Robin Reid has said the pressure is on IBO super middleweight champion Brian Magee to prove he is really world class when they fight in Belfast on Saturday.
Magee is now in the world's top 10 but former WBC champion Reid is confident he will win the "Battle of Britain".
"Maybe Magee thinks he is ready for world class now but I think he may be in for a surprise," said Reid.
"Magee is in the position now that he has to show he is world class, so really the pressure is more on him."
Magee has worked his way up to the top 10 in the WBC ratings, defeating the likes of fringe contenders Jerry Elliott and Hacine Cherifi along the way.
But Reid, who lost a controversial IBF title fight to Germany's Sven Ottke in December, said he was not that impressed.
"If he thinks beating Hacine Cherifi was a big thing I think he is kidding himself a little," said 33-year-old Reid.
'Big challenge'
"When I beat Cherifi he was at his best but he was a little bit shot when Magee fought him.
"This is another big challenge for me and I respect Magee. I always wanted this fight although it has been made out that I was avoiding him.
"It was actually the other way around because a year ago we made an offer to his camp and they turned it down.
"I have been there and done it and I am still up there. He has to make that step and I like the feeling of being the underdog, that suits me.
"I think I am considered the underdog because he has home advantage and that is fine. I think it is going to be a great fight."
Magee vs Reid thread
Magee vs Reid thread
bbc
bbc
Magee ready for Reid test
Magee ready for Reid test
Brian Magee has just to fine-tune his preparations for the biggest date of his long career against Runcorn's Robin Reid at the King's Hall in Belfast.
A crack at WBA title could be on the table for the winner of Saturday's bout between Britiain's top two super middleweights.
Magee says that all the hard work has been done and it's time to get mentally right for the fight.
''The hard work is over. I'm ready. I'm focusing on Reid,'' said the Ulsterman.
Magee, who retained his IBO super middleweight champion for the seventh time last month, admitted when you do the hard training, you do not think about your opponent.
''When you are sparring and training, working the gym, putting in the rounds and doing the physical stuff, you don't think about the actual fight too much,'' he said.
Now I'm really thinking more about the night. Reid is in my sights.
''All the early concentration is on completing the tough work.
'I'll now focus on the challenge facing me on Saturday night - Robin Reid. It's now mental preparation.
''It's a big fight for me, all about grabbing the opportunity. That's what I intend to do.
''I'm feeling good within myself for the Reid fight, very comfortable.
''I'm not far away weight-wise, because I didn't have too much time off after the Jerry Elliott fight last month.
''There were days during the training programme when I felt I could fight right there and then.''
The 33-year-old Reid is due to arrive in Belfast on Wednesday with the weigh-in at the Europa Hotel on Friday.
This is a real compelling fight, I think it is more compelling given Magee's indifferent display last time out. I was impressed with the way he handled Thysse a few fights previous, but last time he was poor.
I think that is the reason why this fight hasn't attracted this board to the degree I would have expected. It so close to call, many chose not to discuss it.
I'm going for Magee just to be the fresher fighter and edge out a majority decision.
I think that is the reason why this fight hasn't attracted this board to the degree I would have expected. It so close to call, many chose not to discuss it.
I'm going for Magee just to be the fresher fighter and edge out a majority decision.
Kevo , i agree. Magee has never remotely fought at Reid's level and while Rob certainly isn't at the top of the tree, he will be too strong, will find Magee easy to hit, and will probably win by KO. The last time i looked on Betfair Magee was favourite, either the fix is in or this is our chance to make a few punts.
-
Twinkle Toes
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 3340
- Joined: 22 Sep 2003, 08:38
-
jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 45229
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
-
MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 13283
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
-
knockout artist
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1482
- Joined: 03 Sep 2003, 13:18
-
lirva33
- Heavyweight

This is a step up in class for Magee but Reid been in with much better fighters. It's also last chance saloon for Reid, he's 33 and been pro for a long time. That should fire him up, if nothing else, plus he's got to be thinking that the judges aren't going to do him any favours.
33-1 for rounds 3-6 looks quite tasty. I think it'll go on a few rounds longer, but at those odds I'll have a few on that and an early finish as well.
33-1 for rounds 3-6 looks quite tasty. I think it'll go on a few rounds longer, but at those odds I'll have a few on that and an early finish as well.
-
jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 45229
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
True, but for me Magee doesn't consitute a 'big one'. He seems a bit fragile on occasion and I've yet to see evidence that he'll be up to it if they head into the trenches.Goz wrote:Agreed, Reid is one of those fighters who does just enough to lose but with a little bit of credit.MightyWarrior wrote:Magee will outpoint Reid. Rob talks a good fight as ever, but he seems to lack the fire to win the big ones.
Magee just seems that bit too fragile and I fancy Reid on a late stoppage. However, this doesn't disguise the fact I still think Reid's a wasted talent who's missed his chance to have a decent impact at world level.
Secondsout.com quote:
Reminds me of the Great Winston Churchill:
Stirring stuff.Magee: "I may even stop Reid"
Reminds me of the Great Winston Churchill:
Reid must be crapping himself.we may fight on the beaches, we might also fight on the landing grounds, we'll possibly fight in the fields and in the streets, we could even fight in the hills; we might never surrender
-
jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 45229
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Priff wrote:Secondsout.com quote:
Stirring stuff.Magee: "I may even stop Reid"
Reminds me of the Great Winston Churchill:
Reid must be crapping himself.we may fight on the beaches, we might also fight on the landing grounds, we'll possibly fight in the fields and in the streets, we could even fight in the hills; we might never surrender
Great stat about that Churchill speech is that every word in it is derived from Anglo Saxon or Old English, with one exception, and that's the word 'surrender', which is derived from French.
Three years of studying Old and Middle English, and that's about the only decent thing I learned.