Joel McIntyre prepares for homecoming
Joel McIntyre promised he will put on a forceful showing as he prepares for his homecoming.
And El Toro is after a meaningful clash in Southsea next month as a launchpad to get among the title mix in 2015.
McIntyre is gearing up for his outing at the Pyramids on December 5 with a stint training in Spain with Billy-Joe Saunders.
That will prove testing preparation work for the Leigh Park light-heavyweight, as Saunders prepares to meet Chris Eubank Jr on November 29.
McIntyre will be looking to return to winning ways after the first defeat of his career, a frustrating Southern Area title loss to Miles Shinkwin in London.
The 26-year-old went down to a 97-95 points loss in July, as he came up just short in a nip-and-tuck affair.
One of the criticisms levelled at the light-heavyweight was he wasn’t aggressive enough at crucial stages in enemy territory. The 11-1 man is looking to put that right and send his following home satisfied next month.
McIntyre said: ‘It’s my comeback fight and I want an exciting opponent for that. ‘I want someone I can go out and make a statement against. I’m looking to be more aggressive.
‘There will be a lot of my fans there and I want to put on a show.
‘I’ve been in Marbella with Billy Joe Saunders and I was up at the TKO Gym in London before that. It’s kept me on my toes.
‘The motivation is getting back in there and working towards a big fight. I can’t wait. ‘I want to get out there before Christmas and show what I can do.
‘I’m looking to put on a performance and entertain people.’
McIntyre expressed his desire to have a return with Shinkwin in the immediate aftermath of their last meeting.
There has been little headway made on that front, however, with the Hertfordshire man looking to move in a different direction.
McIntyre explained he is still happy to meet his old foe again – or fight for the vacant Southern Area title.
He said: ‘Miles doesn’t want a rematch and doesn’t want to fight me again.
‘I’d fight him if he wants to defend it, or look to fight someone else if he goes elsewhere.’
McIntyre has been given some of the best-possible preparation for his next contest in the shape of sparring with Saunders.
Saunders has a perfect 20-fight record and has collected the Commonwealth, British and European title in the middleweight division.
He will put that on the line against Eubank Jr in London at the end of the month. That has been built into a needle clash with the tension mounting between the pair.
Eubank Jr didn’t show at a pre-fight press conference, as Saunders flew back from the Marbella camp last week.
McIntyre knows how sharp his stablemate is and believes he will prove too good for his much-hyped rival.
He said ‘I’m with Billy Joe and you can’t get better sparring for that. Everyone knows how good he is. It’s been great.
‘I’ve no doubt he’ll be too quick and clever for Eubank on the 29th and will come out on top.’