Prizefighter: Danny Cassius Connor keen to meet Michael Devine again at York Hall
Thursday 4 December 2014 13:37, UK
Danny Cassius Connor and Michael Devine hope to settle their unfinished business in this Saturday’s Prizefighter Lightweights III.
A ten-rounder between the pair was brought to a premature halt in September when a clash of heads left Connor with a cut, but both fighters have entered this weekend’s eight-man tournament at York Hall, Bethnal Green, live on Sky Sports.
They will be waiting to see if a second fight is on the cards when the draw takes place on Thursday morning, live on Sky Sports News.
“I hope to face him on Saturday,” said Connor, a beaten finalist in last year's light-welterweight tournament.
“I was winning the fight until I got a cut, you never know what is going to happen in a fight but I felt comfortable and I would love to face him again, if not in Prizefighter then down the line.
“Hopefully the draw will be kind and we can meet - it was only going one way the last time and I know it would be the same story again.
“I know what to expect, it is three-threes - people know the format inside out now, if you don't know how to prepare for it then you are a bit thick to be honest! It's a quick pace, you have to get in there and get the win, that's all that matters.”
The 25-year-old Devine is also keen to renew his rivalry with Connor and hopes victory in the competition will propel him towards a title shot.
“We both want to settle the score so if it's the quarters, semis or the final we meet in, it doesn't bother me, as long as we get to fight,” said Devine.
“Danny is a good lad, he markets himself well and sells a lot of tickets, I've got a good following anyway so I don't need to rise to the stuff he has said - it shifts a few more tickets so fair play.
“I've won titles at super featherweight so I would love to get an English title shot in the New Year.
“I'm 25 now, I've done my apprenticeship and I'm heading for my prime years, it's time to loosen the reins and go for the big titles and fights.”
Gary Buckland, the pre-tournament favourite, will be hoping to land the trophy for a second time after winning the super-featherweight version in 2010.
Former European champion Stephen Foster Jnr is also included in the line-up, joining Floyd Moore, Jono Carroll, Lee Martin and Craig Whyatt.
As part of the bill, Martin J Ward will meet Maxi Hughes in a British super featherweight title eliminator.
Ajose Olusegun, a former British light-welterweight champion, returns to action on the card and exciting lightweight O’Hara Davies will be targeting a fourth straight win.
Watch the Prizefighter Lightweights actions from 8.00pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 2, including a 10-rounder featuring Martin J Ward.