CARL GREAVES: “MAUGHAN WANTS THE IRISH TITLE MORE THAN ANYTHING”

Greaves, who is also one of Britain’s hardest working managers and promoters, has taken over Maughan’s preparations for the fight at the Deco in Northampton next Saturday (April 23) and believes his man has the tools to upset the odds.

“Pauly will start as the favourite and that’s fine by us,” he said. “Being the underdog suits Terry because it gets him fired up and I’ve never seen more determined to win.

“This is like a world title fight to Terry. He’s got thick Irish blood in him and he wants to become the country’s champion more than anything else. He’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose.

“He boxed for the title before against a really top fighter in Dee Walsh. Pauly is a good fighter but I don’t think he’s in Walsh’s league.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a talented fighter and it’s a tough task for Terry. I just think Terry can pull it off providing he does the things we’ve been working on.”

With just one stoppage between them, this appears to be a fight that is likely to go the full ten round distance. However, Greaves believes a knockout could be on the cards.

He said: “I know Pauly because I’ve been down to Ricky Hatton’s gym for sparring and he hits a lot harder than his record suggest. So does Terry. I was surprised by his power when I first took him on the pads and I think this a fight could end late.

“They’ve both been fighting the journeyman types who are hard to look good against and hard to stop because they don’t open up. This fight is different so I think some sparks might fly.”

Upton v Maughan tops Hatton Promotions’ seven fight St George’s Day card. Also in action are Market Harborough’s unbeaten Reuben Arrowsmith, Northampton’s popular Jamie Spence, former amateur standout Zach Parker, Rowley Regis’s Jason Welborn and local debutant Drew Brown.

Tickets are priced at £30, £35 and £40 and can be purchased from any fighter on the bill or by calling 07718 324102.