Shayne Singleton ready to fight!

WBC International Silver champion Shayne Singleton insists he’s had the perfect preparation for his potentially ‘life changing’ title defence against Matchroom’s Sam Eggington on Saturday.
Shayne Singleton v Nodar Robakidze, Victoria Warehouse, Manchester in October. Picture: @kelvinstuttardShayne Singleton v Nodar Robakidze, Victoria Warehouse, Manchester in October. Picture: @kelvinstuttard
Shayne Singleton v Nodar Robakidze, Victoria Warehouse, Manchester in October. Picture: @kelvinstuttard

The British number 10 welterweight, who takes an untainted record from 20 professional fights in to the contest, feels he’s raised the bar continuously throughout a training camp that’s involved some of the best in the business.

The 25-year-old, who was crowned English supremo with victory over former footballer Curtis Woodhouse two years ago, has mixed it with Commonwealth, British and WBA Continental super welterweight strap-holder Liam Smith in sparring as well as WBO World super welterweight title holder Brian Rose, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald, hot prospect Tomi Tatham and the unbeaten Rick Godding.

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“My preparation has been absolutely spot on,” said Singleton. “I’m feeling really good because everything has gone to plan.

“I’ve been flying through my training and I’m peaking at the right time. It’s been like starting again. We’ve been planning new things to fight Sam Eggington; we’re going in there with a game plan.

“It’s massive. Sparring with Liam Smith was quality and I really enjoyed it. I did really well and it was a great experience. Brian Rose was a really tough spar as well. I’ve been holding my own in there with fighters of that calibre.

“Scott Fitzgerald is very good too and he’s one of the best I’ve been in the ring with. He said the same about me too. He told me that he ‘hated coming to spar me’ which is a huge compliment.”

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The former Sandygate ABC amateur added: “Tomi Tatham is also very strong. He’s a raw fighter but very powerful. I felt the pressure and his presence early on but I coped with it. I knew it was paying off at that stage. I was still bouncing around the ring in the later rounds.

“There’s also been Rick Godding who is 20 unbeaten. He’s back after a shoulder injury so I got some good rounds in with him as well. I’ve done in excess of 130 rounds so far. It’s been the perfect preparation.

“I sometimes feel a bit drained and tired at the end of training camps when I’m reaching weight and cutting food. But this time I’ve still been giving 100 per cent and I’m full of energy.

“My strength and power has come on leaps and bounds. I feel more explosive. I’m a completely different fighter now. I’m not a back foot boxer which will suit me better.”

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With the formalities of the press conference and the weigh-in complete, focus now switches to fight night.

Tommy Coyle and Martin Gethin will top the bill at Hull’s Ice Arena for ‘Divide and Conquer’, aired live on Sky Sports 1, but it was Singleton and Eggington’s 10-rounder that forced promoter Eddie Hearn to tweet:

“One fight I’m really looking forward to in Hull is @eggington_sam v @Shaynesing1 - two tough, talented lads with plenty of support”.

“Some people are fancying him and others are fancying me,” said Singleton. “It’s going to be a cracking fight. Eddie Hearn knows it’s going to be a serious fight as well. He wouldn’t put it on otherwise.

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“It’s definitely going to be the fight of the night. I’m glad I’m finally getting some recognition. This is my time to do it and I can’t wait for it now.

“I’ve enjoyed this build up more because I know what the reward could be at the end of it. This is a life-changing opportunity for me.

“Knowing what the prize is for beating Sam Eggington is what’s made me want to work so hard.

“It’s what has made me want to get up early in the morning in all kinds of weather to go out running. It’s what’s made me want to go to the gym and train so hard. It’s what has made me push myself. I’ve had a totally different mindset.”

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He added: “There’s no pressure on me. I’ve done everything right. I’ll go in there and give it everything. There’ll be nothing left behind, no regrets. I know for a fact that I’ll beat Sam Eggington.

“I’m not going to let anybody take this away from me. This is my time now. All those 20 fights have been leading to this. It’s all on this one night and I’ve got to step up to the mark.”

Shayne would like to thank his fans, Muscle Meat and Wellocks for their continued support and sponsorship.

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