Concepcion and Hammond battle for last spot in next Prizefighter - 04/02/2010

MARTIN Concepcion and Kevin Hammond will battle on Friday for the eighth spot in the next Prizefighter event.

The pair clash in a ten-round Midlands Area contest at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham with the winner claiming a place in Prizefighter Light-Middleweights.

Concepcion, 28, the current Midlands Champion, has previously fought for the Commonwealth Championship and has won 15 of his 21 contests, ten inside the distance.

Martin Concepcion has won 15 out of his 21 contests

“The prospect of being in Prizefighter is more motivation for me going into the fight,” admitted Concepcion.

"Boxers who have won Prizefighter have gone on to challenge for major titles and that's my target.

"But I'm not looking beyond Hammond. I've got to get him out of the way and then think about Prizefighter."

The line-up for Prizefighter Light-Middleweights, which takes place on February 26 at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, east London, includes former Commonwealth Champion Bradley Price and ex-British title holder Neil Sinclair.

Two undefeated boxers – Brett Flournoy and Steve O’Meara – are among the contenders, as are highly-rated prospects Prince Arron, Danny Butler and George Hillyard.

However, 29-year-old Hammond, who has never been stopped in his ten-fight professional career, is confident of defeating Concepcion and then winning Prizefighter.

Kevin Hammond has never been stopped in his professional career

"There are some big names in Prizefighter but I think I have got as good a chance as any, if I get past Concepcion," said Hammond.

"The other lads in the show have more experience than me and have been there and done it, but I would be pretty confident.

"The fights are only three rounds and I am a fast starter so I think the format would suit my style.

"The fact that it is on TV would not be a problem. I have fought on the Sky shows before and I get up for them more.

"If I win the Concepcion fight, I will take the weekend off then start training for another two weeks which will be just about right."

Tickets for Prizefighter Light-Middleweights cost £30 and £50 and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. All the action will also be screened live on Sky Sports.