ULTIMATE BOXXER returns for a sixth instalment – and it’s the turn of the heavyweights.
The blue ribbon division plays host for this Friday’s tournament with eight fighters battling for the winning robe.
Ex-world champions Amir Khan, Anthony Crolla and Paulie Malignaggi are all ambassadors for the knockout competition
Ex-world champions Amir Khan, Anthony Crolla and Paulie Malignaggi are all ambassadors for the knockout competition.
But who are the heavyweight hopefuls competing?
Jonathan Palata (7-0)
Dubbed the favourite going into the tournament, Palata is unbeaten as a pro signed to veteran promoter Frank Warren.
Boasting an impressive run in the amateurs, winning a handful of titles, he earned the nickname God Speed Palate or GSP.
The 31-year-old trains at the famous Peacock Gym in Canning Town – home to heavyweight star Daniel Dubois and former world title challenger Anthony Yarde.
Palata said: “I’ve trained for this too hard, I’ve sacrificed, I don’t believe anyone here has sacrificed what I’ve sacrificed for this tournament.”
Palata is unbeaten as a pro signed to veteran promoter Frank Warren
Nick Webb (13-2)
Webb is a familiar face for British boxing fans and came up short to Dave Allen last year losing by fourth round knockout.
But the Surrey man is looking to avenge the defeat and use the tournament as a second chance.
Webb is also joined by familiar faces in the tournament, having lost to Kamil Sokolowski in his last fight but owning a win against Stockport’s Chris Healey.
He said going into Friday: “It’s taken me a while to come back but now I’m mentally stronger and tougher than before.
“This tournament will catapult me back where I need to be.”
Webb is a familiar face for British boxing fans and came up short to Dave Allen last year losing by fourth round KO
Kamil Sokolowski (7-15-2)
Sokolowski is an ex-Muay-Thai champion who turned to boxing to challenge himself.
Initially beginning his career losing seven out of his first nine, the Pole is now in winning form and a dark horse entering the tournament.
But Sokolowski thrives off being the underdog.
He said: “I like being the underdog, in this tournament I’m the darkhorse and I’m very happy because if I win it will make me famous, as people call me the ‘darkhorse’.
“My record doesn’t look very good, because it’s 8-15-2 but records do not win fights.”
Sokolowski is an ex-Muay-Thai champion who turned to boxing to challenge himself
Mark Bennett (5-0)
Bennett is a former army soldier having toured Afghanistan before a serious injury forced a medical discharge.
He only began boxing age 27 but is unbeaten both boxing on the unlicensed and as a professional with five wins in the paid ranks.
Bennett said: “I’ve got massive heart and my life experiences have really pushed my mental strength, that’s a big factor.
“This is to add to the memories, the stories I can tell my grandkids when I’m older that I was in the army, a professional boxer and fought on Ultimate Boxxer and won the golden robe.
“This is a big platform for me and it’s all a stepping stone and positive.”
Bennett is a former army soldier having toured Afghanistan before a serious injury forced a medical discharge
Chris Healey (8-6)
Looking to bounce back from a serious back injury that sidelined him for two years, Healey enters the tournament as a well schooled amateur.
Healey has losses to UB heavyweights Palata, Bennett and Webb – but will rematch the latter in the opening round.
He said: “I think this will help promote me a lot more, people will see what I actually can do, whereas before doing small hall shows it can go unrecognised.
“Every time I’ve boxed these guys it’s been on short notice and working, for the Webb fight I had three days training but I had to get in there as the money was right.
“Whereas now, I’ve had the time to train properly and prepare correct and I’m ready for anyone.”
Healey enters the tournament as a well schooled amateur
Jay McFarlane (10-4)
McFarlane enters the tournament as the youngest fighter at 21, but what he lacks in age he makes up for in charisma.
The witty Scotsman fought in in New York at Madison Square Garden against Matt McKinney in March 2018, and lost to Josh Sandland in the same year – he will face Bennet in the first round in Manchester.
McFarlane said: “Age is just a number and it’s not even a factor in this tournament. I’m usually the loudest anywhere I go, it’s how I’ve always been.
“I’m underestimated all the time. But I’m prepared for war and I’ve been drawn against the war hero.
“This is life changing and maybe I will be able to move out of my mum’s house! This does genuinely mean everything to me, boxing has saved my life and this is another chance for it to do so.”
McFarlane enters the tournament as the youngest fighter at 21, but what he lacks in age he makes up for in charisma
Josh Sandland (4-1-1)
Sandland is a former professional rugby league player but left the sport on a bitter note when he was 21.
His only loss came to Tom Little two years ago and comes into UB 6 having beaten McFarlane.
The ex-Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Wildcats player wants to use the tournament as another way of shining as an individual sportsman.
Sandland said: “I always thought I was always in front of the players I played and in a team sport you’re always limited to what you can do.
“When you’re on your own you can shine more. Every fight I’ve had it coming together more and more.”
Sandland is a former professional rugby league player but left the sport on a bitter note when he was 21
Danny Whitaker (2-0)
Whitaker enters the tournament as a late replacement after Sean Turner pulled out, and will face highly touted Palata in the opening round, making him an outsider from the off.
But having won a similar tournament in the unlicensed ranks Whitaker is not phased by being the underdog, nor facing the favourite.
Whittaker said: “I think it will play in my favour them not knowing much about me and this was too much of a big opportunity for me to say no to.
“Palata is a favourite for a reason, I understand and appreciate that but my mentality going into this was there was no easy fights anyway.
“It didn’t bother me who I was fighting, I’m just grateful to be given this huge opportunity.”
Whitaker enters the tournament as a late replacement after Sean Turner pulled out
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
