DUANE Parker will tonight attempt to convince manager Errol Johnson that he is ready to battle for a belt in Burton.
The 23-year-old from Woodville aims to extend his unbeaten record to 14 at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham when Jonjo Finnegan, the British Masters super-middleweight champion from Newhall, is also in action.
Parker has been matched with tough Richard Troupe from Hull in an eightround- fight that could make or break his title ambitions.
Manager Johnson is currently putting together a terrific bill at Meadowside Leisure Centre in September and hopes to have Parker challenging for a light- middleweight title on the show, and Finnegan could also defend his belt in front of his home crowd.
Tom Shaw, the red-hot prospect under contract with Ricky Hatton’s promotional company, could also box on a massive bill.
Parker is a fast-improving boxer who looks to control fights behind his jab and hits hard to the body, but work commitments have kept him away from the Wednesbury gym where he trains with Johnson.
“Duane will be boxing for a title in Burton later this year, if I think he’s ready for it,” said Johnson.
“He’s coming along well, but I haven’t seen him in the gym as much as I would like to.
“We will have to decide what’s next for him after Monday night.
“It’s up to him to prove he’s ready to box for a title.” Finnegan is fired up for his fight in Birmingham.
He was boxing his way to a comfortable points victory, when stocky Derby powerpuncher Elvis Dube tagged him and forced a shock fifth-round stoppage.
They meet again at the Holiday Inn in a rematch and if Finnegan settles the score, there could be a decider on the big Burton show for the vacant Midlands Area super-middleweight title.
“I know what I’ve got to do and I’m going to do it,” said Finnegan on the eve of the six-round fight.
“I was winning the last fight, got a bit tired and ended up standing there and let him set himself to throw big shots.
“He’s had a good win since then, so will be confident and he always comes to fight.
“But I’m 100 per cent fitter this time.
“I’ve been running during my dinner times at work and have been going to the gym all the time.” Tom Shaw’s next fight has also been confirmed.
The Burton light-welterweight has put together backto- back wins and boxes again in Bury on Saturday, July 23 in a show topped by exciting super-bantamweight Scott Quigg.
Shaw has yet to lose a round in posting points wins over Danny Dontchev and Kristian Laight and tickets for the show in Bury are available from 07528 449114.
