Boxer Nathan Graham can launch himself into the UK top 10 if he wins his biggest fight yet at Alexandra Palace in two weeks’ time.
The Aylesbury man will be taking on ‘knockout artist’ Lee Purdy, who is ranked second in the country at welterweight, on September 8 at the north London venue.
Graham will be fighting on a massive bill headlined by Darren Barker and Tony Bellew which will be screened live on Sky Sports.
Should the former footballer win the bout, it would instantly propel him into the top 10. And Graham is quietly confident he can ‘outbox’ his aggressive opponent, who boasts a record of 18 wins (11 by knockout), three losses and one draw.
“He is supposed to be a knockout artist, allegedly. He’s a bully type of fighter, gets people on the ropes and gets good body and head shots in,” he said.
“My plan is to try and outbox him but it will be a tough fight, you don’t get to number two in the country for no reason.
“I’m not scared to fight anyone, though, and I believe I can do well in the fight.”
Despite losing last time out to Navid Mansouri, the carrot of a place amongst the country’s top 10 fighters is a driving Graham on.
The fighter, known as De Lick, insists he is fitter and stronger this time around as he has been able to put in more hours of running after recovering from a knee injury.
He also hopes a big following at the Palace will spur him on to pull off something special.
“This is a big, big opportunity for me. There are some top fights on the night,” he said.
“So hopefully I can get a big following down there and it will be a good watch for whoever comes along.
“I believe I’m having the right sparring and my fitness levels are a lot higher now so I’m feeling good.”
Ticket details are yet to be finalised, for more information see next week’s Bucks Herald.
