I won't let fans down
IPSWICH boxer Steve Spartacus returns to the ring this week as the build-up to his British title challenge begins in earnest.Spartacus, 28, will top the bill in a non-title, eight-round contest against Sergey Karenevich from Belarus at a Christmas dinner show at the Prince Regent Hotel in Chigwell on Sunday.
By Mel Henderson
IPSWICH boxer Steve Spartacus returns to the ring this week as the build-up to his British title challenge begins in earnest.
Spartacus, 28, will top the bill in a non-title, eight-round contest against Sergey Karenevich from Belarus at a Christmas dinner show at the Prince Regent Hotel in Chigwell on Sunday.
It will be his first fight in eight months, since he defeated Sammy Price inside the distance at Brentwood, and he admitted: “It will be great to return to action. I've been in training for ages and I really can't wait.”
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Karenevich, 23, is based in Moscow and has won 26 of his 38 fights, including 13 KOs. He has lost his last two and will be making only his second appearance in this country.
It will be a vital step along the way for Spartacus as he prepares to meet old foe Peter Haymer for the British light-heavyweight crown, live on Sky Sports around the end of March or beginning of April.
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But his long lay-off at least means he is over the elbow problem that plagued him even before he went in against Price and which required surgery afterwards.
He said: “It has been a bit of a blessing as the elbow has had more time to heal. It still gives me a few problems at present, but I'm ready to go.
“If all goes well, and neither of us suffers any setbacks, my next one after this will be against Haymer and that will be my biggest fight so far.”
Spartacus has done all his training for Sunday's fight at the Fitness First gym in Ipswich and he added: “They have given me great support.
“I think I needed a bit of a change and I hope it pays off. The only time I've been away from Ipswich is when I've wanted a bit of tough sparring.”
As a member of the new Team Ipswich Elite Squad, he also intends using the Ipswich Borough Council facilities to aid his preparations over the festive period.
Spartacus also intends devoting a large chunk of his time to helping stage a boxing show in Ipswich early in the New Year.
His sponsors, Flare Recruitment, have pledged to support the event and he added: “It's an exciting project and it will become my main focus after Sunday's fight.
“I am so grateful for all the backing I receive. I should have a decent number of supporters down at Chigwell on Sunday and I'm determined not to let them down.”
