The increasingly popular Prizefighter show returns to our TV screens live on Saturday at 8PM on Sky Sports.
This promises to be a very exciting show with promoters Matchroom sports claiming "this is the strongest line up in the history of Prizefighter."
The contestants include unbeaten British Super Featherweight champion Gary Sykes, WBU champ Choi Tseveenpurev, former England Commonwealth games captain Steve Bell as well as former British and Europeon challenger Scott Lawton.
The Prizefighter format consists of eight fighters, who after a random draw, compete against each other in a knockout format with the four winners progressing to the semi finals, before the winners of each these fights battling it out in the final for the prize of £32,000 and the Prizefighter title. Each fight lasts for 3x3 minute rounds. This tournament has proved to be a huge stepping stone for fighters in the past to build on and go on to better things such as Audley Harrison who went on to win the European title and recently fight for the World Heavyweight crown.
The 26 year old Gary Sykes and 39 year old Choi Tseveenpurev have been installed as the pre tournament favourites. These two fighters are at different points of their careers with Sykes looking to move up to a higher level and Choi, having already won a version of the World title looking to stay at this level. However you have to question whether Choi, at 39, has still got the legs for this fast and enduring competition. The draw has kept these two apart so a possible collision course is on the cards for the final if nothing out of the ordinary happens. Choi takes on Kevin O'Hara late replacement Ben Murphy in the first round. The winner of this will then move on to face either former
Prizefighter Lightweight Semi Finalist Gary McArthur or ex WBU tile holder Derry Matthews in what should be a closely fought contest. In the bottom half of the draw Gary Sykes will be expecting to defeat the tough Scott Lawton with the winner squaring off against either Steve Bell or ex European Lightweight challenger Gary Buckland.
Yorkshire man Gary Sykes is feeling very good about his chances. “I want to fight the best to prove that I am the best,” said Sykes. “The Prizefighter format is a brilliant night with a big financial reward and as the best fighter in Britain I am confident I can enter this and walk away with the trophy."
Promoter Eddie Hearn cannot wait for the action to begin on Saturday.
“This is quite simply a stunning line up and the most competitive we have ever seen in Prizefighter,” said Hearn.
“It's going to be an electric night and the winner will catapult himself right in line for a major title shot.”
Tune in on Saturday to find out who will be crowned the king of Prizefighter.
