‘Porky’ shapes up for title

By Ben Hope
‘PORKY-mania’ comes to Cranbourne racecourse this Saturday as local hero Daniel ‘Porky’ Lovett takes on Shane McConville in a 10-round light heavyweight title fight.
The outdoor venue, with a capacity for 10,000 fans, will be the first time the racecourse has been used for a boxing match, with a ring set up in front of the grandstand.
Lovett’s trainer Jim Slatter said the Cranbourne-based boxer was looking fit and had come good at the right time to make it a great fight.
“The last fight Porky had was in October where he won on points against Kashif Mumtaz,” he said.
“We are hoping to go one better and knock this bloke over this time.”
The win over Mumtaz took 26-year-old Lovett’s record to 18 wins and four losses from 22 bouts.
The fight also marked the return to competition for Lovett after a 12-month break following an operation to remove chipped bone from his back.
Two weeks ago he also suffered an eye injury in training that left him unable to spar for a week.
Despite the setbacks Slatter said Lovett should still be in for a win against McConville, who has won three and drawn four of his past seven professional bouts.
“I’ve seen Shane fight and he is a very talented boy, but Porky has trained hard and is really fit, so it should be a great fight,” he said.
“McConville is about an inch and a half taller, so it will be a tough one, but I am sure Porky can do it if he puts our plan into action.
“Porky’s got a big following in Cranbourne, so we’re expecting a good crowd. It’s going to be a great night.”
Promoter Barry Michael is expecting thousands to turn up on Saturday afternoon to watch up to nine fights, including the headline light heavyweight title fight.
“It’s going to be huge, we have the grandstand, standing room and about 80 fully catered tables around the ring,” he said.
“Porky is incredibly popular and there has never been a fight like this at a racecourse. We will also have bookmakers set up to allow patrons to bet on the fights before they start.”
In the event of rain the event will be moved into the betting ring.
“We have a contingency plan that we are hoping we won’t have to execute,” Michael said.
“The Cranbourne Racecourse guys have been excellent, it’s a first for them and I don’t think it will be the last time we do it.”
Also on the program Colin Wilson will fight Justin Whitehead for the Australian Heavyweight Title and undefeated super bantamweight Daniel Iannazzo will meet Rommy Wasar for a six-round bout.
Gates open at 4pm with the first fight to start at 5pm. All the action will also be called live on 3SER 97.7fm or via www.caseyradio.com.au website.
For further information and tickets contact Barry Michael sports on 0413 654 999.