Singleton gets the call to fight for British title

Welterweight boxer Shayne Singleton is confident that he'll be crowned British and Commonwealth king, despite describing his forthcoming contest with defending champion Bradley Skeete as the 'hardest fight' of his life.
Shayne Singleton celebrates after stopping Adil Anwar at the Manchester Arena (s)Shayne Singleton celebrates after stopping Adil Anwar at the Manchester Arena (s)
Shayne Singleton celebrates after stopping Adil Anwar at the Manchester Arena (s)

The 26-year-old Pendle pugilist was named by the British Boxing Board of Control as the mandatory challenger for the Londoner with the fight ordered to take place by the end of November.

With the bout going to purse bids, promoters will now have until August 10th to throw their financial weight at the match-up in a bid to secure it for one of their shows.

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“I’m fully motivated,” said Singleton. “I’m going to be fighting Bradley Skeete for the British and Commonwealth titles before the end of November so I’ve got to be ready. I can’t wait and I’m really happy with the news. I

“t’s a serious match up and a good 50/50 fight. I’m on a massive high from beating Adil Anwar and finally getting the recognition that I feel I deserve. I think this has come at the right time for me.

“I want to achieve more, reach even further and I feel I can do that. I’m at the top of my game.”

The owner of the WBC International Silver strap at 147lbs was beaten by Sam Eggington over 16 months ago, the same man who lost a unanimous decision verdict to the BoxNation fighter in March.

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However, Singleton feels that he learned and evolved from his first ever setback in the professional ranks and is adamant that he has the attributes to dethrone the British number three.

“Styles make fights and that’s certainly the case for this one,” he said. “He won’t have boxed many people with my type of movement before and that, coupled with my speed, will be key to the fight.

“I won’t be a still target for Skeete like Eggington was and I won’t follow him around the ring. Eggington approached him in straight lines as well which won’t happen.

“Skeete was toying with him at times, his hands were down and he was confident. He did everything right to the tee that night and his performance really impressed me.”

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Singleton added: “We haven’t set a gameplan just yet because we’re focusing on hardcore training sessions to boost fitness levels for now. There won’t be any pad work or sparring yet.

“We’ll probably look to take the jab away from him, make him miss, because that is one of his strengths. I’ll look to slip him on the inside and the outside and counter him.

“He’s got a longer reach than me so stepping back and fighting on the back foot isn’t even an option. I’ve either got to put it on him or command the centre of the ring. I think he’s in for a bit of a shock really.

“The only person he’s fought with a similar style to me was Frankie Gavin and he lost that fight. I just think that I’ve got that bit more grit and nastiness inside me which I’ve learned to control and use to good effect.

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On the back of an impressive knockout win against former English champion Anwar - in full view of Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn and a bumper crowd at the Manchester Arena - Singleton admits that the challenge has arrived at the perfect time for him.

“This is the hardest fight of my life against the best opponent I’ve ever faced,” he said. “I’m fully confident that I’ll go in and do the job though. If I didn’t feel that way then I wouldn’t take the fight.

“I’m not just doing it because there are titles on the line or for the money. To have worked my way in to a mandatory position is a great achievement.

“I’m the number one challenger in Britain. It’s a great honour and a great position to be in.

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“I think the fight will see two of the best boxers in the welterweight division. I’d put Skeete up there with some of the best.

“I’ve got to prove that I’m at that level now as well. This is my opportunity to show that I’m not just at international or English level. I’ve got to prove that I can mix it with the top lads in Britain.

“It’s the biggest fight of my career so I’m putting everything in to it now to make sure that I come out on top.

“I’m on a massive high from beating Adil Anwar and finally getting the recognition that I feel I deserve. I think this has come at the right time for me.

“I want to achieve more, reach even further and I feel I can do that. I’m at the top of my game.”

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