Pryce out to upstage Amir Khan by Tom Podmore May 21st 2008

Skilful West Bromwich southpaw Marcus Portman has been handed a surprise opportunity to win the Commonwealth light-middleweight strap next month (June 21). But the champion, Bradley Pryce, doesn't seem to think he has much chance. The Errol Johnson-trained portsider, 19-6-1 (3), will box Newbridge-based Pryce, 26-6 (16) and trained by Enzo Calzaghe, for the Welshman's Commonwealth title on the undercard of Amir Khan's defence of the same belt, lightweight, against Mancunian puncher Michael Gomez at Birmingham's 13,000-seater National Indoor Arena (NIA). And Bradley, making the sixth defence of a belt he won in an upset against top-rated Ossie Duran in 2006, sounds confident. He doesn't think disposing of the Black Country-based former British title challenger will take very long, boasting: "I don't mind going into Portman's backyard because I know I'm going to knock him out pretty quickly," said the crowdpleasing champion to FrankWarren.tv. "The last time I fought was in the Midlands, the Nottingham Arena," he continued," and I beat another Midlands-based fighter in Martin Concepcion, doing so in spectacular fashion. I've got very little to worry about with Portman." However, the Welshman could be in for a bit of a surprise if he thinks that he'll have it all his own way against the tall portsider. Although six losses stain the Birmingham-born stylist's record, the 27-year-old has won the fringe WBF 11st title (defending it once) and scalped touted and respected operators like George Hillyard, Scott Dixon and Joseph Matolcsi. He has won seven of his eight contests, including winning the WBF strap, since the comeback. The loss, an eight-round retirement defeat to Gary Woolcombe for the vacant British light-middleweight title, saw the former British Masters welterweight boss take the fight on six days notice. It showed. Marcus, without trainer Johnson in his corner (the West Brom trainer/promoter was in Vegas with Dean Harrison and Martin Gethin, both having boxed the night before), was cut early and could never really find any rhythm before being pulled out due to the slicing wound. Portman, who'll enter the 12-rounder as a firm underdog, has been given plenty of notice for this title chance, however. He knows he's been brought in to make Pryce look good but will be looking to end the six-fight unbeaten run of a hard-hitting former British title challenger who has looked a revitalised performer since adding the Commonwealth belt to his collection. Pryce, also 27 and hoping for a world title chance in the next 12 months, put in top-class showings to dispose of two Midlanders, tall Wolverhampton octopus Andrew Facey (points) and Leicester banger Martin Concepcion (stoppage in three), in defences of his crown. Hard-hitting Anthony Small was also ground down in seven, ending the enigmatic Londoner's 17-fight unbeaten run. It seems Bradley can deal with the tall, long-armed men (Ingle-trained Facey) and the mallet-fisted fighters like Small and Concepcion. But both men have lost to Thomas McDonagh, interestingly. Marcus lost a close six-rounder in 2003 and Bradley lost a WBU International light-middleweight title fight the following year (unanimous decision). Both have improved since the defeat to the Irish-rooted Mancunian. Confident Bradley continued: “Everyone is talking about Khan's fight with Gomez, but my name will be on everyone's lips when they've seen me in action. "I can definitely see myself fighting for a world title within the next 12 months," he added. "I'm confident I'll win it as well.”

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Bradley should think about winning 1st May 22nd 2008, 03:26:58 by aksel is it me or do all the fighters from Newbridge, Wales seem over-confident? Rees, was saying before his defence that he wants to wipe the floor with Khan (backed by Enzo) what happend there? anyway's now pryce is saying he wants to upsatge Khan? WTF.?!!?!? I mean, why? whats their problem? he should try and win first! "Everyone is talking about Khan's fight with Gomez, but my name will be on everyone's lips when they've seen me in action" I saw you in action againts Conception, yeah you sparked him out, but your boring to watch..!!! Regards