‘Chunky’ Devine pledges to teach Connor ‘respect’

The pair are set to lock horns at York Hall on Saturday night and after Connor has sledged Devine’s hometown, the Luton-born boxer deliverd an ultimatum, claiming “I’m going to teach him some respect.”

Devine said: “He’s misjudged me by thinking he could draw me into playing mind-games, but he’s completely failed. His stupid comments only make me more motivated to beat him and take the title.

“I respect him as a boxer for what he’s achieved in his career, but I’m going to teach him some respect. He’ll learn that if he’s got something to say, he should say it to my face.”

Connor has also waged his dignity on the fight claiming that he will retire from professional boxing if he loses on September 6.

This heavily anticipated match-up has been built up as ‘fight of the year’ in the domestic boxing calender.

Michael ‘Chunky’ Devine has an impressive professional record having gone 11-1 and also won the belt at Super Featherweight in 2013.

Devine made the step up in weight division when he defeated Tornike Tortladze in June this year, where he gained the International Masters Silver Lightweight Title.

Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor is more experienced having fought in 20 professional bouts including at Light Welterweight where he only lost his Southern Area title last year at the O2 Arena.

Devine believes that everything is pointing in his favour. He’s a young boxer climbing through the ranks whereas Connor is on a downwards slope.

He said: “Danny’s achieved what he’s achieved in his career, and I respect that, but he’s had his shot. This fight is about me, the new kid who people are talking about and whether I can mix it with the best. He’s on the way down, I’m on the way up. That’s boxing.”

Devine is extremely confident as he explains how successful his training regiment has gone and feel’s that he is in optimum condition for the fight.

He said: “I’ve had a fantastic training camp in Belfast, and I’ve worked with my team to ensure that every base is covered. I’ve won both of my previous title-fights, and know exactly how to prepare for and approach the big, pressure fights.”

With this fascinating fight only days away, and the fighters so evenly matched, you can expect fireworks at a packed York Hall when Michael Devine and Danny Connor will be letting their hands do the talking.