Boxing: Request for Groves clash a timely boost for Anderson

Capital super-middleweight Kenny Anderson has been handed a major incentive to see off opponent Lee Duncan at Meadowbank this Saturday.

The 2006 Commonwealth Games light-heavyweight gold medallist faces the Sheffield fighter over six rounds at Meadowbank on Alex Arthur’s first boxing show promotion.

And Anderson is looking for a strong performance following his management’s move to make him the mandatory challenger for British and Commonwealth champion George Groves’ titles. Anderson, of course, pushed Groves all the way in a Commonwealth title clash in Manchester last November.

“My manager Stevie Woods has just confirmed that he has made a formal request to the Board of Control in Cardiff to make me the mandatory challenger for Groves’ titles and this news has really fired me up to put on a show at Meadowbank,” he said. “I am fighting to prove that I am worth a shot at Groves’ titles but what bothers me about my opponent on Saturday, Lee Duncan, is that some people have already assumed that the result is a mere formality, an easy win for me.

“I won’t be entering the ring with that attitude because I think there was an element of that with Groves when I put him down on the deck during our match last year. He thought I was just another opponent to be bowled over. But I won’t make the same mistake against Duncan, who’ll realise this is a great chance for him to make a name for himself by beating me. I expect him to be fired up and ready to give me all the trouble he can. Boxing is littered with the stories of guys who took their opponents too cheaply and lost out badly.’’

Anderson is delighted to be back fighting in the Capital on a bill which will also feature Arthur, Jason Hastie and John McCallum as well as British Masters welterweight champion Gary McMillan’s clash with Paisley’s Kevin McIntyre.

“In one of my last fights in Lancashire, it was great stopping Joe Rea inside the distance but the local crowd support element that is going to be a big factor at Meadowbank on Saturday was missing,” admitted Anderson.

“Every boxer on the bill from Edinburgh has a vested interest in making the whole night a success. I want Alex to succeed because it will mean more shows in Edinburgh for fans who have supported guys like Gary McMillan, Jason Hastie and John McCallum but had to travel outside the town if they wanted to see us fight.”