Summer of destiny for Sam Horton

Stourbridge boxer Sam Horton faces a double date with destiny this summer starting with his first day of reckoning in Prizefighter.

The 24-year-old takes his spot in the eight-man, one-night, three-rounds-a-fight tournament at London's York Hall, starting off against Patrick Mendy after being called into the competition as a late replacement for British title contender Stevie McGuire.

Horton is a 16/1 outsider with bookmakers Victor Chandler to be the last man standing, but the super middleweight is used to fighting the odds as his last outing was up against Olympic gold medalist James DeGale in May.

That dream went south in five rounds but the Black Country boxer is refusing to give up on his hopes of stardom, winning Prizefighter and claiming the £32,000 grand prize.

And that wouldn't half be a cracking wedding present for when he ties the knot with bride-to-be Sallyann Richardson at Wombourne Church on July 31.

But first things first, in front of a national audience on Sky Sports tomorrow night.

He said: "I am happy, this is an opportunity for me to get back into the big time, with a good performance in this it could shoot me right back up there again.

"I am confident of my chances and this will suit me more, to be honest, because Prizefighter is just non-stop go out there and brawl. I have always said whoever wants this tournament the most will win it.

"When you take on someone like James DeGale over 12 rounds, he just gets better and better as the fight wears on because he is such a technical boxer.

"He can work you out really quickly as well, whereas there isn't the time in a three round fight."

Horton will open the tournament with Gambian-born teenager Mendy, at 19 the youngest fighter to ever appear in the competition.

Should the Black Country boxer best through, it could set up an all-West Midlands semi-final with Eddie McIntosh, provided the Birmingham fighter can beat former amateur champion Daniel Cadman in the first round.

It would be a chance of revenge for Horton, who is still smarting from watching McIntosh beat his stable-mate Quinton Hillocks for the British Masters title last October.

Hillocks and Horton are firm friends and boxed for the same amateur club as youngsters, Lions in Dudley.

And Horton would be only too keen to show McIntosh who is 'the man' on fight night.

He said: "I would like to settle the score, as I have known Quinton for years. I would make my mate happy by beating Eddie."