Moore's 'biggest fight yet'

Moore: Went stale

After defending the British title for five years I went a bit stale, but I'm in great shape now and can't wait

Jamie Moore
Quotes of the week

FRIDAY FIGHT NIGHT
Jamie Moore v Ryan Rhodes
Live on Sky Sports 1&HD1 from 10pm

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• World champions
• On Sky TV
• Forums

Jamie Moore is taking nothing for granted as he prepares to take on Ryan Rhodes at Bolton Arena on Friday Fight Night, live on Sky Sports.

Moore's European light-middleweight title is on the line but more importantly for the winner, a possible WBC world title shot is at stake.

The Salford fighter is ranked number three by the WBC with Rhodes at number seven, so both have everything to lose in what could be the domestic dust-up of the year.

And the importance of the fight is not lost on Moore, who has given plenty of respect to his opponent in the pre-fight build-up.

"This is a massive fight - the biggest of my career," he said. "Everything is up for grabs. It's a massive occasion and this is where it all starts for me.

Frustrating

"After defending the British title for five years I went a bit stale, but I'm in great shape now and can't wait.

"It's been a frustrating three or four years but I'm within touching distance of a world title fight now.

"I'm not looking beyond this fight, I wouldn't disrespect Ryan that way. Ryan's a very good fighter, very dangerous and can punch with both hands.

"If we'd have had this fight four years ago there would have been less at stake. We both deserve a lot of credit for taking the gamble."

Moore's 'in-your-face' style has won him an army of followers in the North West, and he believes Rhodes will bring out the best in him.

"It's good to be known as an entertainer, an aggressive fighter but it takes a certain fight to get the best out of me," he added.

"If Ryan is at his best it will be a tough fight but I think I'll stop him late on."

Right time

The mutual respect between the pair was evident at Wednesday's press conference, with Sheffield's Rhodes paying tribute to his opponent's ability.

"I do rate him as a fighter," said the 32-year-old former British title holder. "We could have met five or 10 years ago, but there would have less at stake and I think we're meeting at the right time.

"We've both been asking for this fight and the WBC eliminator adds some spice.

"We've both had our ups and downs, injuries and so on, and our careers have followed a similar path.

"We are both at the stage of our career where we want the world title next. I think Jamie should have fought for a world title by now already.

"He's been at this level for too long and I think that could work in my favour. Yes, I've needed time away from the sport but my motivation never left and I've never been hungrier.

"It's going to be a good, interesting fight and I can see me taking over in the second half."

Motivation

Rhodes will enter the fight as the underdog but has lost just once since returning from a year's break in 2003 - winning seven fights in succession.

And with the former 'Spice Boy' closing in on a world title shot at such a late stage of his career, nothing has been left to chance in the gym.

"I'd say this is the biggest fight in the second half of my career," he added. "I've got unbelievable motivation and I'm ready to give 100 percent.

"I've been beating all my records in the gym, pushing all the young lads around. I'm ready."

Promoter Frank Maloney believes the loser will have nowhere left to go.

"Both of these fighters are world rated, it has a world eliminator tag, and I'll pushing Jamie's case for a title fight or a title eliminator next," he said.

"No disrespect to Ryan, but the loser should retire - that's my opinion, I don't know if either of them are thinking that.

"They've achieved everything they can at domestic level and basically the loser is not world class, it's as simple as that."