7:48am Thursday 4th March 2010
By Peter Martini
HARRY MATTHEWS reckons sparring with feared Londoner Yassine El Machi will stand him in good stead for his biggest fight to date.
The undefeated Pocklington Rocket steps up to six three-minute rounds for the first time when he takes on Birmingham boxer Terry Carruthers for a middleweight match in Milton Keynes on Saturday, March 13.
The fight – the main supporting act to the return of former World, Commonwealth and British champion Graham Earl – will be Matthews’ ninth professional bout, and he believes he is in the best shape of his life.
“I’ve been sparring with Yassine El Machi and he’s the man the other middleweights are fearing at the minute,” said Matthews, who turned 22 last month.
“I’ve been sparring with him and holding my own, and I feel like I’m improving all the time.”
That practice has taken place down in Finchley, with Matthews’ training programme taking him to the capital on weekends, with further sessions in York and Leeds during the week.
He said: “My training has been good down in Finchley. They’ve been putting me through all kinds of training, mostly gymnastic training, and I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.
“I’ve been dedicating my life to boxing at the minute and there will be no excuses if I don’t win. There’s no doubt in my mind I can win.”
Opponent Carruthers has a professional record of five wins, four draws and three defeats, but he is unbeaten in his last four having hit the form of his life.
Matthews, whose last fight was a points verdict over Davey Jones after six two-minute rounds in Hull, said: “A lot of people are saying that Carruthers will be a tough test for me but I’m going out there to prove a point to everybody.
“He’s in good form, but that just motivates me to train hard. It will be a great tear-up.
“He’s not just a journeyman. He comes with a high work-rate and he likes to give crowds a good fight.”
Tickets can be booked by phoning Matthews on 07944 972015.
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