Troy James is the latest Featherweight to sign up for Prizefighter - thanks to a word from Barry McGuigan.
Former McGuigan charge in Prizefighter line-up
Unbeaten Troy James will put his record on the line in Prizefighter - thanks to Barry Mcguigan.
The Coventry man, 9-0-1, will take his place in the eight-man line-up battling it out for £32,000 when the Featherweights take centre stage at York Hall on Saturday, live on
Sky Sports HD.
But it took a conversation with his former manager and former world featherweight champion McGuigan to persuade him to put his undefeated record at risk.
"I still speak to Barry now and then and he was the one who told me about this Prizefighter," said James.
"I left Barry a while ago because I wasn't getting fights. It wasn't his fault and we parted on good terms and I now work with my local promoter Les Allen and train two minute from my house."
James, 28, turned pro in 2009 under McGuigan's guidance, joining red-hot super-bantamweight prospect Carl Frampton.
But after a decent start, his career began to stall and his studies took over. His four-round points win over journeyman Steve Gethin in September was only the second time he has fought in just over a year.
He has recently finished his diploma in Sports Science at Loughborough University and is now hoping to become the latest boxer to see his career kickstarted by Prizefighter glory.
"Winning this would mean so much for me, my partner Natasha and three kids (11, 4 and 19 months)," he said.
"It would sort us out no end. I would be able to pay off my debts and put a deposit down for a new home.
"But winning Prizefighter could make things take off. I started boxing late so my goal has always been to win the British title, and if you win this tonight a British title fight is a realistic possibility."
James is joined in the line-up by the Mongolian Warrior Choi Tseveenpurev in his second attempt at the format, unbeaten Lee Glover (6-0 from Tipton) and Slough's Ian Bailey, 20 year-old Londoner George Jupp, Liverpool's Lee Jennings, Manchester prospect Rhys Roberts and Nottingham's Barrington Brown, who replaces Mickey Coveney.
Tickets for Prizefighter Featherweights at York Hall, Bethnal Green in east London on October 29 are available from Matchroom Sport priced £35 unreserved, £60 ringside and £100 VIP - to buy call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
