Boxing: Rocky's ready to fulfil his boyhood dream
ROCKY Dean believes he can cause a big upset next week and fulfil his boyhood dream of becoming a British champion.
The New Astley Club boxer is relishing his role as underdog when he challenges Jason Booth for his British super-bantamweight title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Tuesday, live on Sky TV.
One bookmaker has Booth as 1/12 favourite, while Dean is a 6/1 outsider.
"I can't see why we're those prices but I will prove them wrong on the 30th," said the 31 year old.
"Everyone is saying it's a 50:50 fight, so with me being 6/1, a few of my friends will be putting some money on.
"Get you're money on Rocky Dean!"
Nottingham-based boxer Booth has an impressive record of 32 wins and five losses from his professional career but Dean believes he has plotted a plan to beat the British champion.
Dean who splits his training between Newmarket and London, has been sparring with Ian Napa, the last man to beat Booth two years ago.
Mark O'Reilly, Dean's coach at the New Astley Club said: "This is a huge deal for someone in our town to be boxing for a British title."
Last time out, Dean lost a close majority decision to Matthew Marsh for the British super-bantamweight title in November, at the same historic London venue as Tuesday night's fight.
But Dean, who has a record of 14 wins, 10 losses and two draws, insists he has learned from the defeat.
He said: "After every fight, I've got a bit better and brought something different to the table. I left a bit in the tank last time but I won't be doing that this time. Without a doubt, I am naturally the bigger man. I will dictate the fight from the start and not leave him alone."
For the first time in his ten-year professional career, Dean took a break after his last fight.
He took three-and-a-half months out and believes he has come back a fresher and hungrier for his next tilt at the British title.
The former southern area featherweight champion said: "It's not about money for me, winning the British title would do it for me. It's been a boyhood dream to win a British title and if I could do it, it would mean everything to me."
Booth, also 31, won his first British title almost ten years ago, when he was crowned flyweight champion.
Since then he has held the Commonwelath flyweight, IBO super-flyweight titles and still holds the Commonwealth bantamweight crown.
Booth stepped in as a last minute substitute to challenge Mark Moran for the British 8st 10lb title, after Marsh pulled out citing difficulties making the weight and gave arguably the best performance of his career with a sixth round stoppage.
A healthy contingent of supporters are expected to be behind Dean on Tuesday, with 200 alone travelling from his home town and more expected from the capital.
* The Rocky Dean v Jason Booth fight will be shown live on Sky Sports 2 on Tuesday from 9.30pm.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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