Ian Tims piles pressure on prospect Massey ahead of Fury undercard fight

Ian Tims [13(4)-5(3)] has piled the pressure on hot-shot prospect Jack Massey ahead of their clash next weekend in Manchester.

The Clondalkin cruiser will give the boxing game one last crack of the whip on the Tyson Fury Comeback undercard at the Manchester Arena where he faces Derbyshire’s Massey [13(6)-0].

Never having been one to keep his thoughts to himself, Tims has posed the question as to whether the fight on the big BT Sport-broadcast card may be too much for the rising 25-year-old.

“It could be that Massey is overawed by the occasion,” he mused. “I don’t know him so I can’t say. It’s a problem sometimes when young fighters come up and hit the big cards. They try and play to the crowd.”

“I’ve been on big cards before fighting for titles and world title fights headlining. Tyson Fury is the lineal world champion and it’s a great show to be on but I’ve been on big stages before.

“I take every fight with no pressure. I just enjoy the fighting. I turned professional late and have had a lot of injuries. All the pressure is on Jack Massey. People expect him to win.”

Tims fought three times last year – including a clash with Commonwealth champion Luke Watkins – and despite his advancing years, is showing no signs of losing enthusiasm for the daily physical grind.

38-year-old Tims is stepping into the ring following two losses in 2017, the first a devastating Irish title KO defeat to Luke Watkins followed by a surprise defeat to busy journeyman Gheorghe Danut.

The Dublin hardman though has retained his hunger ahead of the eight-rounder with his managerial stablemate.

Tims outlined how “I still train the same as I always have. I do everything – including the running. Everybody goes on about science playing a key role these days but I’m old school in my approach.

“People say they don’t do too much of this because of that or too much of this because of that but I just get on with it. I’m not into all that science stuff. It’s the fighting I enjoy.”

“I have a few people I want to fight before I hang up the gloves but let’s see where we are after the fight with Massey.”