by Paul Webb
NICO OGBEIDE wants to see his name up on the big screen, but first he has to handle business on Saturday night at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on the undercard of BCB Promotions ‘For King and Country’.
The 30-year-old lightweight from the second city has been strongly linked with a slot on a televised card, and after recently going full-time due to landing a sponsor, ‘The Alchemist’ has plenty of extra motivation to get his career moving.
“This fight is about staying busy, said Ogbeide. “I am treating it as just another chance to gain experience and be back in the ring. I want to get on a major show next. I have been offered a big fight recently, but it didn’t quite come off, not down to my side, but after I get this win, hopefully they can get it rescheduled and I can box on TV. I want to be able to showcase everything I have been working on, and when it happens, I will make the most of the chance.”
Preparation for fight number four has seen Ogbeide spar with former European featherweight champion Jordan Gill as well as former British champion Raza Hamza.
“My sponsors friends know Jordan, so that’s how it came about, and when you spar someone who is at world level like he is, you learn a lot,” he said.
“He is a stage above me, but it was a great experience and I have taken a lot from that session.”
Ogbeide is unbeaten in three contests after joining the paid ranks last October. This will be his third time boxing at the Eastside Rooms, most recently a shutout win against Simas Volosinas in April.
“I feel at my age and being full-time, I am in a bit of a rush to get things moving and a good win Saturday night will help push my plans for what will come next.”
The show is headlined by the highly anticipated vacant English title fight between Troy Jones and Leon Willings, with a stacked undercard featuring Midlands champion Ryan Griffiths and unbeaten duo Levi Vaughan and Yahya Abdullah.
Final remaining tickets for ‘For King and Country’ are available now priced at £40 standard and £80 VIP from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.
Due to limited seating press accreditation must be requested by email by Thursday.