Anderson faces fight for his future

ANYONE who witnessed the 12 one-sided rounds at the Magnum Centre in Irvine last November, which culminated in Kevin McIntyre becoming the new British welterweight champion, would be hard pressed to envisage a different outcome to his rematch with Kevin Anderson at the Kelvin Hall tonight.

In one of the biggest ring upsets of 2007, Methil's Anderson was floored in the first and second rounds by Paisley southpaw McIntyre who produced a career-best performance to secure a wide and unanimous points victory.

It made a mockery of the prohibitive odds, as short as 1-12, which declared Anderson a firm favourite. It is why McIntyre will step through the ropes at Scottish boxing's most famous arena as the 8-15 favourite on this occasion with Anderson available at 6-4.

For the Fifer, who also lost his Commonwealth title to Ali Nuumbembe last year, it is a fight he simply must win if he is to revive his career. Although still only 24, Anderson knows he will have no future at major championship level if he cannot set the record straight against McIntyre.

"There is extra pressure on me," admitted Anderson at yesterday's weigh-in which saw both men appear in tremendous condition as they tipped the scales at a matching 10st 6lbs 12oz.

"I'm not one for making excuses, he fought well and won the title last time, but I know I made him look good. I just never performed, I had no head movement and I didn't throw enough punches. I just wasn't there.

"It has to be different this time and it will be. I've been sharper in sparring and my preparation has been spot-on. I've always said I could up my game when everything is right and that's what is going to happen.

"I've never taken a fight as seriously as this one, I know how important it is. I've never been so focused. My body is in great shape and he better be ready, because I'm going to take his body to hell and back. We will find out who wants it more on Friday night."

McIntyre, who had been slipping into journeyman status before his outstanding display to secure the Lonsdale Belt four months ago, says he is fully prepared for a much improved Anderson, but is convinced he simply has his compatriot's number inside the ring. "It's got to play on his mind that I beat him so convincingly the last time and put him down twice," said the 29-year-old. "I've been beaten that way a couple of times myself earlier in my career and I know it has an effect when you go into your next fight.

"I expect Kevin to be better this time, but I have trained for a hard fight and my approach will be exactly the same as it was last time. Winning the title has definitely changed me. Since I turned professional, all I ever wanted was to become British champion. To achieve that lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and I feel I'll be a better and stronger fighter as a champion. I have set myself new goals now and my next ambition is to be the European champion."

If Anderson can regain his optimum form, then he could reclaim the prized Lonsdale Belt. Anything less, and an intriguing rematch may well turn into a carbon copy of what went before.