Neil Sinclair has been handed once last chance to revive his championship
credentials when he boxes for the European Union title on June 7 in Lazio,
Italy.
The former British champion will take on Italian Daniele Petrucci who won
the title with a third round stoppage of England's Craig Watson in March.
Belfast man Sinclair has seen his career nosedive over the past two years
with inactivity defeats to men such as Francis Jones who he would have
dismissed with ease in his British title hey-day.
But the 34-year has won his last two contests and while travelling to Italy
leaves him at a significant disadvantage, coach John Breen believes he can
pull it off.
It is quite simply a win or bust fight for Sinclair as defeat to the
21-fight unbeaten Italian would leave him heading for retirement.
But Breen said: "Neil is at the stage of his career where he has to
take a gamble like this and everyone knows that it is very tough to win in
Italy.
"Neil has had his problems over the past couple of years but now he has
a chance to turn his career around.
"This is his last big chance and he still has the power to hurt anyone
in Europe.
"Petrucci's a good boxer but I don't think he hits that hard. Neil has
to get himself focused and in great shape and he can go and bring the title
back.
"This is his big chance. He's 34 and opportunities like this will not
come along too often. A win against Petrucci and then he can be taken
seriously as a contender for the British or the major European welterweight
title."
Meanwhile, Sinclair will be the guest speaker at the inaugural meeting of an
Irish boxing supporters club on May 29 at the Dockers Club.
The club has been set up by Cormac Campbell, Bobby Lavery and Mark Doyle.
Entry is £5, which includes a raffle for a signed Andy Lee glove.
For more information contact Cormac at 07846413565 or email
cormaccampbell@gmail.com
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