PETTITT AIMING TO RISE TO THE TOP

Top talent Lewis Pettitt says he’ll breakthrough this year as one of the top names in the talent-packed domestic super-bantamweight division.

The Erith fighter makes his debut for new promoter Frank Warren under Queensberry Promotions on Saturday 15th February at the Copper Box Arena which features stars Dereck Chisora, Tyson Fury, Frank Buglioni and Bradley Skeete, all live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Pettitt, 23, the current Southern Area Champion, has won 12 out of 13 fights with four stoppages since turning professional in May 2010.  He won the title on points in a small-hall thriller in his last fight against Jamie Speight in September.

His sole loss was to Ian Bailey in a challenge for the Southern Area title up at featherweight in September 2012 which Pettitt says was a premature stoppage and out of his natural weight division.

He’ll face the tough and experienced Spaniard Reynaldo Cajina over six rounds on the Copper Box Arena show who went twelve rounds in his last fight for the WBC International title.

Pettitt, who’s trained by top London trainer Alan Smith, says he’ll rise to the next level and next set of challenges now that he’s with a premier promoter and on his first big arena event.

“This is my big break and I’ll capitalise on it for definite,” Said Pettitt.

“I’m now with one of the world’s top promoters and I’m featuring on a big show at the Copper Box Arena alongside some of Britain’s biggest names so it’s up to me to produce the goods on the night and show that I’m a future champion,”

“I haven’t had it easy in my career up to now, but with Queensberry’s backing and with my fights televised on BoxNation it’s a massive leap in my career and it will bring my confidence and performances on no-end,”

“My style is one that the fans will like.  I’m a box-fighter, and I do like to have a tear up to please the crowd, although I’m a better boxer, but I’m prepared to stand and trade.”

With WBA World Champion Scott Quigg, European Champion Carl Frampton and British Champion Kid Galahad at the top of the scene, the next tier of domestic fighters are looking to make their mark this year with Pettitt aiming to lead the pack.

He added, “The 122 pound division is very hot at the moment with Quigg and Frampton at the top of their game and Galahad close behind them.  I’ve benefited from top quality sparring against Carl and Scott which has been fantastic for my career and to learn from and it will hold me in good stead for the future.  Frampton should get his world title shot soon and then Galahad will close in on the European title,”

“But underneath them there’s myself, Jazza Dickens and Gavin McDonald who are the next crop to come through.  They are all good fighters and obviously I believe in my ability and talent so I hope that I get to take one of them on this year for one of the domestic titles and breakthrough the pack,”

“First I’ve got to deal with Cajina who I’ve watched before on the undercard of Frampton’s last fight when he fought Ryan Burnett.  He’s tough, he can punch and has got plenty of experience, but I’m confident I can beat him.”

Tickets for the Copper Box Arena, priced at £40, £50, £70 and £120, are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or online at www.eventim.co.uk

Watch live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).  Join atwww.boxnation.com