Welshman Weetch ready to show serious side inside the ring
WELSH fighter Jamie Weetch was all fun and games at the weigh-in yesterday, but his coach says that will end when the bell rings.
Weetch was a highlight of the weigh-ins at The Ville casino after taunting opponent Isaac Hardman with a cheeky gesture and a middle finger.
Hardman, known as the Head Splitter, was having little of the antics as he threw a few verbal punches as the pair walked off stage.
Weetch’s coach Justin Lacey, who operates Lacey’s Boxing Gym in Perth, said it was the climax to a heated war of words between the two middleweights.
“There has been quite a build up between these two. I am sure there will be no love lost in the ring,” he said.
“They have been geeing each other up a bit ever since the fight was announced. I think Isaac likes to talk things up and Jamie just obliges him.”
While his fighter was full of cheek at the weigh-in, Lacey said it would not be evident in the ring.
The pair have worked together for the better part of a decade after Weetch was forced to flee his native Wales after being caught in what he described as a family feud.
Weetch is a graduate of the school of hard knocks and was once a champion on the British underground, or “unlicensed”, boxing scene.
Lacey said he had not seen his fighter more in tune with himself than ahead of this fight, which will be the comain event of the Horn v Tszyu undercard.
“This has been one of the best camps I have seen him in. I think he is very motivated,” Lacey said.
“He gained a lot of experience against Dennis Hogan. He got pipped at the post in that fight.
“But Weetchy has such a big future. He really ticks all of the boxes in the ring. He has a lot of movement, good speed – I think a lot of people who watch him fight have never seen his true boxing ability. He will switch it on (tonight). You will see him at his best.”
WEETCHY HAS SUCH A BIG FUTURE. HE REALLY TICKS ALL OF THE BOXES IN THE RING ... I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WATCH HIM FIGHT HAVE NEVER SEEN HIS TRUE BOXING ABILITY
JUSTIN LACEY