It's a sprint not a marathon, says Johnny Nelson as he runs the rule over Saturday's Prizefighter show.
Sprott and Skelton favourites, can they handle the pace?
Prizefighter is made for the heavyweights.
Whenever we talk about this competition, this format, it is with the big guys in mind; they are the ones we refer to, they are the ones we always remember.
You only have to look back at the past three winners to see it really does throw up real-life Rocky stories. We will be joined by cabbie-turned-Commonwealth champion Martin Rogan on Ringside this week; living proof of what winning Prizefighter can throw your way - apart from the money!
Sam Sexton went on to take that Commonwealth belt off Rogan after winning the second series and of course, Audley Harrison said he would quit the sport if he didn't win the last one - and we all know where he is now.
Even with those three we weren't sure they were win and that will always be the beauty of this format; you can never put your finger on who will end up pocketing that £32,000.
This time, we have the usual mix of former champions, former title contenders and young lads from across Britain. All the talk - and betting - is centred around those two old warhorses, Michael Sprott and Matt Skelton, but how often does the favourite win this tournament?
Besides, people are judging those two on former glories, understandably, and those two cracking fights they had. They were both 12-round marathons, but what you need to look at is how these guys can handle a sprint, because that is just what this is.
Mayhem
The three rounds might suit Sprott more because he can put pressure on people from the off, but Skelton is more used to wearing people down and there is just not enough time to do that.
That is the one downside to heavyweights over three rounds, they are usually slow starters and we are never going to get three rounds of mayhem like Hagler-Hearns! But these guys do not want to box longer than they have to and believe me, most of them will be looking for that first-round finish, especially in the first fight!
If it doesn't come off they will settle down and see the three rounds through, but the beauty is we all know one punch can change it all. But I do think the smaller heavies will fare better, just because they will not slow as quickly and can turn things round in the shorter space of time.
Professional experience doesn't always count for much, either. In fact, in a way, ignorance is bliss - providing you are aware of your ignorance!
Pedigree
I think naivety can, in a way, help because there is just no time to stick to a plan and certainly no way you can factor in what is going to happen over the shorter distance, because you just don't know how the other guy is going to handle it.
That is why I would've hated it and why you'd have never caught me in Prizefighter -no matter how much money was on the table!
It suits some guys better than others. Yes, those with the good amateur pedigree - like Audley - are suited to it, but to do three-round fights, possibly three times a night is not what you want when you're a long-in-the-tooth pro used to taking your time. It's just not my idea of fun.
Luckily though, I will be watching on at the York Hall as intrigued, excited and enthralled as the rest of you. And right now, I have no idea who is going to win.
You would have to side with the bookmakers and say Sprott has to be the favourite but down the years, the favourite rarely wins Prizefighter, so I am going to throw a dark horse in the mix.
I have heard good things about the Irish lad Declan Timlin; he's unbeaten in seven, isn't the biggest and of course he comes from a part of the world where they love their boxing - and they love Prizefighter!
Click on the link to see what Johnny, Adam Smith, Martin Rogan and Derek Chisora made of the Prizefighter line-up on this week's Ringside.
