JAY HARRIS TO FOLLOW IN DAD'S FOOTSTEPS AND BECOME BRITISH CHAMPION
Jay Harris has nothing but praise for Tommy Frank ahead of their highly-anticipated clash on Friday May 5th but says winning the Lonsdale Belt would have extra special meaning for him after his father, Peter, did the same over 30 years ago.
Sheffield's Frank defends his British Flyweight Title against Harris at Rotherham's Magna Centre, with all the action shown LIVE AND FREE ON FIGHTZONE.
'Super' Tommy won the coveted belt in 2019 against Brummie battler Matt Windle but has only managed to defend his title once since; a contentious split-decision draw against underrated 'journeyman' Craig Derbyshire in April last year. In between those two contests, the amiable 29-year-old has also negotiated a points win over Tanzania's Charles Tondo, ensuring a respectable 15-2-1 (3) ledger as he heads into the biggest test of his career.
A former world title challenger - a gutsy 2020 WBC points loss to Mexico's Julio Cesar Martinez in America - Harris, on paper, is the betting favourite to become the new domestic champion. Having previously held titles at both European and Commonwealth levels, and having been in with better opposition, boxing fans could be forgiven for thinking the Welshman will simply cruise to victory ahead of his Yorkshire date of destiny. At 32 though, with two KO defeats in his last four fights, and with Frank promising to rise to his level and the occasion - the Swansea man is taking nothing for granted and says winning this fight is pivotal to his future.
"Absolutely not," stated Harris when asked if he was the favourite against Frank. "Tommy's a good fighter, very correct, and he's got a nice right hand. I watched him against Derbyshire and his two [losing] fights against [Mexican, Hugo] Guarneros - he's good, but I just think I'm better, and I have to prove my level.
"I have been in with better opposition, but Tommy's a good fighter himself, and I'll give it everything because this (the British Title) is the missing piece for me in my career.
"It's absolutely a must-win fight for me. The British Title means a lot to me, I haven't fought for it before and it would be so special because years ago my dad won it as well [Peter Harris beat Kevin Taylor to win the British Featherweight Title in 1988] - so it would be nice to do the same as him.
"I don't know if I have anywhere else to go (if I lose this one), but me and my team just take every fight as it comes. I'm 32 now, though, so this has to happen, I have to win.
"This fight with Tommy has been postponed a couple of times, so I'm just really pleased that it's finally happening. For me, this is the way boxing should be, two top rated British fighters facing each other - not people dodging each other but the best fighting the best. And I'm not bothered fighting away from home, I like an away day to be fair!
"I also think Fightzone is a great platform, and now it's free as well," explained Jay, who will be appearing on the specialist boxing platform for the first time. "It's ridiculously good, really, really good, and it's put so many more boxers in the public eye."
Also appearing on the card will be Sheffield's Keanen Wainwright; Nicolie Campbell; Kent's Ronnie Mulock, and Tom Summerbell, Jimmy Tyers and Jordan Barker from the Northeast. While the night will be a memorable one for another Sheffield fighter, Brendan Needham, who will make his pro debut.
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