Moore: Baysangurov test

It is a big night for Jamie. Win the European and you know you are going to get a world title shot.

Glenn McCrory
Quotes of the week

Glenn's previous blogs

We want Moore, Jamie!
One Kelly Pavlik
Taylor to Tyson
Homeboy from home
Baby-Faced Brilliance
For the glove of God
Chicago hopes

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What is it about this blog? A couple of weeks ago I urged our amateur boxers to produce the goods in Chicago - and they did. Last week I called for Jamie Moore to move up and fight for the European title - and he is.

OK, the Moore one wasn't rocket science and I'm sure things were in the pipeline, but I'm wondering what to wish for this week?

I suppose continued success for out amateur boxers - and my two Northumbria lads who are fighting in the next qualifiers - might be the best place to start. To see four of our lads already qualified for Beijing is just brilliant. Absolutely wonderful. Tony Jefferies from the north east is there, so are Joe Murray and Bradley Saunders.

But pride of place must go to Frankie Gavin. A gold medal at the world championships is unbelievable. I think I am right in saying that is Britain's first, which shows you what an achievement it was. I am sure all the promoters will be sniffing round young Frankie now and I do hope he doesn't see the world championships as the peak of his amateur career.

Beijing is only next year so there's every chance we will see him at the Olympics along with others. It might not sound like much, but four fighters already at the Olympic Games is incredible. We've only had half-a-dozen or so since the qualification process was introduced a few years back, so it really does put it into perspective.

The ABA should give themselves a pat on the back as well. With London 2012 coming up they have pulled out all the stops and it's nice to see the extra effort - and indeed funding - working so well.

Like I say, four boxers doesn't sound like much, but it will send a ripple through the amateur ranks and should serve as an inspiration to everyone.

Inspiration

I was looking for Jamie Moore to inspire us all last week and again, my wish has come true.

I did try and make a few calls to see what the latest was with Jamie, but had no luck - even his mate Ricky Hatton wasn't answering his phone! I then had to fly out to Los Angeles so never really got the chance to follow it up, but was delighted to see when I got back that Jamie has got a crack at the European title.

I haven't, like most people, seen the champion Zaurbek Baysangurov in action, but I have been looking at his record and reading between the lines, this will be one helluva test.

Baysangurov has only had 16 professional fights. To be European champion that quickly, shows you how good he is and with 12 KO's in those 16 wins, he can clearly punch. But he is only 22, still a boxing baby. He has been the distance in his last two fights, but will he have ever experienced a crowd like he will face at Robin Park?

It's not quite Manchester, but it is a big night for the city's boxing. There will be plenty in, looking to get a huge night off to a winning start. And it is a big night for Jamie. Win the European and you know you are going to get a world title shot.

His win over Andrew Facey wasn't that impressive, but a lot of fighters raise their game when they are in with a better class of fighter. I know in my time if I was in against a slugger, I would drop down to his level, so maybe Baysangurov will bring the best out of Moore.

The one advantage Jamie has is experience. He has been around a lot longer and knows a lot more than the champion so that will work in his favour. He'll need it too, because this looks like it's going to be really tough. Mind you, not as tough as the test facing his mate a few hours later, a few thousand miles away...