By Paddy Appleton

JOE Rea is delighted to be working with new trainer Kevin Maree and he believes it gives him the optimum chance to win Prizefighter on Saturday.

Rea goes into the tournament as one of the big names this time around and he believes he can handle the pressure of expectation.

“I’ve sold 200 tickets already and we’ve ordered another 100. For that I have to say thanks to my new manager, Leonard Gunning, who has really helped me build a fan base and get me set up with Kevin.

“It’s going great, I’m training three times a day and Kev works with me one on one. That is what I need and he’s watching me what ever I’m doing, whether it be shadowboxing or skipping.

“Kev is great for me, everyone knows the ability I have but they also know I’m lazy in the gym; well Kev doesn’t let me be lazy, he’s on my case all the time which is great.

“We both really believe we will win this, we believe in each other and there is good team work in the camp,” said the Prizefighter hopeful.

Rea will hope to be crowned Prizefighter champion on Saturday night, just before Paul ‘Dudey’ McCloskey makes his long awaited comeback against DeMarcus Corley at the King’s Hall, and the Ballymena man thinks the atmosphere will play a huge part in his motivation for the tournament.

He told us, “Yeah ready to go now as it’s almost upon us. I can’t wait, I really enjoyed the training camp its been brilliant and I will be as buzzing as every fan come Saturday.

“I was buzzing watching the Rogan fight as it just pumped me up even more for May 5^th and we are only days away now so I can’t wait to hear the fans roar me on.”

Finally, the rivalry that has become almost a sideshow to the main event is still bubbling as Rea aired his views on Anthony Fitzgerald’s withdrawal flirtations.

“I’ll not believe Fitz is in till I see him there on May 5^th. I still think he’ll bottle it, the last man I’m worried about is him, as I said I think he’s the weakest opponent in it so the easier the better.

“However, of course I’m glad he’s back in because I don’t rate him at all. As far as I’m concerned me and O’Kane are the two best in it, I hope we meet in the final.”

One of the Irish Prizefighter 8 ready to take Giant career Step