Miles Shinkwin promises repeat in Joel McIntyre title rematch

Miles Shinkwin [13(7)-1(1)] finally gets to fight for the BBBoC English title this weekend, and when he does step into the ring on Saturday night it will be a familiar foe facing him.

The London-Cork light heavyweight will fight for the vacant belt at the Liquid & Envy nightclub against Joel McIntyre, whom he outpointed (97:95) for the BBBoC Southern Area title in July 2014.

It’s a change of opponent for Shinkwin, who was due to face former champion, now striped, Tom Baker for the belt in October. Instead Shinkwin now travels to his opponent’s home town. None of this however phases the fan-friendly 28 year old.

Shinkwin explained to Irish-Boxing.com that “the delay and change of opponent isn’t ideal, but it’s not like I’ve only had a couple weeks notice. I’ve had a full 10 week camp against a man I’ve boxed before, so it hasn’t affected me in any way.”

“I’ve no issue at all in going to Portsmouth. I’ve given away 30-40 tickets to family and friends just because I didn’t want the hassle of selling tickets. I’ve not had to run around flogging tickets to make up my purse like he has. I’ve boxed all over the world as an amateur so going there isn’t a problem.”

“I’m looking forward to it actually.”

Indeed Shinkwin contends that the biggest factor going into the title tussle is their first result. While he doesn’t believe that the win two years ago will impact his own performance, he anticipates it will play a part for McIntyre, and Shinkwin predicted that “when he sits down after the first round and realises that he’s back in with me, a fight he ultimately can’t win, in his home town, with all his people there… I think that will be a huge factor in how the fight plays out.”

“Ultimately I see me winning, and wining well. Whether I can get him out if there or not depends on how brave his corner want to be and how much punishment he can take.”

“We’ll see his game plan in the first couple of rounds come fight night, adapt if need be, and implement something needed to beat that. I doubt he can change anything mid-fight as he’s a very one dimensional fighter, but you never know in boxing so always expect the unexpected.”

Shinkwin-McIntyre is one of two big domestic light heavyweight fights on Saturday night, with Hosea Burton also defending his Britsh title against former Celtic Warriors puncher Frank Buglioni. Shinkwin was stopped in the sixth round by Burton, although he gave the Manchester fighter plenty of trouble, back in February in what was the fight of the night on the Carl Frampton v Scott Quigg pay-per-view undercard.

The Watford boxer can’t pick a winner, but is targetting a fight with whoever does emerge victorious. He described how “it’s a real 50/50 fight. The bookies have Burton as a huge favourite but I’m struggling to split them. Whoever gets their game plan right on the night can take the belt.”

“I’ve been there, underperformed and lost, so of course that’s where I want to be. I’d jump at the chance to fight the winner.”