Summers Back At It
Ricky Summers has a point to prove as he prepares himself for another crack at landing major domestic prizes.
Summers laces on the gloves again, for keep-busy action, when BCB Promotions are back at the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, on the Friday evening of July 22.
He was last seen challenging for the English light heavyweight title, in April of last year, where he went the distance with Dan Azeez and pushed him to a split decision.
Azeez had smashed through Andre Sterling, who holds a point victory over Summers, in his previous outing and has since scored TKOs over Hosea Burton and Reece Cartwright.
Halting Burton in seven, last November, saw Azeez pick up the British crown and relinquish his English honours, which is being contested between Chad Sugden and Joel McIntyre.
Summers reckons he will soon be ready to re-enter the race and performed admirably against Azeez, with Errol Johnson in his corner, as coach, for the first time.
Johnson’s BCB banner has provided the opportunity of a run-out for ‘Digger,’ who hasn’t boxed since his last title challenge, which resulted in his third pro defeat.
An abject display when tackling Sterling, who had to climb off the floor in the second round, and conceding his ‘0’ to Frank Buglioni represent his other setbacks.
Tipton’s Summers, who is now 34, is refreshed after taking a break from boxing, with a clear head to call upon as he continues his 10-year pro career, which stands at 17-3-1.
He said: “I’ve had 16 months out of the ring but, in the meantime, I’ve got married and sorted out a few personal things. To be honest, I think the break has done me good.
“I’m 34 now but, when I’m training, I still feel like I’m 24. I’ve got a lot left to give. This fight is about getting the ring rust off and, in the next few months, you will see the best of me.
“If I’d have lost badly against Dan (Azeez), I’d have hung the gloves up, but I still believe that I won. I wouldn’t say that I was robbed, because it was close, but I thought I’d done enough.
“He’s gone on to bigger things and, although I get on with him, I’d like nothing better than to set the record straight, in a rematch, but it’s not looking likely, at the minute.
“My name never seems to get mentioned, with the top lads, but I know that I’m up there. I’ve never been given anything, I’ve always had to earn my opportunities.
“I got beat on a split decision, for the English title, and Dan (Azeez) gave the belt up, without defending it. Really, after that result, I should have been the next in line.
“Only three people have beaten me and Dan (Azeez) is the best that I’ve been in with, but that brought out my best performance, to date.
“(Frank) Buglioni was the better man on the night, but that was a long time ago. I wasn’t myself against (Andre) Sterling and he couldn’t cope with Dan (Azeez) as well as I did.
“My dream has always been to become a British champion and that hasn’t changed. The next one is must-win, just like every time that I go out there.”
Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, from the BCB Box Office by calling 07493 582 261 or visiting myfighttickets.com.
