Liverpool and Manchester Unite this weekend by Terry Dooley Aug 10th 2007

As the new football season swings into life this weekend we will be deluged with wall-to-wall coverage of the nation's favourite sport. With the thrill of a two-horse title race, the FA's inability to enforce the rules consistently outside of London and, most depressingly, the relentless monotony of Middlesbrough FC awaiting sports fans this season (cheeky Manc son of a gun - Ed.) you could do worse than pop into Liverpool this weekend to take in the Wally Dixon promoted boxing bill featuring some of the North West's (Liverpool locals and Mancunian visitors) best boxing talent. For about half the price you will pay for a plate of pelmeni at Stamford Bridgski you could take in a ten fight card whilst visiting our national city of culture (yes I am still talking about Liverpool). This bill is taking place at the well-known Olympia venue. Representing the Liverpool side of things we find Tony Quigley, Joey Ainscough, Steven Burke, Graham Delehedy, John Watson and Joe McNally. Fighting out of Manchester we have Sports Network prospect Denton Vassell as well as Rhys Roberts and Scott Quigg. Joey Ainscough is making his second attempt at professional boxing. During his first attempt, between 1999 and 2000, Joey fought three times, losing one of them on points. Now, though, Joey is back and after beating Mark Phillips on points in May he will be keen to continue his second stab at the pro ranks. This former ABA light-heavyweight champion spent his years away from the pro game back amongst the amateurs and is coming off a losing final appearance at last years ABA's. Steven Burke – brother of Atlanta Olympian David Burke – will be hoping to annex his sixth pro win. Burke is a two-time senior ABA Champion as well as a European Junior medallist who beat Daniel Thorpe at the Olympia in March. The bulk of the nights excitement could be provide by Graham Delehedy. Of his eleven professional fights thus far only two have reached the final bell with Graham either scoring a KO or being stopped himself. A slow-starter Delehedy ran out of steam when fighting Taz Jones and shortly after that lost against stable mate Jamie Coyle up in Scotland. A powerful hitter who is also vulnerable equates to a potentially interesting fight in prospect. The ABA theme is taken-up once again by John Watson and Joe McNally. Watson was a champion in 2004 at featherweight. McNally won a Junior ABA title in 2001 but fell short, against James Deagle, when going for the senior title. Denton Vassell, himself an ABA winner, will be having his fourth pro fight and has been looking sharp and exciting in sparring in recent weeks. A strong puncher with a chiselled physique Vassell is determined to put away his opponents quickly at the four round level so he can test himself over the longer distances. Joining Denton on the bill will be Brian Hughes' featherweight fighter Scott Quigg. During his two fights thus far Scott has looked a capable boxer and in his last fight he scored a stoppage, albeit controversial, win over Shaun Walton – a fighter who had never been stopped prior to that bout. It will be a busy night for Hughes who also has Rhys Roberts fighting on this bill. Rhys was, perhaps, a little bit fortuitous to win his pro debut after struggling with Delroy Spencer so this Saturday represents a good opportunity to judge him anew. Tickets for the show can be purchased by phoning the ticket line on 0161 231 0867. Reserved ringside tickets are retailing at £40 and unreserved ringside are going for £30. All major credit cards are accepted and the doors open at 6pm for this lengthy bill.

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