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Bendall: ‘Wayne is in for big surprise’

From the archive, first published Wednesday 27th Sep 2006.

STEVE Bendall has warned newly crowned WBF international middleweight title-holder Wayne Elcock to "under-estimate" him at his own peril.

The Poole-based southpaw defends his English title against the Brummie at Aston Villa Leisure Centre on Friday, December 1.

That's the day Bendall celebrates his 33rd birthday and he fully expects to win and fix up a British title clash against Howard Eastman or Richard Williams.

The two Londoners duel on November 17 at Bethnal Green for the vacant British crown which the Battersea Bomber, who failed in three world-title bids, relinquished in 2004.

Looking ahead to his contest against Elcock, Bendall said: "Wayne has just struggled a bit to beat Vinnie Baldassara on his home territory and his people still think he is going to knock me out.

"All I can say is Elcock is going to be in for a big shock if he under-estimates me.

"His people are saying they are going to knock me out because of the way my fights went against Scott Dann and Sebastian Sylvester for the British and European titles.

"I didn't box well against Dann and the main reason I lost against Sylvester was because of lack of preparation time after I was mucked about and called up late for the fight.

"This is all about me putting myself back on the map and he isn't going to beat me.

"I'll be 33 on the day of the fight and I plan to give myself the best possible birthday present - victory and a fight against Eastman or Williams.

"I have fought a few times on or around my birthday and have always put on a good performance, and I expect to do so again."

Elcock - a 32-year-old with a won 16 lost two record - might have triumphed in six rounds against Baldassara, but he later needed five stitches in a cut near his eye.

Like Bendall, Elcock lost to Dann for the British title in 2005, albeit on a unanimous decision after going the distance.

Bendall, whose record is won 24 lost two, was knocked out in six a year earlier.

The Poole boxer warms up for his Elcock clash with a bout against an as yet undecided opponent at Weston-super-Mare on Saturday, October 7.

Bendall said: "I had been due to go up against Rob Burton but he lost at the weekend and is out of the equation now.

"It's just getting the right fight to get me moving towards Elcock."

Tickets, priced £20, for that fight are available from Steve on 07855 942151.