Actions speak louder than words tonight
The time for talking will soon be over as Daniel Breeze prepares to lock horns with title challenger Natty Howell in what is fast becoming a grudge match.
The two will go toe-to-toe for Breeze's British Challenge middleweight title in an eight-rounder tonight,
The duo battle for the belt on promoter Tommy Owens' show in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club with added needle.
They tipped the scales for the weigh-in at Jon Pegg's gym in Birmingham yesterday, going head-to-head with tempers on the verge of flaring.
Bloxwich's Breeze was the more tight-lipped of the pair, vowing to make his actions speak for themselves after the first bell rings.
He explained: "There's been a lot made of me coming up the weights to win this title, but I've never actually boxed inside the welter limit as a pro.
"In fact, the last time I did was when I won my last national title as an amateur and I was 16 at the time. If I'm honest, light middle will be my end weight.
"Natty is trying to be a bully, in my opinion, and we know what happens to bullies. I wasn't even listening to what he was saying.
"He's got to get in there and back it up now. Nothing is real until we are in the ring. After that, let's see what happens.
"I respect him, as I do all of my opponents, but I've got the edge on pedigree and experience. He's an athlete, but there's a difference between being fit and being sharp.
"I've had 85 fights, amateur and pro, and he'd be lucky if he's had 20. The truth is I've beaten better opponents than him."
Brummie Howell lives in Rowley Regis, but grew up a stone's throw from the Villa ground in Aston. He trains out of the MGM gym in Birmingham.
He'll be led to the ring by Matthew Macklin. The three-time world title challenger and former British and European middleweight champion hung up his gloves this week.
Howell could claim a belt in just his fourth pro bout and 'the Natural' makes no apologies for speaking his mind on the contest.
He added: "I don't really think there was anything naughty going on, I'm ready and I know he is. Everyone is talking about this fight.
"All I told him was that his amateur record doesn't mean a great deal to me and, if I get the chance, I'll knock him out. I'm in there to win and in style if I can.
"I've gone under the radar, because I've not had a long career, but I'm good enough to adjust to what he's got in the ring. I've got more than one game-plan."
