MIDDLEWEIGHT operator Kieron Conway looks to seize the British title after falling agonisingly short in his first attempt nearly six years ago.
The Northampton man went two-to-toe against Ted Cheeseman down at 154lbs, producing a titanic effort before coming away from their all-action dustup with a draw.
This Saturday, though, Conway, 22-3-1 (6 KOs), has the opportunity to address his unfinished business at the Copper Box Arena, London, where he will take on Jerome Warburton for the vacant British crown.
Since his first stab at the Lonsdale Belt, ‘Too Class’ has mixed it with the likes of Souleymane Cissokho and Austin Williams – two solid contenders – while also claiming several notable scalps on the domestic scene.
His seasoning, therefore, represents a sizable advantage over Warburton, with Conway remaining supremely confident ahead of his assignment on the undercard of Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen 2.
“All my previous experience is going to be a factor in the pure fact that I’m going to be better on the night,” he told Boxing News.
“[Warburton’s] going to fight his heart out. He’s in a similar position to what I was in when I fought [Cheeseman] – he’s come out of the shadows – but I’m better in every single department.
“It’ll be really sweet to bring this [British title] back to Northampton.”
Should he come through Warburton, Conway is then likely to face George Liddard, whose British title eliminator takes place on the same card this weekend.
The pair – both promoted by Matchroom Boxing – have seemingly reached a tentative agreement to collide later this year.
But while he harbours no concerns ahead of a potential showdown with Liddard, 11-0 (6 KOs), Conway equally acknowledges that a more appealing option could emerge elsewhere.
“I don’t see it as a risk,” he insisted. “So if they [Matchroom] want to throw names at me, then I’ll take the fights.
“But I’m also next in line for the [EBU] European title, so I’m not necessarily locked in on fighting [Liddard].”
With Conway occupying a mandatory position with the EBU at 160lbs, he could soon be ordered to face second-ranked contender Etinosa Oliha for Denzel Bentley’s vacant strap.
But regardless of what comes next, the 29-year-old hopes to fight three times this year after experiencing a stop-start spell in his career.
Much of those frustrations, of course, were caused after Matchroom’s PrizeFighter event in Japan – a tournament he was the favourite to win – was scuppered last year.
But with Conway having also allowed British title opportunities to pass him by, he now has no interest in stalling his momentum for even a second longer.
“I want to stay active because I’ve been inactive for the last two years, through no fault of my own,” he said.
“From signing contracts for [fights in Japan] – and waiting – to letting other people fight for the British title, it’s been frustrating. So I hope to get two more fights after this one [against Warburton].”
