Billy back in the spotlight
BILLY LE POULLAIN will top the bill tonight as he hopes to put what has so far been a ‘rubbish year’ behind him.
Although the Commonwealth Games boxer has struggled with various setbacks in recent months, his confidence remains largely unaltered ahead of his middleweight showpiece at St Pierre Park.
Le Poullain will return to the ring as one of 10 home representatives in the Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club’s 10-bout programme.
The majority of those in the blue corner stem from Cwmbran in Wales, but Le Poullain will instead face off against a Yorkshire lad who has learned from the finest.
George Davey is based at Henry’s Gym under the wing of Henry Wharton, a man who has several international titles at super-middleweight and has gone the distance against the likes of Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and Robin Reid.
Le Poullain’s latest victory came against former England junior Ben Vaughan at the grand ‘February Fury’ show, although it ended somewhat anti-climatically as a cut above the eye rendered his opponent unable to fight.
Despite admitting that he has not had the best of build-ups, he is both excited and hopeful ahead of a bout that will help him prepare for the upcoming Midlands Box Cup.
‘It’s been a bit of a rubbish year as far as competing goes – I’ve had a chest infection and a few niggling injuries, and it’s been a bit frustrating,’ said the Ridunian.
‘But I’m back in action and it will be good to get back under the bright lights.
‘I’m always quite confident – that’s something that you’ve got to have, really. You can’t go into a fight not believing in yourself.’
Beforehand, welterweight Mason Smale will be hoping to extend his impressive run of form since joining the senior ranks in January. A victory against Connor Oliver would be Smale’s fourth in a row.
Watching on alongside Wharton will be another prestigious figure in women’s fighter-coach Ashley Brace.
Brace has recently added the European super-flyweight title to her undefeated record and while she will be present solely in a coaching capacity, she makes for a noteworthy guest.
Guernsey coach Ben Duff hopes for exciting action right from the opening fight, which takes place at 9pm.
‘I’m expecting a very competitive show. All the matches look very even and it should be a great night of boxing,’ he said.
