Macklin teams up with Roach

Birmingham boxer raises the stakes as world title shot looms

Last updated: 26th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Macklin teams up with Roach

Macklin: Stepping up

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Matthew Macklin v Dmitry Pirog
European middleweight title
Friday April 16

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Matthew Macklin is the latest British fighter to team up with Freddie Roach and his Wild Card Gym.

The Birmingham-born Irishman won the British and European middleweight titles last year and is hoping to fight for a world title later this year.

The 27-year-old defends the European belt against Dmitry Pirog in Birmingham in April and after preparing in Los Angeles will have Roach in his corner on the night.

Amir Khan has become world champion under Roach's guidance and the opportunity to spar with him and the likes of Manny Pacquiao will give Macklin all the confidence he needs.

"I've won the British and European title, I'm knocking on the door for a world title and it's a realistic thing now," he said.

"It's no bad reflection on (former trainer) Joe Gallagher because he's done a great job and I had the best year of my life with him last year, but I just want to make sure no stone is left unturned.

"There is no comparison to the sparring in Freddie's gym anywhere else in the world."

Macklin will take on Pirog on April 16 and could then have another defence, possibly against the last man to beat him, Jamie Moore, before looking for a world title shot.

"Sebastian Sylvester, the IBF champion, just basically doesn't want the fight and nor do his people," he added. "I'm not number one contender with the IBF so it's not looking likely. Felix Sturm (WBA champion) is tied up in a legal battle.

"So the most likely one is Kelly Pavlik, which is the one I want anyway. When I come through the Pirog fight and maybe another one, I'm basically the biggest fight out there for him anyway within the middleweight division."

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