JONJO Finnegan is to top the bill on a fantastic fight night in Burton next month.
Manager Errol Johnson has confirmed the British Masters super-middleweight champion will battle for the vacant Midlands Area title at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, September 24, on what promises to be an action-packed night.
Duane Parker, from Woodville, gets the chance to avenge the only loss on his 14- fight record when he meets Richard Troupe in a rematch and rising star Tom Shaw will aim to extend his 100 per cent record in front of his home crowd.
The top-of-the-bill fight features Finnegan going head-to-head with Eddie McIntosh over 10 rounds.
McIntosh is a punching machine from Birmingham and Finnegan expects the toughest test of an always exciting 24- fight career.
Finnegan had to dig deep to outpoint Dean Walker in a give-and-take thriller at the Meadowside Leisure Centre last October and the 31-year-old knows he will need a repeat performance at the home of Burton Albion.
“I’ve boxed good lads but I think this could be my toughest fight yet,” said Finnegan.
“Eddie is a fit, busy fighter. He throws lots of punches — and I’m planning to throw even more than him! “I’ve got to be ready to throw non-stop punches for 10 rounds if I want to win this belt.”
As an amateur, Finnegan won Midlands ABA honours — outpointing slippery Derby southpaw Voha Petkovic to win the title — and was ranked in the top 10.
He is determined to emulate that success as a professional and says his new strength and conditioning coach can help him achieve his targets.
Damon Eaton also works with Derby University Rugby Club and Finnegan said: “I’ve done a lot of work with Damon and it’s definitely making a difference.
“I feel I’m punching harder and I’m going to be fit enough to throw hard punches for 10 rounds.” Finnegan is also heading to Tenerife in the coming weeks as part of his big-fight preparations.
He trained with Nicky Cook, the former WBO world super-featherweight champion, before outpointing Walker for the British Masters belt and believes the altitude training he does there will be the perfect preparation for his latest title scrap.
“Hopefully, I can win this title, then move on and fight for bigger titles,” said Finnegan.
“I’ve always had great support in Burton and I’m hoping everyone turns out to support me again.
“My supporters were a massive help to me when I won the title. They got behind me when the going got tough and that helped me through. This fight will be even tougher and I will need all the support I can get.”
Finnegan is no stranger to the Pirelli Stadium.
He supports the Brewers and was a decent footballer himself.
He played as a striker for several local teams, including Newhall United, and said: “I wasn’t a bad player, but boxing took over.” Tickets for the show are available by calling 07581 186675.
Finnegan is also looking for a sponsor for the fight and can be contacted on the same number.
