Appleby: Ormond won’t be able to HACK it

STEPHEN Ormond needs a win in next weekend to kick start his career, but the Irish super featherweight isn’t the only one with something on the line in Scotland, as opponent Paul Appleby needs victory to keep his alive.

Perennial prospect, Ormond, who has long since been touted as the man to fill the void left by fellow Clondalkin native Bernard Dunne- not least by the former world champion himself-  finally has the chance to show case his talents on a world title card and impress his way into title contention.

However, in Scot Appleby the former St Matthews amateur faces a fighter fighting for his fighting life. The former British champion and British young fighter of the Year for 2008 has enjoyed an indifferent time of late. He faces a cross roads. Victory would push him right back into the title reckoning and defeat directing him toward opponent status.

As a result the fighter Martin Lindsay dethroned as British Champion is determined to win and thinks Ormond won’t be able to ‘hack’ what he brings to the table.

“I am determined to show people that I am not just an opponent and that I am still up there. I need to win this fight. 2012 will be my year and I am going to start it with a win against Ormond. I do think I should have achieved a lot more than I have at this stage in my career. When I beat this guy Ormond I will be looking for a fight with Walsh,” Appleby confidently proclaimed.

Despite taking time to glance past the Celtic Gym fighter and look into the future the Scot does admit he expects a tough fight come Saturday.

However he believes he can jab his way to victory.

“Stephen Ormond is a good fighter. A proper fighter that what he basically is. He will come forward and try and get in my face. I will stand with him and fight if he wants. I don’t think he will be able to hack it. I think it will be a brilliant fight. I do get drawn into a fights too much. Sometimes I neglect my jab and don’t throw it enough. The jab is going to be very important for this fight. Ormond is short so I will have to use it more in this fight.”