Teammates Andrew Cain, Nick Ball and Brad Strand set for BT Sport debut
After a perfect start to his pro career, Andrew Cain (5-0, 5KOs) gets the opportunity to showcase his skills to his biggest audience yet, live on BT Sport, on the undercard of Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lyndon Arthur’s (16-0, 12KOs) title defence to challenger Dec Spelman (16-3, 8KOs) on July 31 at the BT Sport Studios in Stratford.
Unbeaten in 20 bouts between them, Cain is joined by his Everton Red Triangle gym mates Nick Ball (12-0, 6KOs) and Brad Strand (3-0, 1KO), all trained by respected coach Paul Stevenson.
All three signed contracts with promoter Frank Warren in February this year and will now get the chance to display their talent on the third show of Queensberry Boxing’s summer series.
Cain clashes with Blackpool’s Ed Harrison (1-3) over six rounds at super-featherweight, although the 23-year-old from Liverpool usually operates at 126lbs.
Andrew explained why, “The fight’s been made at super-feather because he was a little heavy, so I’ve had to have a little scran, but I don’t care, I’d fight at middleweight if I have to!”
Starting boxing at the age of 11, Cain became a five-time national champion during his amateur career. He has a very unique style that makes him evasive and awkward to opponents, and counts Mike Tyson as is his main inspiration.
Whilst it’s a TV debut for his colleagues, Cain has already fought in front of the cameras on his pro debut way back in April 2015 on the undercard of Derry Mathews interim WBA World lightweight title win over Tony Luis at the Echo Arena, live on Box Nation TV.
He was very blasé about the big occasion awaiting him on the last day of July, “Yeah, well it’s where I belong, so it’s just a fight, no matter whether it’s in a back garden or in front of the cameras; just have to get on with it. It’s just another day isn’t it? And we’re here to do our day job.”
Cain is part of talented group of seven undefeated prospects at the century-old Everton Red Triangle gym in Liverpool, which is also home to Peter McGrail, who’s one of very few amateurs to qualify for the next Olympics already.
Lockdown left Cain in limbo and was only able to shadow boxing, roadwork or circuits in his garden. Feeling relieved to be back in the gym, he looked back, “There was only so much I could do during lockdown without getting too fed up with it. After a few months, you’re always going to be pleased to be back in the gym again.
“It’s great that I’ve got Brad and Nick, and we’re all fighting together because we can all spar each other and bring each other on. I’m definitely lucky to have that.”
Boxing resumed on July 10 with the last man out in February, Brad Foster, picking up where he left to be the first man back when he retained his Lonsdale belt for keeps against James Beech Jr.
Frank Warren then hosted another show two weeks later as Joe Joyce smashed through German boxer Michael Wallisch in three rounds just last weekend.
Cain will appear on the third show in the sequence, but admitted to not watching the other two events. “On the first one, I watched the highlights just to see what the layout or the venue looks like.
“I don’t pay much attention to boxing around me, only thing I like to watch is old school fighters like Roberto Duran, so I just watched it so I could see what it’s like to visualise it, but I thought it looks good looks, really professional, so I’m happy with that.”
Back on the box again but in front of a far bigger audience on BT Sport than he would have been when making his pro bow on Box Nation, Cain believes the unique opportunity will give his profile a welcome boost.
“Fighting on BT Sport, I think it might make people take notice of me,” he hoped. “But, if it doesn’t happen this Friday, then it’ll happen in the future. But, I’ve got a good feeling that they are going to like me and what I bring to the ring. I’ll show them what they’ve been missing all this time.”
Fight number six will be the first time performing in a professional ring outside of his city of Liverpool, but he assures it’s not going to faze him, “In the pros, I boxed up and down the country in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, so it’s not new for me to be fighting away from home. I’ve been all over, sometimes fighting in front of only 20 people in sports halls.
“It feels a bit different though, if I’m honest,” he accepted. “Going into the unknown brings a bit of added pressure but you just take it in your stride.
“Now I’ve just got to get in there and smash him up and get it done!”
The action starts live on BT Sport 1 at 7:15pm. Find out how to watch the action HERE
Arthur vs Spelman headlines the five-fight card, which will also see Belfast boxer Caoimhin Agyarko (6-0, 3KO’s) face off with Jez Smith (11-1-1, 5KOs) in a 10-round middleweight showdown.
His second appearance under the Queensberry Promotions banner, Nick Ball (12-0, 6KOs) clashes with Jerome Campbell (6-0, 1KO), as both boxers put their unbeaten records on the line over eight-rounds at super-featherweight Read more…
ABA Elites 2018 championBrad Strand (3-0, 1KO) will meet Brett ‘The Threat’ Fidoe (13-65-2, 6KOs) over six-rounds. Read more…
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