Boxing: Elcock army on the march; BIG FIGHT COUNTDOWN Brits out in force for Brummie's big Basle bout.Byline: By Ian Johnson Ian Johnson may refer to:
SHARD End Coordinates: Shard End is an area of Birmingham, England. It is also a ward within the formal district of Hodge Hill. Shard End borders the village of Castle Bromwich to the north and Kingshurst to the east which are situated in the northern raider Wayne Elcock climbs into the ring in Basle, Switzerland, on Saturday night knowing he'll have loads of support from all over the country. He told me from his hotel base last night: "My mobile has hardly stopped since I arrived here on Sunday night Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, was an NBC late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. . "There is no doubt I will have plenty of company when I go in against Arthur Abraham planning to take the world IBF IBF See: International Banking Facility title from him. "My fan base could be as many as a couple of hundred - and not all Brummies. I am expecting a good crowd from the Chelsea Football Club, who I got to know when I was training in London. "I have also had calls from Manchester and Sheffield, which has given me a huge boost." Pat Cowdell, who was part of the Elcock team for the preparations against Howard Eastman, has again been a terrific help. The former contender for the world featherweight title said: "When I fought Salvador Sanchez for the world title in Houston there must have been 20-30 Brummie fans, which gave me a big lift. "The noise they made in the huge Houston Superdrome was unbelievable. "But I have told Wayne that before he gets into the ring he must forget all that. He must be totally focused. "He has the mobility and the power to become world champion, a thing I missed out on by just one vote. But it wasn't for the lack of concentration. "I will not be in Basle because I have a show to organise at the Burlington Hotel for Monday, but I will be out there in spirit willing Wayne to the title." Another voice of support comes from fellow middleweight and possible future opponent Matthew Macklin. The Solihull scrapper told me before jetting off to Las Vegas, where he will be in the Ricky Hatton corner for the spectacular against Floyd Mayweather: "I wish Wayne all the best. "He has a tough job on his hands but the way he beat Howard Eastman to win the British title was impressive. "That must have been a massive boost for his confidence, which counts so much when you climb into the ring. "He was in terrific physical condition for that fight and will have been able to build on that for the Abraham clash. "The odds are stacked against Wayne but if I can get a bet on in Vegas my money will be on my fellow Brummie. "And come 2008 who knows. It could be Elcock v Macklin at the NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98). NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. or the Arena. What a night that would be." |
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