Wright: leftie fancied

It's Prizefighter week - and that gets me excited. This throwback idea has been jazzed up for a modern audience and fight fans seem to be craving the latest instalment. Eight fighters, seven fights in one thunderous night for a £25K cash prize.

These boxers are not household names - but they are enjoying their time in the limelight, and they each have the chance to earn some real money - as well as a little bit of (in some cases long overdue) attention.

It was lovely that former doorman Dave 'Dingle' Ingleby was given a real cheer as he made his post-Prizefighter re-appearance last week. Back, as usual in the 'away' corner - to face the new Northern hope, David Howe.

Supposedly an early ring education for Howe, the 6ft 8in heavyweight got far more than he bargained for as he was ripped apart in one disastrous round. Amazing the confidence that being a Prizefighter seemed to bring to Dingle. Nice to see him smiling again.

So we've had two heavyweight tournaments. The first of which was a series of intense toe-to-toe wars as Martin Rogan bulldozed his way to take the trophy; the second event was more technical and tactical, but an explosive finale guaranteed most went home happy. Especially Sam Sexton, who boxed beautifully to plan.

Illustrious

Now to the welterweights and who better to have conducted this week's draw than one of our greatest 10 stone 7lbs fighters of all time, John H Stracey? John joined Scotland's star youngster Paul Appleby and our very own former world cruiserweight champions Johnny and Glenn to pick the balls out at the Boxing Writer's dinner, in the illustrious setting of the Dorchester Hotel.

The writers honour the fighters once a year and it's a fabulous evening with a great turn-out of past and present champions. Appleby was crowned the best Young Boxer of the Year - the unbeaten British featherweight champion certainly looked the part and enjoyed the glittering occasion.

James DeGale was voted this year's Best Amateur for striking gold in Beijing - and his England coach Terry Edwards was given the Joe Bromley Award for outstanding services to boxing.

A special mention to European super-bantamweight king Rendall Munroe who was a guest on our table - he was so pleased to be there - telling all his pals that it was one of the highlights of his whole career. Rendall has been our domestic success story this year. It was great to have him with us - he's so down to earth and we felt honoured. He was even back working the bins early on Tuesday morning!

Some boxers were of course missing - like the 10 (eight plus two reserves) who will be thrashing it out on Friday night. I don't remember a dinner that Ross Minter has missed before! He must desperately want to win that £25K!

Tasty

The draw produced some tasty tear-ups.

In the quarter -finals, punchers George Hillyard and Ted Bami were expected to collide, but in good old boxing fashion, there's been late drama. Hillyard was four pounds over the agreed 10stone 9lbs limit on the eve of battle, so the first out of the hat is now out of the whole night. In steps the likeable and seasoned Scot Andrew Ferrans for a golden opportunity. It will be hard for him against Bami though.

Meanwhile, experienced Steve Conway tackles aggressor Mark Lloyd; slick southpaw Michael Lomax meets tough Craig Dickson; and the exciting Ross Minter faces the accomplished Nigel Wright.

Late reserve call-up Barrie Jones and Stoke's Scott Miller wait in the wings in case there is an injury on the night.

The bookies say Bami - I actually thought he had a potential banana skin with the dangerous Hillyard. Now the draw favours Bami and he could tear his way to the final. But I don't fancy him to win it. I think he's on the slide and has lazy spells. Maybe the Brixton barber will prove me wrong - he is the former European light-welterweight champion after all.

My colleague Declan Johnson made a good comment this week. He said that the last two winners have been second favourites in the betting. That points to Michael Lomax at 3/1. He's got a real shot. Plus, I find it extremely strange that Nigel Wright is only 6/1.

I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing all of the Prizefighters a couple of weeks ago. Each told me they were going to win. I only believed two of them though! Lomax and Wright. For a while, I have had a sneaky feeling for the southpaw from Crook. Yes he was drafted in fairly late and is really a natural light-welterweight. He looked small at the weigh-in too.

But he had 90 amateur fights, boxed for England 25 times, and has never been dropped in his life. Crucially too, he is a very fast starter and he's a leftie. I have always felt Wright has never quite lived up to his potential. He is really up for this and believes the title will be heading to the North East. That confidence this time might make the difference. I think Wright is a terrific bet.

Whoever wins it - I must say that once again, together as a group, they have been quite exemplary. They have all dealt with the publicity professionally and amicably. It just shows boxing brings people together more than in any other sport.

Fighting

This is a week when we've really needed each other. Last Friday, Gilbert Eastman was left fighting for his life after being rushed to hospital with a blood clot. Gilbert collapsed backstage after being stopped in the very last second of his clash with Sam Webb.

After an emergency operation, the news looked grim, but there was some real light emerging this week, that he was out of his coma and coming round. Doctors were far more positive and are hoping Gilbert makes a complete recovery. Our reporter Ed Robinson went to see Gilbert, and said he's doing really well.

There's no disguising the dangers of our sport and in a recent interview with the trade paper, Boxing News, I again highlighted that we should always endeavour to make it as safe as we possibly can. The British Board have the best and most stringent medical facilities and rules anywhere. We have unfortunately suffered some ring tragedies. But they are rare.

The anti-boxing brigade come out at times like these, but we must remember the lives that are saved by channelling behaviour, and getting youngsters into gyms. I will never forget James Murray's mum telling me that she never blamed boxing for her son's tragic death. That he would have died with a needle in his arm on their drug-infested estate in Glasgow, if it wasn't for the sport.

In Britain, since James's death, we have seen Spencer Oliver make a complete recovery, Paul Ingle and Valery Odin's lives saved and now we have our fingers crossed for Gilbert Eastman.

It's been a traumatic time too for Sam Webb and his trainer Alan Smith, two of the most friendly guys in the domestic business.

Brighter

There was a brighter story last week. It was wonderful to see our best little man come of age. The York Hall erupted as Hackney's Ian Napa finally took the European Bantamweight title.

Napa's had his ups and downs and at the weekend I'm off to see another British fighter looking to come again. Next week I'll bring you a report from the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood where Amir Khan's rehabilitation is taking place under the tutelage of top American trainer Freddie Roach, following that stunning knockout defeat.

This year's Stateside sensation Kelly Pavlik has his own re-building to do. The ancient 'Executioner" does it again. Just when you think it's safe to write off Bernard Hopkins - he produces another masterclass. How amazing. Bernard's not everyone's favourite fighter but you have to admire the man's intelligence and his ability. The way he's looked after his body is incredible. Still upsetting critics and odds in his 44th year! What a legendary Prizefighter he's been.

Who will beat the bookies back in our domestic tournament this week? Expect an atmospheric and jammed-packed York Hall with some terrific action. It's as wide open as ever but I say - don't write off Nigel!