“Summers Can’t Hurt Me” Insisist Zaber
Manny Zaber insists Jack Summers can’t hurt him in their BCB’s Midlands Boxing Super Series tie - despite his opponent’s claims to the contrary.
The two stable-mates and former sparring partners are set to do battle and the vocal barbs are the first traded between the two.
Eight super featherweights have been paired for four six-round bouts when the elimination tournament begins at Walsall Town Hall next weekend. The competition will play out to a final, with the Midlands Super Featherweight Title up for grabs, and take place over three separate shows, staged by BCB Promotions.
The first is next Sunday, October 15, with the semis to happen by the end of the year and the final in early 2018.
There were gasps during the draw at BCB’s sponsors the Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on Bentley Mill Way, last month, when Summers and Zaber were paired.
West Bromwich’s Summers was quick to state that he will catch and hurt his rival but Zaber, from Old Hill, isn’t worried.
Former white collar boxer Zaber has 10 points wins and one loss, retiring after five rounds because of a bad cut against Josh Baillie. Both are aged 22, with Summers just five days older.
Summers is less experienced with three points victories and two defeats as a pro, with one TKO loss for a British Challenge belt to Leon Gower.
Zaber has felt his power in the training ring and feels he doesn’t possess the impact to knock him out cold - and expects his own tools to prove too formidable for Summers over the six round distance.
“I’ll be fitter than ever for this one,” he told bcb-promotions.com. “I’ve brought in a dietician, because I’ve cheated on food before but now I’m eating right.
“It’s made me feel much better in myself and I can train that little bit harder, so there can be no excuses on the night.
“I’m expecting the best Jack Summers, he’s a good boxer but I’m better. My work-rate, in particular, will get me through.
“I don’t like him, I don’t dislike him; I have no feelings towards him. He’s in my way and I’m involved in this to win it all.
“I’ve seen what he’s mentioned, he’s never told me that to my face and I’ll leave him to do the talking. I’ll do mine in the ring.
“I know I’ll need to be at the top of my game to beat him but, if I can do that, I’ll get the win and go through to the next round.
“There’s no way he can hurt me, he’s a boxer not a puncher. I’m a better all-round operator and now I need to prove that.”
Apart from Summers-Zaber Tamworth duo Josh Baillie and Louis Fielding go head to head, , former Midlands champion Paul Holt takes on Waqas Mohammed and Luke Jones tackles Joe Ducker.
Others featuring in the home corner on the Super Series card are Dudley’s Ryan Aston, West Bromwich’s Josh Stokes and Coventry’s Dilly Singh.
The Town Hall first sees Bloxwich’s Luke Paddock shot at world honours, the IBF Youth lightweight bauble against Adam Hague, the night before the Super Series on October 14.
Tickets for either show are on sale now, all priced at £35 and £60 ringside in advance with the latter including a light buffet. It will be £40 standard entry on the door.
For more information, call the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. All are sponsored by the Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on Bentley Mill Way.