Boxer Mark Lloyd vows to pull off upset

Shropshire boxer Mark Lloyd has vowed to relish the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up on one of the biggest British bills of the year tonight.

Shifnal's Lloyd takes on highly-rated Canadian Pier Olivier Cote on the Carl Froch show in Nottingham over eight three-minute rounds. Cote, who has yet to taste defeat in 18 contests and has won 12 inside the distance, represents the toughest opponent of Lloyd's career, which has brought 15 wins and five defeats.

But, despite being a huge underdog, Lloyd is confident he can pull off a major upset tonight.

"I love a challenge and these are the type of nights I'm in the game for," said the 36-year-old.

"I have watched a few videos of Cote and he is very impressive.

"I think he is a world champion in the making and it's going to be very tough.

"But I don't fear anybody and I think I can cause an upset."

http://youtu.be/K-4tyuYk-wc

The fight is expected to be the first televised bout of the evening on Sky Sports and Lloyd said the chance to impress in front of a TV audience has served to inspire him even more.

"I think I'm first one on, so it does give me more motivation. If I beat him it opens lots of doors," he said.

"That is why I took the fight. If I beat him I'm way back up there (in the rankings)."

Lloyd weighed in at 10st 3lbs 9oz yesterday afternoon, with his rival tipping the scales at 10st 2lbs 4oz.

But the Shropshire punching plumber, who has lost his last two bouts to Young Mutley in Prizefighter and controversially to Luciano Abis in an EU title contest in Italy, insists this will be his last contest at light-welterweight.

"Up until this week I've struggled with the weight a little bit," he added.

"It's come off fine in the last few days but I will look to step up to at least welterweight after tonight."

In the main event, Froch does battle for the IBF super middleweight crown when he takes on unbeaten Canada-based Romanian Lucian Bute, who is the champion. Froch yesterday weighed in at 11st 13lb 5oz while Bute was seven ounces heavier.

Video from Matchroom Boxing

See also:

• Defence key for Mark Lloyd says Barry McGuigan