Elcock fires warning to Bendall by Tom Podmore Oct 24th 2006

Wayne Elcock has fired a warning to Coventry rival Steve Bendall ahead of their English middleweight clash on December 1 at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre in Birmingham. Birmingham's finest has warned the champion: “I fully intend to make this the toughest fight you've ever had.” Wayne has promised to take no prisoners as he continues his quest towards the British title, and that's a fight he wants as soon as. Bendall, he believes, will be a test, but a test he needs to pass if he wants to continue his boxing oddessy. He has been preparing frantically at the Garrets Green gym in Birmingham and wants to make sure he is in peak physical condition for the hotly contested showdown. “I'm being pushed really hard by Paddy and Tommy [Lynch] to make sure I am top condition, but I'm really enjoying it and want to make sure I'm 100% for the fight. “I have not had much time out of gym since the last fight as I needed to catch up on my bag and pad work. But it's really great to be able to punch again, which helps in this game! “My hand [which was badly burnt prior to Wayne's knockout win against Vinnie Baldassara] is back to full use now and I'm having no problems with using it. “Although my hand is still showing the scars from the burn, they will go in time and it's not effecting my training.” Bendall, who recently took a warm-up for this fight against Conroy McIntosh [winning over six], seems to be fairly dismissive of Elcock and is already looking ahead to the winner of Richard Williams- Howard Eastman, who contest the vacant British title in December. Elcock said he should be focusing on him. “Bendall may or may not be my toughest fight, but I am training as if it will be. I'm sure he'll be doing the same, he should be, anyway. “Even though it's only the English title, it may as well be a world title because that's how I am preparing for him. “I treat every opponent as if they are a world champion and Bendall will be no different. If anything, he has given me some extra fire in the gym. “You got to get the tactics spot on and the preparation has to be right, It wasn't for my last fight - having only having four days sparring - and only in the last week could I hit the bags and pads. “I've said it before: I won't be making chips in the run-up to any fight in the future!” The fight with Bendall is without doubt the biggest local derby the West Midlands will have seen in decades. The two main cities in the Midlands will clash (Birmingham and Coventry) and that will add a little spice to the proceedings as both will look to be numero uno. Usually mild mannered, Bendall has been quite vocal in the local press about this upcoming fight, claiming that he's only a one win away from being back where he should be. As well as saying: “There is no way Elcock can beat me.” Can Steve back up his boasts in the ring? Wayne certainly hopes he fights a peak Bendall. “It is good to see Bendall is really fired up for this fight, as he stated in his interview [he claimed Elcock was poor against Baldassara and he'd walk through the Brummie], but I can't wait to rise to his challenge. “His words have only added to the fire that I already have roaring inside me. “Bendall is an excellent fighter and technically he is very good. He thinks about what he is doing, but his style will bring out the best in me. “I believe both styles will gel well and I will give him the respect he deserves. I can assure Steve I won't be underestimating him. “His record speaks for itself [25 wins from 27] and he has mixed in very good company. “If he was ill prepared for his two defeats, as he's said, then I will get even more satisfaction in winning knowing he has had more than enough time to prepare for me.” Elcock, who has a sterling 16-2 [7] record, is looking to win, that goes without saying, but just as important is the performance. He really wants to put on a show for his home supporters. “I feel this has come at exactly the right time for me. I want to now put in a performance that will do us all proud. “It's been great for me to have kept so active leading up to this fight [two outings this year, two wins and two knockouts], because the best is yet to come and I want to show what I can really do against a top domestic fighter. “I want to put in a world class performance and show I can operate at a higher level. I believe that we will bring the best out of each other, but at the end I'm sure the belt will be around my waist.” A huge ticket seller in his hometown, it's a travesty that Birmingham's number one fighting son has only fought three times in his city. However, thanks to Ken Purchase, Wayne has been fighting in Birmingham on a regular basis. This fight will be his third in the second city in as many fights. Wayne, as ever, relishes fighting at home and thinks the added pressure makes him fight better. The atmosphere generated by his supporters also makes the most confident of fighters a little wary. “I can't wait to fight in my home city again. And it is great for boxing in Birmingham –and the Midlands - with two top ten Midlands fighters going head to head. “We have fantastic supporters in Brum [Birmingham] and it will be great for me to be able to give something back for all the support they have given me wherever I have boxed in the past. “When you take into account I have only had three of my fights in Birmingham they have always made me feel like the home fighter in any city I've fought in. I have always received great vocal support. “I really get a massive buzz from my supporters and I have the opportunity, thanks to Ken (Purchase, Ringside Promotions), to go and win more title's, not just for me but for them also. “Words cannot describe how much it means to me [fighting in Birmingham] I just want to make my city and the people as proud of me as I am of them. I then want to bring even bigger titles back to the City. “I can't wait for December 1st and I'm really looking forward to showing the supporters at the Aston Events Centre what I am made of and what I'm capable of against a top domestic fighter.” The former World Boxing Union king reiterates his desire to succeed at the highest level and doesn't care if it goes the full 10, as long as he becomes champion at the end of it all. “I know Bendall is expecting a tough fight and he is just as hungry as I am to make a mark on the middleweight division. “It could go 10, it could be over in one but however long it takes I will be the one with the belt at the end. “Once again, it could be my toughest fight, sure, but I fully intend to make sure it is the toughest fight Bendall has ever had. “It's going to be a cracking fight and I'm really looking forward to it. I think everyone is, from the fan to Bendall. “Roll on December 1st.” This writer's sentiments exactly.

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