Tims: If Reynolds wants to be called Irish champion he has to beat me for the strap

IAN Tims claims Stephen Reynold’s deserves a shot at the Irish Cruiserweight title, but stresses the Sligo veteran couldn’t call himself champion unless he fought the Dubliner for the belt.

‘The Tank’ was the last custodian of the Cruiserweight strap, winning the belt after outpointing Michael Sweeney in an Ill tempered affair on the undercard of Willie Casey’s world title fight with Guillermo Ringondeaux in City West.

However, the Celtic Gym tough man revealed he has been stripped of the belt after letting his licence run out.

Reynold’s, 40, is now gunning for the title, the former Irish amatuer champion telling Irish-boxing.com that his next bout will be his last and it HAS to be for an Irish strap.  The Irish Fight of the Year winner has targeted a clash with either Tims or Conal Carmichael, but the straight talking Dub claims the Sligo fighter couldn’t really be deemed champ until he beats him.

“Reynolds deserves a shot at the title. He is a proven fighter and you don’t win so much as an amatuer without being a good boxer, but if he challenges for the title it has to be against me. No two ways about it,” said Tims.

“I never lost the belt. I was stripped of the title. The reason I was given was that my licence was out of date, but no one ever beat me for the title so basically I am the champion. Ok I have had injuries for a couple of years, but no one ever challenged me. Reynolds wants the fight now and it should be against me. We are both amatuer champions so its a clash of the titans and everyone knows it would be a great fight,” he added before stressing a reynolds Tims clash has Fight of the Year potential.

“I fought his brother twice and despite beating him twice I only got the decision once and the time I didn’t I beat him up more comprehensively. Me and Reynolds is made for an all out war and its a fight the fans would love. I would fight him for the title on any card, but to be called Irish champion he has to beat me, which he won’t.”

Tims didn’t dismiss Carmichael’s title credentials, but remains he has to be disposed of the belt and Irish Champion status before a new champ can be confirmed.

“I know Carmichael since we were young and he beat me 13 years ago. He is a big man, which means there is more of him for me to hit, and is also worth a shot of the title, but he can fight me when I beat Reynolds.”