Ace Wright aims to shine on home turf

Boxer Danny Wright in training before his next fight

A BIG night beckons for boxer Danny Wright on Saturday as he bids to extend his unbeaten professional record in front a packed home-town crowd.

Failsworth's highly rated welterweight prospect Wright (21), who continues to make excellent progress under trainer Ben Lancaster at his 'Old School' gym, will be going for a fifth straight victory in the paid ranks at the Oldham Sports Centre, against an as-yet-unnamed opponent.

Having shone in Bolton, Trafford Park and Wigan in his earlier bouts, now is the time to shine for his home fans.

Wright said: "It's brilliant for me to get on a home show like this.

"It's going to be mint, and it's certainly given me an extra lift during training.

"Between me (stable-mates and pro debutants on the night), Jack Kilgannon and Joe Eko, we've sold in excess of 300 tickets, so it's going to be quite a special one.

"The atmosphere is going to be a great."

Former amateur star Wright will make his first step up to six rounds - as opposed to four - on Saturday, and he's more than ready to go the extra distance if required.

Wright said: "I feel better that I'm moving up to six-rounders now. That extra bit of time is important because four-rounders do feel like they're a bit of a sprint sometimes.

"In a four-rounder, after three your opponent can see the finishing line and it can give them a bit of heart. In a six-rounder, they're only half-way there of course.

"If you don't get things quite right early in a six-rounder, you've still got time to put it right. It's much better."

Should everything go to plan on Saturday, Wright is hoping he may get the nod to fight on one of Frank Warren's recently-announced shows in the autumn.

Wright's trainer Lancaster, meanwhile, still has massively high hopes for his star charge, as have many other punters who are keeping an eye out for the next big genuine boxing prospect.

Lancaster has to work hard just to curb Wright's infectious enthusiasm for his sport.

Lancaster said: "One of the hardest jobs for me with Danny is just trying to slow him down.

"He works so hard and is so dedicated, it gets to the stage where I have to tell him that his body needs a rest. He is looking great again, though.

"Sparring has been good ­- he's been in with Ryan Mulcahy and Zelfa Barrett ­- and his confidence is sky high right now."

Mark Heffron tops Saturday's VIP Promotions bill at the sports centre. Read his big fight preview in tomorrow's Chronicle.

The Shaw-based, Ricky Hatton-trained super-middleweight will bid to stretch his perfect professional record to 17 wins from 17 fights. Just a few tickets, priced at £35 (standard) and £60 (ringside), are still available for the show, which also features Liam Taylor, Jack Flatley, Shakeeb Ali, Qasim Niaz, Luke Willis, Lee Oldham and Rasheed Mohammed. Log on to: vipboxing.tv for the link.

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