Kremner has Ultimate aim
WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTS IN NEW TOURNAMENT
ANDY Kremner is relishing the chance to put a year of frustration behind him when he competes in the inaugural Ultimate Boxxer tournament tomorrow.
The event at the Manchester Arena sees eight unbeaten welterweights compete in three fights in one night in an elimination tournament, with the fights being contested over three rounds.
Kremner is representing Manchester in the event, and heads into it on the back of a difficult period.
A serious shoulder injury had the potential to derail his career, and despite managing to return after a two-year absence, he then suffered another blow when he was the victim of a hit-and-run-car crash.
With all of those problems now firmly behind him, Kremner is determined to show everybody what he is capable of.
“It’s been setback after setback for me, so to finally get something like this is what my career needed,” Kremner told M.E.N. Sport.
“A lot of people thought it would be the end of me after the car crash and the shoulder injury, and my trainer Matthew Hatton said himself that a lot of people would have turned away from the sport.
“I never considered walking away though. You have your low points but I love this sport, it’s something that is in my blood and I’m determined to get where I want to be. I want to win the English or the British title. I’m not in this sport for the money, I’m in it for the belts.”
The Ultimate Boxxer format is similar to the Prizefighter tournaments that took place several years ago, and Kremner is pleased to be in the debut edition. He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. Training has been slightly different as it’s been short, explosive gruelling sessions to cope with the shorter format, and Matthew has really put me through my paces.
“The amateur experience can come in handy. I’ve boxed in places like Poland and Denmark as an amateur in a few multi-nation tournaments, so the three fights in one night format is similar.
“You’ve got to be on the ball, and in football terms it’s like a penalty shoot-out. Anything can happen and that’s what makes it exciting.”
The draw for the tournament took place last week, with Kremner set to go up against Isaac Macleod in a quarter-final bout.
“It’s two of the favourites in the first fight and it’s going to be a belter. I bet the other lads will be happy we’ve drawn each other,” said Kremner. “Hopefully, this tournament can help push me forwards in my career.”