By Lee Collier

Denton Vassell aims to carry on the recent good run of title victories for Bob Shannon’s Fighting Fit gym in Openshaw when he challenges for the vacant Commonwealth welterweight title on Friday against Lee Purdy at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan on a Hatton Promotions show.

Shannon’s gym head honcho, Bob Shannon, recently guided the young Prince Arron to victory in the Prizefighter tournament before taking Matthew Hatton to a European title.  Even though Vassell has only been given a small amount of notice for his first title fight Shannon feels it is a great chance for his fighter.

“It’s another short notice fight as we only got 2½ weeks notice.  We were on the train coming back from London after Matthew’s fight and we got the call asking would we fight for the Commonwealth title against Mark Thompson and it only took five minutes for us to agree to it,” revealed Shannon. 

“It was a great opportunity for us but now Mark Thompson is out of the equation and we have Lee Purdy.  He is a great fighter, an area champion who has only lost once in 14 fights.  He is a come forward fighter and it will be a great fight between him and Denton.”

Vassell is sometimes seen as a slow starter so Shannon is hoping that the 12 round championship distance will benefit his fighter.  “I think Denton is definitely a long distance fighter, opined Shannon. 

“This is what we are working on to get him firing early on instead of taking three or four rounds to warm up.  I am just hoping with Purdy being a fighter who wants to get in the trenches that he will be on top of Denton early and that will bring the best out of him.”

Shannon continued: “I want to see him start quick, we know he will finish quick and I’m excited about this fight and it will be defining fight for Denton.  He is in the spotlight now and we will see whether Denton can handle the pressure, no-one will know but we’ll find out on Friday.”

Shannon is no stranger to the Commonwealth welterweight title after guiding Ali Nuumbembe to the title back in 2007; he is happy that his gym and his new batch of fighters are finally having some success.

“You get troughs in boxing, you have a champion then you lose that champion but it’s my time now.  I have always been around the top level but it’s my time at the top again and I want to stay on top as I feel I have a lot to offer.  After Denton and Prince Arron I will run out of fighters to make into champions so hopefully I’ll get some young boxers coming on board with me in the near future,” predicted Shannon.

Tickets to see Denton Vassell fight for the Commonwealth title can be bought by ringing the box office on 0161 775 7500.

Tickets are priced as below.

£30.00 General Admission

£75.00 VIP Ringside