Punching Postman McIntyre is back...and he plans on deliveri

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Punching Postman McIntyre is back...and he plans on delivering the goods

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Kevin McIntyre is on a mission to get his career back on track after eleven months of inactivity. The ex-British welterweight king will compete in Prizefighter welterweights II, which is being held at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday 7th June. I recently caught up with the current Celtic champion.

BN: Hi Kevin. Is it true that you are a full-time postman? Is it difficult having a full-time job as well as trying to be a professional boxer?

KM: Yeah it’s pretty tough, but my work’s union bosses have been great with me over the years. They have always given me time off during the build up to fights so that I can prepare properly.

BN: Where have you been hiding for the last year or so? We haven't seen you since last June when you beat Stephen Haughian (for the Celtic title). No wonder you have become the forgotten man of the domestic 147 lbs division!

KM: I have been in the gym on and off and I have been frustrated with my inactivity since beating Stephen Haughian. I thought the victory would push me towards a major domestic title shot, but not having a promoter hasn’t really helped me!

BN: This Prizefighter line-up looks really competitive. Whoever wins or impresses in it is likely to get a shot at one of the domestic belts. You already have the Celtic belt, but how do you think you'd fare against Lee Purdy (British champion) or Denton Vassell (Commonwealth champion)?

KM: Purdy is an aggressive lad who is also very fit and strong, but without sounding disrespectful, I don’t think he’s technically the best. Vassell has a busy, come-forward style and I think he would be taylor-made for me. I would love a shot at either of them, as I’m confident that I would beat them both.

BN: Who do you fear most in the Prizefighter draw?

KM: I don’t fear any of them but I respect them all. There are eight good fighters competing who will all think they can win it. I’d like to meet ex-WBC light welterweight champion Junior Witter, because he’s the big draw. It’s going to be tough against any of the fighters, because of the three-round format.

BN: Do you think that your southpaw style will suit Prizefighter?

KM: Without a shadow of a doubt! People have avoided me in the past because I am classed as an ‘awkward southpaw’.

BN: I believe you have had some injuries over the last few years? Didn't one of these injuries affect your performance against Kell Brook?

KM: I was well over the weight limit the day before the weigh-in for the Brook fight. I had 24 hours to lose the weight and just spent it drying out. I thought I could get away with it but Brook blew me away. I’m not making any excuses, but I had some personal problems building up to the fight. I should have pulled out, but I was scared of being stripped (of the British title). I tore a bicep muscle in round two of my fight with Mark Thompson (in January 2010). The fight was a real struggle after the injury but I battled on Thompson deservedly came out on top after 12 hard rounds. I would love to fight him again.

BN: How has training been going? How will you prepare for Prizefighter?

KM: Training has been going well, but this is where the real graft starts. I’ve lined up plenty of quality sparring because I’m going to need to be really sharp for Prizefighter. You have to hit the ground running in this tournament and you can’t just ease your way into it, because if you do, you’ll be on the motorway home, with only a wee cheque in your wallet!

BN: What are your goals for the remainder of your boxing career?

KM: I want to own the Lonsdale belt outright. Winning Prizefighter will help me achieve this aim.

BN: Who is the toughest opponent you have faced, either in sparring or in a fight?

KM: Mark Thompson was a really tough, hard opponent. I think David Barnes was a tough opponent too, he was at his best when he fought at welterweight. He caught me with some really solid shots. Kell Brook was also a top notch fighter.

BN: What gym do you train at? Are there any hot prospects there that we need to be told about?

KM: I train at the Satire Boxing Club in Paisley, and I am coached by Colin Belshaw or F.T. (Fat Trainer) as he likes to be called. He loves his nickname! The gym is buzzing at the moment. We have unbeaten light middleweights Kris Carslaw and Stevie Weir who are both due to fight on Friday 3rd June (at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow). Carslaw will be looking to fight the winner of tonight's clash between Sam Webb and Prince Arron for the British light middleweight title. We also have Aston Brown, which is the team GB squad. Aston has bags of talent and if he keeps working hard and stays focussed, he’ll definitely become a star. We also have Prizefighter lightweight champion Ryan Brawley at our gym.

BN: Are you going to give us a prediction for Prizefighter?

KM: A £32,000 cheque with Kevin McIntyre’s name wrote on it!