Last man standing

Glenn McCrory looks forward to Prizefighter and gives his take on the eight men fighting it out on Friday night.

Glenn McCrory on why Prizefighter has got boxing buzzing

There is a great little buzz going around the sport at the moment, thanks to Prizefighter. Last man standing, £25,000 for the winner, it's something different. And from what I can tell, it has got people talking. The eight guys going into battle at the York Hall might not be household names, but whoever comes out on top and ends up winning really could catapult himself onto the British scene at least. It's a great opportunity to stand out, never mind pocket the sort of cash these guys will never even have come close to as professionals. Most of them won't have topped a bill before, but because there's eight of them, collectively they can make headlines - and the winner will get some decent publicity. It's all set up for some great scraps and it is something I would have loved to have a crack at in my day, especially against some of the smaller guys. But rest assured, I am not going to do 'a Johnny Nelson' and will be sat snugly in the studio come Friday night! This will not be like the amateurs either, although it is over three rounds. The referee won't be breaking them up as quickly and it is going to be tougher than anything you'll see in the amateur game - and probably tougher than a lot of these guys have experienced as a pro. What makes it more exciting is we have three undefeated kids. That always adds to any fight and the simple fact that someone's o has got to go just adds more fuel to the fire. People have said the fighters look like a collection of nightclub bouncers, but what else would they be? Heavyweights are big, tough guys. As Ricky Hatton once said, this is not going to be a tickling contest. The bookies favourite is David Dolan, someone I know quite well. He won the Commonwealth gold six years ago and has been a little bit careful as a pro, but is still 28 and still relatively fresh. He's not quite Audley Harrison, but if he wants to make a move, now is the time.

Contenders

And having spoken to David recently, I know he sees this as the perfect chance. This could be the making of him. It's not about the money, even if it is a tidy little sum, it's about launching himself into the realms of the British title contenders, the guys we have all seen on Sky Sports over the past couple of years. And I am sure one or two other fighters heading for the York Hall are thinking the same thing. Even so, don't expect these kids to just come running out and start throwing the big bombs. That's when mistakes are made and there has to be some thought to what they do. They also have to plan for three fights in one night, calculate how they play the first one, while keeping something back for the second one and then making sure they're OK for the third one. I know David has been sparring two or three rounds, getting out of the ring, then back in again for another two or three rounds, just trying to get used to the format. He's been working with Neil Fannon - who trained Michael Hunter for many a war - so maybe we can expect some fireworks from him. But he has a tough draw starting against Darren Morgan and if he gets through, Colin Kenna, so should Dolan live up to his billing and come out on top he will have earned it.

Glenn's guide to the Prizefighters

DAVID FERGUSON
Age: 32 Born: 28.02.76 Height: 6'4"
Career: Fights: 4 Wins: 4 KO's: 1 Lost: 0
Skybet odds: 9/2
GLENN'S GUIDE: A big kid from my area up in Newcastle, David is pretty much a novice. But he is a big strong kid and he is undefeated - and when you haven't lost that does spur you on, so he'll be a cagey customer. But he can stop guys early and although he has only had four fights, this might suit him. BILLY BESSEY
Age: 34 Born: 08.01.74 Height: 6'1"
Career: Fights: 12 Wins: 7 KO's: 0 Lost: 5
Skybet odds: 9/1
GLENN'S GUIDE: A very good amateur and former ABA champion, who has been working hard and training well with brother Chris - another good amateur in his day. Billy is a decent fighter but does struggle with his weight (I think he likes a pint) and that lets him down at times. But he should be in shape for this - £25,000 gets most people out of bed in the morning! ALEX IBBS
Age: 22 Born: 17.08.85 Height: 6'4"
Career: Fights: 4 Wins: 3 KO's: 0 Lost: 1
Skybet odds: 8/1
GLENN'S GUIDE: The youngster among them. At 22 I would think this has come a little bit too early for him, but it will be a great experience. But he is a tough guy and as a recent amateur should be used to boxing more than once in a day. Experience will be key here, but fresh legs might just count for something. MARTIN ROGAN
Age: 33 Born: 01.05.74Height: 6'3"
Career: Fights: 7 Wins: 7 KO's: 4 Lost: 0
Skybet odds: 9/2
GLENN'S GUIDE: Another one of our undefeated fighter and one you can make a real case for. He's a tough customer and all four of his professional KO's have come inside three rounds, so he can clearly dig. At 23 he should have experience on his side and might well be the wildcard here. I can see him upsetting a few people. PAUL BUTLIN
Age: 32 Born: 16.03.76 Height: 6'1½"
Career: Fights: 16 Wins: 11 KO's: 2 Lost: 5
Skybet odds: 8/1
GLENN'S GUIDE: A bit hot and cold as a fighter and certainly not a great puncher. He's lost his last two and that is going to make it hard for him, but he does have more pro fights under his belt than most which will help. As part of Matt Skelton's camp, you would have thought he will have some quality sparring behind him. COLIN KENNA
Age: 31 Born: 28.07.76Height: 6'1"
Career: Fights: 24 Wins: 16 KO's: 7 Lost: 6
Skybet odds: 9/2
GLENN'S GUIDE: Much more experienced than then rest, he's right up there in the British rankings alongside the likes of Roman Greenberg and not far behind Danny Williams and Michael Sprott. He's got an excellent chance of going all the way and has six wins inside three rounds, which is more than some of these guys have had fights. DARREN MORGAN
Age: 31 Born: 26.10.76Height: 6'1½"
Career: Fights: 8 Wins: 5 KO's: 3 Lost: 3
Skybet odds: 12/1
GLENN'S GUIDE: The Welshman is strong, a real rock. And don't take your eyes off him because he will want to have a fight, don't worry about that. He has stopped people inside three and will prove a real handful for the favourite, David Dolan. He is being thrown in at the deep end, so will he sink or swim? DAVID DOLAN
Age: 28 Born: 28.10.79Height: 6'2"
Career: Fights: 7 Wins: 7 KO's: 3 Lost: 0
Skybet odds: 5/2
GLENN'S GUIDE: The favourite and rightly so, although he's got the tough half the draw. I criticised him once for not building on winning the 2002 Commonwealth gold, but he sees this as the chance to launch his career. An excellent amateur, he has the speed, skill and experience - and knows all about boxing under pressure.