A WIN for Kingsteignton professional boxer Jamie Speight tonight could take him a step closer to a first title shot, writes Dean Stacey.
Speight, who has won all three of his bouts since stepping up to the paid ranks, clashes with Birmingham lightweight Sid Razak at Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre, with the former revealing: 'A Southern Area title eliminator has been mentioned – that's what I'm hoping for after I beat Sid.'
The 21-year-old, who is clearly in confident mood, has been taking to the water in preparation for this evening's fight, applying some of the commando training he learned during his year-long stint in the Royal Marines (October 2006 to October 2007) to help increase his upper body strength.
Speight said: 'I've been heading off to the pool for 90 minutes three times a week, clocking up the lengths to increase the power in my shoulders.
'For a large amount of time, I make sure I don't use my legs so as to maximise the power built up in both arms.'
Away from the water, the tactics for the fight are examined in length at the New Cosmo Gym in Plymouth with mentors Nigel 'Rocky' Christian and Glyn Mitchell.
The former Teign School student added: 'We looked at tapes for a number of Sid's fights and there was always one denominator in all of those bouts – he always keeps coming forward to be in your face from the bell.
'Most of the guys have used hit and run tactics against him – jabbing and moving – but none have faced him head on for any prolonged period.
'However, when you look closer at the videos, you can see him struggle when he is forced on to the back foot.
'With Glyn using large catchment pads and an all over protector, I've been pounding into him – and that's what I plan for Sid when we get together in Wiltshire.'
Razak has had two bouts since this newspaper revealed details of the fight last month, losing both, which means he has now been defeated in 39 of his 43 pro contests.
But he has carved out a reputation in the game for testing up and coming fighters.
Speight knows that another impressive performance in Swindon – where he confidently saw off the challenge of the more experienced Asamoah Wilson in July – will help propel his career further forward.