Boxing: Sinclair set to fulfil childhood ambition

Neil Sinclair is an old-fashioned fighter and on Saturday, after 15 years as a boxer, he has the chance to win the belt that he has wanted since he was a child. Sinclair, 28, will defend his British Welterweight title for a third time against the Welshman Bradley Pryce and that means if he wins he will keep the prestigious Lonsdale Belt that all British champions have the option of owning.

Sinclair won the British title in 2001 and after two defences last year he was told before Christmas that his next fight would be for a world title. He knew that if he were to win the world title he would inevitably relinquish the British one and would not have a chance to win the Lonsdale Belt outright.

"When the Belt was first placed round my waist it was the best feeling that I have ever had in boxing,'' said Sinclair. "I want to win a world title but I'm just so pleased that I can make the Lonsdale Belt mine first." Sinclair is favourite against Pryce, who has never fought at welterweight, but Sinclair has been vulnerable. Pryce was a good puncher at light welterweight and should maintain the power at the new poundage.

The British title fight is the nominal main event at the new Odyssey Arena in Belfast and will be supported by Takaloo's latest World Boxing Union light middleweight title fight against Dublin's Jim Rock.

The world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was threatened with legal action yesterday after signing for a re-match with Mike Tyson. Lewis had been due to fight Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko in April. But, a spokeswoman for the Briton's promoters said he would return to the ring on 21 June depending on how Tyson fares against Clifford Etienne next month.