Gareth Couch article

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 10 Jan 2006, 07:11

from This is local London.

BOXER Gareth Couch has gone from training in a dingy shed behind a pub in High Wycombe to the bright lights of Monte Carlo.

The Loudwater fighter, who still trains in the shed behind the King George V pub on the London Road, will have the seventh fight of his professional career in Europe's glitzy gambling capital live on Eurosport television.

Couch said: "This is where I want to be. This is the type of thing I have been working for. I have always hoped that one day I would be fighting in places like this.

"Fighting in a place like Monte Carlo means I am moving in the direction I want to be going, but I have got to keep it going. This is just another step. I want to be the British champion, I want to be the top boxer in the country and this is just another step.

Couch still doesn't know who he will be fighting in the eight-round clash on March 18 which looks set to be matched at 9 stone 4lbs.

His coach Jim Evans told him about the fight just before Christmas and told him to go away and enjoy himself over the holiday period without worrying about the fight.

Couch has won all six of his professional fights so far but he will have to beat his television jinx if he is to make it seven out of seven.

As an amateur, fighting at the ABA Championships, he lost every time he appeared in front of the cameras.

He told the Free Press: "That's not a good omen and it is a record I want to break.

"I certainly won't be worrying about the cameras. I will put them out of my mind because if I am going to get to where I want to get I have got to get used to them.

"This is a great opportunity for me to show my skills to a wider audience."

On Couch's last outing he claimed the biggest win of his professional career so far when he beat Henry Castle, who was ranked 11th in the country.

It his biggest scalp by some distance as he came out on top by three rounds against the former ABA champion from Salisbury.

After the fight Evans heaped praise on his fighter.

He said: "I'm so proud of him. It is the toughest fight Gareth has had so far but nothing fazes him. I keep putting obstacles in front of him and he keeps on coming through them.

"He just gets better and better and I'm convinced he's got what it takes to be a top fighter."

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 10 Jan 2006, 08:51

Good for Couch, his form warrants a TV appearance on the undercard. He really had to work hard to beat Castle in Portsmouth, but it was a points win he fully deserved in an excellent bout.

You won't catch me saying this very often, but I would actually like to see Jim Evans ease up on the opposition for a few bouts. He deserves a few easier fights, before stepping up again. The Castle fight was hard.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 10 Jan 2006, 10:46

I was impressed with Couch in the Castle fight, he had to overcome a very determined opponent in his hometown, was an excellent fight , Couch overcame a couple of sticky moments to win on points.

Great atmosphere at Pompey as well, both boxers brought along lots of support, not one bit of trouble during or after, both boxers were appluaded by both sets of fans