Two worlds will collide on Friday night when Nathan Bennett takes on James Moorcroft in a final eliminator for the English welterweight title.
The fight will take place on the undercard of Lyndon Arthur’s world title showdown against Braian Nahuel Suarez at the University of Bolton Stadium. Bennett (12-3, 2 KOs) comes into the bout on the back of three straight wins, with his most recent victory coming against Mykhailo Sovtus at the Eventim Olympia back in December.
The 29-year-old, who is managed by Steve Wood, has worked his way up the professional ranks after a strong amateur career. Moorcroft, on the other hand, turned professional following a successful stint in White Collar boxing.
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“He’s a good fighter," Bennett told the ECHO when asked about his opponent. “He’s technically strong, he’s good, but he is not as good as me.
“I will prove that on the night. He has got no amateur background. He came from White Collar, I have boxed since I was a kid.”
When asked if the fight is set to be a battle of the two worlds, Bennett said: “Yeah it is, he has done well to get where he has from the White Collar scene. There are not many people really who have done well from White Collar boxing."
This will be the second time Bennett has fought at welterweight after spending most of his career at lightweight.
“It is a 50/50 fight, but I believe I am better than him,” he continued in a chat with the ECHO. “It is a new weight, this is my second fight at welterweight. I don’t know how I made 10st looking back now. I just don’t know how I ever did that weight.
“Really when I was doing 10st I was training just to make the weight. I would feel like I had won when I came off the scales at the weigh-in.
“It is a big fight and it is a big year for me. Win this, then win the English title and then it is the British title from there.”
Fight fans will be able to watch all the action live as the bout is being shown on Channel 5 as part of Wasserman Boxing’s ongoing partnership with the broadcaster.
“For the people who don’t have the likes of Sky and DAZN, there are more eyes on it,” Bennett said when asked about the free-to-air showing.
“It is free-to-air on Channel 5. I think I am the co-main event so I think there will be a lot of people watching it.”
And when asked about the prospect of nerves, Bennett said: “I have boxed on Sky and I have boxed on television before.
"It is nothing new to me, don’t get me wrong there will be a bit of nervousness on the night, as there is every fight, but I don’t think you are human if you don’t get nervous.”
Watch Lyndon Arthur’s world title fight against Braian Nahuel Suarez live and for free on Channel 5 on Friday from 10pm.
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