Hutchins swoops for Finnish playmaker

FORMER KICK-BOXING world champion Ronnie Clark has a Scottish boxing title in his sights by the end of the year if his unbeaten record remains intact after tomorrow’s fight night at Dundee Ice Arena.

The super featherweight is topping the bill against Syrian-born veteran Youssef Al Hamidi in the first professional boxing show in Dundee for over two decades.

The promoters have labelled the event the “Homecoming”, and that’s what it will be for Clark as well.

He said: “The last time I fought in Dundee was five years ago, so it’s great to be back fighting at home.

“I switched to boxing from kick-boxing over 18 months ago. I’d like to be more active but if I win this fight it will get me into the top 20 of the British rankings.

“People say don’t run before you can walk but I’m 27 years old and I want to fight. I believe after two more fights I could be challenging the top contenders for the British title.

“I’m being avoided a bit just now. There’s a lot of videos of me on the internet. I want to prove how good I am and now I just want the fights. I want this to be a massive night and then challenge for the Scottish title by the end of the year.

“I’ll fight anybody. You hear that from promoters all the time but I actually mean it. I don’t want to name names but some people are avoiding me, but they can’t run forever.

“They should maybe fight me while I’m a bit raw because I’m only going to get better.”

According to Clark the switch in fighting codes has been more seamless than many had predicted.

He explained: “People said I’d struggle and I’d want to lift my legs, but I’ve been comfortable. It’s different but I’m learning and I’ve adjusted to it.

“This is f ight number six coming up. I’ve had four wins and a draw. The draw was down in Doncaster against an undefeated fighter and there was a bit of controversy. The video tells a different story to the referee, but it was his home town and these things happen in boxing.

“I was having maybe two fights a year with the kick-boxing and that wasn’t enough.

“When I won my world title I wanted to unify them all but people were overpricing themselves and asking for ridiculous money for a fight.

“I’d fought all over the world and I just decided that I’d move over to boxing.”

Both Clark and fellow Dundonian Davie Drummond will have got a strong fanbase, and the light heavyweight will be looking to impress on his professional debut against Scott Edgar.

He said: “I like to go toe-to-toe, so hopefully I can give the crowd a knock-out.

“I’m from this area so hopefully I’ll have a good support. It’s great to be part of the first big show here since the 80s.

“I didn’t think I would be making my pro debut in my home town in such a big event.” DUNDEE Stars ice hockey team yesterday snapped up experienced playmaker Sami Ryhanen ahead of this weekend’s Autumn Cup.

The Finnish centre moved from Nottingham Panthers to French side Ducs de Dijon in the close season.

But the Helsinki-born 32-year-old was unhappy and Stars’ player-coach Jeff Hutchins moved in.

Ryhanen jetted into Scotland yesterday and will be in the line-up for tomorrow’s Autumn Cup clash with Glasgow side Braehead Clan at the Fife IceArena.

He has played inAustria, Italy and Denmark as well as his native country and Hutchins is looking for the player to set up goals for his team-mates.

Last season the Scandinavian recorded 28 assists in 33 outings for Panthers, who won the play-off title and the Challenge Cup, as well as chipping in with nine goals.

Hutchins said: “I’ve been talking to him all summer.

“He signed for a French club but things didn’t work out so we talked again and he’s here.”