Joe Rea: I am in Prizefighter and I am in it to win
By Jonny Stapleton
JOE Rea claims he is the first name to be confirmed in the all Irish middleweight Prizefighter and is adamant he will be the last man standing if the tournament goes ahead on May 5.
The majority of domestic middleweights are clamouring to ensure their personal Prizefighter inclusion, but the John Breen trained fighter said Eddie Hearn has already ratified his participation revolutionary contest.
Participation isn’t enough for Rea however, the 28 year old believes he can win the tournament to raise carerr changing trophy and his bank balance by £32,000.
“Eddie confirmed I am in Prizefighter on Irish Boxing Radio (listen here) and on the phone to my manager. That is great news and he is a man off his word. Of course I think I can win it. If I didn’t have that belief I wouldn’t have entered. In my opinion Eammon O’Kane are best names mentioned so far and I an hope we meet in the final,” Rea who lost on points to the Dungiven fighter last September.
Rea’s confidence might surprise some considering he has lost six on the bounce, but ‘Sugar’ claims he has only lost to quality.
“Study my record and tell me who have lost against? Martin Murray, Gregoz Proska,and Domink Bristch are all world class fighters. I went in at the deep end every time. I think I deserve a break and I want to thank Eddie Hearn for giving me one.”
Rea is determine to make a big impact on his big break, but if he doesn’t win the contest he will settle for the chance to settle his differences in the ring with Anthony Fitzgerald.
There is more bad blood between than in a gone off meat factory and the pair have been exchanging verbal blows for some time now.
Rea didn’t bit his tongue or hold his verbal punches when speaking to
www.irish-boxing.com and is keen to draw the Dubliner in the first round.
“Fitzgearld is all mouth. Who has he fought or beat? Robbie Long beat him an he was knocked out in his third fight. I don’t rate him whatsoever. He is full of shit an has no balls. I want him in first round because I fancy the job big time. Anthony Fitzgerald is tailor made for me.”
