Elcock can win world title - McCracken by Tom Podmore Dec 6th 2007

Birmingham's former WBC world middleweight title challenger Rob McCracken believes Wayne Elcock can bring the IBF world middleweight title back to the Second City – if he listens to his trainers. McCracken, who won the British and Commonwealth belts before becoming a trainer to the likes of Carl Froch, Howard Eastman, Lenny Daws and Lee Meager, was guided by Paddy and Tommy Lynch and tips them to lead his fellow-Brummie to a world title in Switzerland on Saturday evening against current champion, Arthur Abraham. Although Elcock is seen as a massive betting underdog – quoted at 7/1 by one local bookmaker (an offer I found too tempting to refuse, by the way) – there is feeling amongst the Midlands boxing fraternity that the British 11st 6lbs champion is being underestimated by Abraham, Arthur's promoter and the boxing public in general. Abraham and his team are already talking about unification fights in America in the coming year. But the Englishman is out to show that he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Ricky Hatton, David Haye, Joe Calzaghe, Clinton Woods, Junior Witter, Gavin Rees, Enzo Maccarinelli and Alex Arthur: Britain's eight other recognised world champions. However, he realises that the German-based Armenian is going to be an extremely tough nut to crack on the Sauerland-promoted show in Basle. The iron-chinned, iron-willed puncher, 24-0 (19), survived a serious broken jaw in one of his defences last year (unanimous decision over Colombian banger Edison Miranda), but still pounded out a decision win. This is a fighter who is prepared to go to hell and back rather than relinquish a world title belt he's worked so hard for. And his last defence, an eleven-round knockout over skilful countryman Khoren Gevor in Berlin (the Yereven-born man's adopted hometown), was spellbindingly brutal. Tall Gevor was almost decapitated by a sickening but artistically beautiful uppercut in the penultimate session of Arthur's fifth title defence. Khoren had his legs taken from under him – landing, unconscious, on his knees. But McCracken, who saw Elcock – 18-2 (8) and a former holder of the English and WBU titles – outpoint his charge, former British, Commonwealth and European boss and two-time world title challenger Howard Eastman, for the British title in September, thinks the Shard End middleweight can shock the boxing world. Enigmatic Eastman knows Miranda well, incidentally, losing a close 12-round IBF title eliminator against Abraham in Germany in 2005. Howard, who should have won a world belt in his frustrating career but never the urgency to match his skills, chin and power, cried robbery. McCracken said the Birmingham fighter can do what Eastman failed to accomplish: “Abraham is a good fighter but he is far from invincible and is definitely beatable. “Paddy, Tommy and Don (Ageson, former pro) will get the tactics right in the gym. They said Wayne would beat Eastman, worked the right plan out in the gym and he did just that. “As long as Wayne prepares properly and listens to his corner, then he can win because he has got three great men on his side who know what they are talking about. “I know Wayne is confident and I know they will prepare him down to the last detail," continued Rob, who will be over in Ireland with Eastman on Saturday when he takes on up-and-coming Derry middleweight John Duddy in Belfast. “It is not beyond him [Elcock to win] and he can pick-up the IBF world title despite Abraham being a tough, strong fighter and a world class operator.” -------------------------------- Another Midlander, Stourbridge's English cruiserweight champ Rob Norton, boxes 10-1 (7) Enad Licina, a Serb based in Germany, over eight rounds on the undercard that also includes reigning British heavyweight champion Danny Williams. The Black Country puncher, inactive since winning the English belt in March, is hopeful the British Boxing Board of Control will give him an overdue British title fight in the New Year.

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