Paul Truscott is ‘in no doubt' he can beat Ghana's Osumanue Akaba when they clash for the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title tomorrow at the Eston Sports Academy, in his hometown of Middlesbrough.
Speaking to Setanta Sports News ahead of the bout, Paul said:
“I feel crisper and a lot sharper. I'm fighting people who are naturally my weight. I'll break them up and stop them. I can slow people down and make them fight how I want to fight.”
Paul has faced criticism in recent weeks over his weight. He said:
“When you're an up and comer you have to fight lads at their weight. They aren't going to come down in weight and fight you at your proper weight.
“I'm naturally a feather weight. I walk round at 9st 6lbs and 9st 7lbs. I make the weight easy. 9st 4lbs is super-featherweight and I get down to that without even dieting. I'm a featherweight. I've been a featherweight for a long time."
Fighting on home soil will provide Paul with a psychological advantage, he said:
“When he [Akaba] walks into our arena and there's 700 ‘smoggies' screaming and shouting, he's bound to find that intimidating. Hopefully that'll get to him.
“All these people are spending their hard earned cash to come and watch me box. I won't disappoint them.”