SUFFOLK fighter Steve Spartacus has vowed to 'sort out' Norfolk rival Danny McIntosh in what promises to be a blood and thunder East Anglian derby match-up tomorrow.

Derek Davis

SUFFOLK fighter Steve Spartacus has vowed to 'sort out' Norfolk rival Danny McIntosh in what promises to be a blood and thunder East Anglian derby match-up tomorrow.

Although the duo have been sparring partners in the past there is no love lost between them and that has added extra needle to the light-heavyweight English title fight at Norwich's Norfolk Showground.

Spartacus, who lost his British title fight against Tony Oakey, is delighted to get the chance to win back the English Title he won five years ago and sees this boxing derby as the perfect way to kick start his career again.

He said: “I know McIntosh because we sparred with each other a few times a few years ago. I do rate him and he's got a lot of talent.

“He has also got a big head and a big mouth, but I'll be sorting that out on the night.

"There's a bit of needle and rivalry between us, but more on his part than mine.

“I've always been ahead of him and never really thought about him as competition until now.

"But he has had a couple of good wins recently and he has gone to the top of the pile after Joey Vegas knocked out the Southern Area champion JJ Ojuederie, because McIntosh beat Vegas on points.

"It's blinding news the fight will be for the English title and this could get my career right back up there again. There's going to be a lot of interest in the fight on the East Anglia boxing scene."

Spartacus knows as an Ipswich Town supporter he will come under fire from city fans and McIntosh is looking to exploit that.

He said: “When the Norwich fans hear he is from Ipswich as he climbs into ring, he will get a very hostile reception.

“There's a lot of rivalry between Norwich and Ipswich and football, and boxing is no different.

“Norwich and Ipswich don't get on and he's going to be getting it on the night. He will have all the Norwich fans giving him grief as well as me in the ring."

“Me and Steve have sparred together and he's a good lad, but he's my foe at the moment and I'm thinking about doing a number on him,"

The Norwich boxer has won all of his seven fights believes winning the English Title will launch his career and propel him towards the British and Commonwealth Titles.

The Ipswich v Norwich clash is chief support on the 'Let's Be Having You' Hennessy Sports promotion that sees Norwich lightweight Jon Thaxton box Spain's Juan Carlos Diaz Melero for the European Title as top of the bill. ITV4 will screen the action live from 8.45pm.