Tony Conquest

Tony Conquest set to do battle against Dubliner Ian Sims for vacant WBO European Cruiserweight championship at York on September 7

A 12-round title fight against a local favourite at York Hall must seem a less daunting ordeal to a visiting fighter when you have faced death threats from some of the toughest criminals in Ireland and been told your friend had been stabbed to death.

Dubliner Ian Tims comes from that troubled background to face unbeaten Dagenham fighter Tony ‘The Conqueror’ Conquest for the vacant WBO European Cruiserweight championship at York Hall on September 7.

The threats, from dissident Republican gangs and the stabbing of his friend Kevin Kenny who intervened in a pub row, came last year for the 32-year-old Irish cruiserweight champion.

It was certainly to his credit that Tims was able to continue a career that saw him stay unbeaten until he lost a tight decision in an EBU EU title clash against Juho Haapoja in Finland in January.

The man they call ‘The Tank’ looks like providing the toughest ring test for Conquest, as the reigning Southern Area champion gets the chance to claim the WBO European belt and gatecrash the WBO world rankings.

After representing Ireland during his amateur career Tims reeled off nine straight pro wins, highlighted by his win over Michael Sweeney for the vacant Irish title, before the defeat in Finland.

Unbeaten Conquest has also registered nine straight wins under the guidance of trainer Jason Rowland, before topping the bill on Queensberry Promotions’ latest BoxAcademy event.

The 28-year-old ‘Conqueror’ wants to keep busy after his explosive first-round victory over Leon Williams – a revenge win over his former gym pal at Canning Town’s TKO Gym, who had stopped Conquest in their amateur days.

Francis Warren of Queensberry Promotions said: “It’s a really good match up. Tony has made his intentions clear by blowing away Leon Williams in his last outing.”

The bill also features bright young prospects from the TKO Gym – flyweight Charlie Hoy and middleweight Tom Baker – alongside former ABA champion John Dignum in supporting bout action.

Joey Taylor and Darryll Williams are also named on the show that features the challenge of Lewis Pettit against Ian Bailey for the Southern Area featherweight belt.

The action will be shown live on BoxNation.