Heavyweights get ready for the fight of the year

Heavyweights get ready for the fight of the year

10 September 2014

THE war of words between two political heavyweights ahead of their big boxing bout next month is hotting up.

The DUP’s Billy ‘Rocky’ Walker and the SDLP’s Terry ‘Razor’ Andrews go head-to-head on October 24 at Killyleagh’s Bridge Centre to see who will be crowned King of Rowallane.

Both men regard themselves as underdogs ahead of the eagerly-awaited contest, but both are privately admitting they want to be top dog.

The big fight, which will be supported by an undercard featuring a number of young amateur boxers, has seen both men knuckle down to some serious training.

The politicians are getting some boxing tips from East Down Boxing Club’s Marty Kayes — who will also referee their fight on the night — with both Walker and Andrews suggesting they have spotted weaknesses in each other’s styles as they get ready to rumble.

Councillor Walker is planning on finishing the job early, while his opponent, who has shed more than a few pounds and is deadly serious about winning, reckons 

he will emerge victorious.

Councillor Andrews has revealed his plan is not to go out with all guns blazing and is confident his fancy footwork will leave the DUP man in a spin, opening him up for a sucker punch.

The fight, which will raise funds for the PIPS suicide awareness organisation and Killyleagh’s Youth -In project, is gathering increasing interest and it’s expected that around 350 tickets will be sold.

“Terry may be pounding the roads around Delamont to get fit, but he’s going to get a pounding in the ring,” declared a confident Walker.

“The training sessions we have had to to date have proved that I’m certainly the fitter man and pack a stronger punch. He knows he has to keep his chin out of my way.

“Terry is my friend, but once the bell goes the friendship will go out the window. I’m happy with my technique and my gloves will do my talking for me. My message to fight fans is expect the fight to be over pretty early as I don’t expect to hang around. This is going to be easy.”

Walker rates himself as the best pound for pound fighter in Down Council’s debating chamber and is no stranger to the odd political scrap. Confident he will emerge the champion, the council chairman believes it will take an almighty punch to floor him.

“I can seen the fear in the eyes of my opponent. He knows I’m going to take him down and emerge the the victor. I will be the undisputed king of Rowallane,” he added.

Andrews says he’s more interested in action than words and plans to surprise a few when the bell goes.

The SDLP man said he would be worried if his opponent boxed as well as he talked, “but knows that isn’t the case.”

He continued: “Billy thinks he’s going to win and that’s good. I just hope it won’t take too long for him to get over the disappointment of losing. I have no doubt I can finish him off and that my training will pay off.

“Billy is putting on a brave face and that’s because he’s a little scared.

“I just hope when he wakes up the morning after the fight that we are still friends. None of us wants to lose this contest and we are both intent on winning.”

Councillor Andrews added: “I hope Billy gets his excuses in early as there is only going to be one winner. I’ve prepared and am ready so bring it on.”