British bid for Bodysnatcher

10:46am Thursday 17th January 2008

CHRISTMAS has come a couple of weeks late for Dudley's Darren McDermott after his wish for a shot at the British middleweight title was finally granted.

The unbeaten middleweight has been biding his time patiently for a shot at the Lonsdale Belt but after months of waiting the British Boxing Board of Control named him the mandatory contender for the title currently held by Birmingham's Wayne Elcock.

Elcock claimed the title from veteran Howard Eastman last year but after a failed world title bid against Arthur Abraham in December the Brummie is now set to defend his British title in a West Midlands super-fight.

On hearing the news that he was set for a title shot McDermott said: "This is just the biggest buzz ever.

" I just can't explain how excited I am about having a shot at the British title.

"I thought Father Christmas had forgot all about me but obviously he hadn't, he was just a couple of weeks late.

"My ambition has always been to reach the top of the boxing tree the old-fashioned way by going for the British title first and I will now have the chance to fulfil that dream and become British Champion."

Dubbed the "Black Country Bodysnatcher" McDermott is still waiting to find out where and when his showdown with Elcock will take place but he is confident he will be more than a match for his West Midlands opponent.

Macca was already in training as he was getting ready for an international middleweight contest at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on February 28, but with that fight now being shelved he will have even longer to prepare for the biggest fight of his life under the guidance of manager Dean Powell and advisor Ronnie Brown.

McDermott said: "Wayne does not scare me, I know what he's all bout and I will be 100 per cent ready for him and there is no chance I will mess up this opportunity."

Powell is also confident that the Lonsdale Belt will be leaving Birmingham for the Black Country.

He said: "It is a great opportunity for Darren.

"He has done things the right way and come through without being on any major promotions.

"He has had his learning fights and now he has got his chance.

"I am sure he will be successful.

"I am not under-estimating Wayne Elcock in any way, but I believe Darren will win the fight. It will not be easy but I expect him to go on to bigger things."

EDITOR'S CHOICE