport’s larger-than-life characters – has had more contests than all the other competitors put together. He’s also the oldest at 38. He’s faced the very best.

“Mad Man” Mooney is a veteran of 101 bouts, of which he’s won nine and drawn two. When it comes to an old fashioned tear-up – and Top Boxer is all about an old fashioned tear-up, Mooney’s your man.

He’s in the frame after the withdrawal of Nottingham’s Delmar Thomas.

There’s one further change. Walsall’s Darnell Duut has withdrawn and his place taken by Manchester’s Harley Marginson, aged 31, who has lost all seven contests.

Of Mooney’s inclusion in Top Boxer, show matchmaker Jon Pegg said: “Michael’s really excited about it and described it as his swansong. He’s coming to turn it on.

“I told him, ‘this gives you headlines on a poster and a press conference (the Top Boxer press conference takes place at Planet Ice at 1pm on Saturday). When was the last time you had your own poster and press conference?’”

The eight taking part are: Knowle’s Dylan Norman, 23, 4-0; Tamworth’s Louis Fielding, 33, 10-8; Dudley’s Ryan Griffiths, 22, 2-0; Lincoln’s DJ Tollerton 22, 3-0; Hereford’s Daniel Williams, 34, 2-0; Manchester’s Harley Marginson, 31, 0-7; Worcester’s Michael Mooney, 38, 9-90-2; Dorset’s Stefan Vincent, 32, 1-2.

I promise you this. Anyone drawn against Mooney is in for a blood and thunder battle.