Micky steeds set for british cruiserweight title fight

By Simon Hayes on May 29, 2008 9:00 AM |

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THE Isle of Dogs could be celebrating its very own British boxing champion this summer.

Rising cruiserweight Micky Steeds has been lined up for a shot at the vacant British crown on July 11, when he faces former WBU world champion Robert Norton in a 12-round bout in Wolverhampton.

It represents remarkable progress for 24-year-old Steeds, who only moved down to the cruiserweight division at the start of last year, after starting his career at heavyweight. His trainer, Mark Roe, believes his boxer has a genuine chance of glory.

“Micky’s really settled in at cruiserweight,” he said. “He’s over the moon about getting a title fight and is training hard for it, but it’s no less than he deserves.

“He knew it wouldn’t be easy to change weight because this is a very tough division with some great fighters. But Micky has come in at the highest level, made the adjustment well and earned the respect of other fighters.”

Steeds won his last fight, only his 13th professional bout, against Paul Bonson in April. But Norton, 36, will be a different propostion.

He has plenty of experience in the 200lb division, including winning a world belt in 1999. The Stourbridge-based southpaw has won 29 of his 34 professional bouts, 19 by knockout, and Roe admitted it won’t be an easy fight.

He said: “Norton’s a real livewire and a good fighter. He likes to come forward all the time but that will suit Micky more than Bonson did.

“Bonson was a tough customer and Norton will be just as hard. He’s a seasoned campaigner and can punch a bit, but Micky’s ready for it.”

Steeds will have one more bout, in Portsmouth on June 13, before his title fight. His one previous crack at a British title, at heavyweight in October 2006, ended in a points defeat against champion Scott Gammer.

He’ll be hoping for a better result this time, and success on July 11 could lead to even bigger things, including a possible match against former WBO world champion Enzo Maccarinelli – who lost his title to David Haye at The O2 in March.

But Roe is not looking that far ahead yet. He said: “We’re concentrating on Norton for now but if Micky comes through then there’s no telling how far he could go. He’s definitely heading in the right direction.”

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk