Embarrassed Griffiths comes out of hiding by Tom Podmore Feb 13th 2008

Oakham lightweight Carl Griffiths barred his supporters from seeing him in his last fight, a two-round win over unbeaten Leroy Smedley in December, but there will be no such restrictions when he goes to battle in Leicester on Saturday (February 16). The hard-hitting southpaw meets Bridgwater's Dean Mills, 20, over six-twos on Leicester Sporting Club's second professional show at the Aylestone Leisure this weekend and plans to put in a performance that will delight both himself and his vociferous band of followers. But there was a time – and it was only a few months back – when Carl's head had dropped to such an extent that he didn't want anyone he knew seeing him fight. The 24-year-old was so disappointed in his performance against returning Burnley banger Sebastian Hart in Peterborough two months earlier (losing by knockout in two) that he refused to tell anyone that he was making his maiden pro appearance in his homecity on December 10. As it was, Griffiths went about his work against Leroy Smedley in excellent fashion, forcing John Keane to stop a one-sided bout 30 seconds into the second of a scheduled six-rounder at Leicester's Ramada Hotel. The Scarborough-based boxer, try as he might, couldn't get a foothold and was dropped twice before the well-timed intervention. That has given the popular portsider the confidence in his power – and he intends on proving that to his supporters on Saturday night: “The loss against Hart did me a favour. I was intent on doing a good job the next time I stepped in the ring. “I didn't really want any of my supporters there after that fight against Hart. I was embarrassed with my performance and the circumstances in which he managed to win. “I really didn't want to ask them to start spending their money on tickets to see me box after what happened to me in the fight before,” he said. “I really don't think that would have been right. “But I didn't ban my supporters that night,” explained the Midlander to the Melton Times, his local paper. “I just didn't tell them that I was going to be boxing.” Griffiths is also, providing he overcomes the challenge of the Nigel Christian-managed fighter from the West Country on Saturday night, itching for a rematch with Hart, who'd returned to the ring for the first time in seven years, before 2008 reaches its conclusion. “I've had some tough fights over the years,” continued the four-fight Rutland banger, 2-2 (1), who boxed with distinction for Melton ABC,” but I had never been on the floor before. “I'm desperate to get a rematch with Hart in the next 12 months. The outcome would be different this time. But I have to redeem myself and prove that lightening never strikes in the same place twice.” The five-fight Leicester Sporting Club bill is topped by touted local prospect Kevin ‘The Panther' Concepcion, 8-0 (2), in a six-threes. The East Midlands card also includes Leicester's Lester Walsh, 0-1 (0), Rasham Singh-Sohi, 1-0 (0), and Derby's Matthew Hainy, 1-0 (0). A limited amount of tickets are still available from Les Allen on 07980-313414.

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