Kid Shamrock not bothered by change of opponent ahead of headline fight

On Friday night in Liverpool, local lad JJ Metcalf [13(6)-0] faces the toughest test of his career.

Kid Shamorick headlines, on a show which features Crumlin’s Phil Sutcliffe Jr on the undercard, at the Greenbank Sports Academy and will take on Cameroonian Olympian Serge Ambomo [5(2)-0] over eight rounds.

The unbeaten light middleweight was first due to face former Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce, but the Welshman has since withdrawn. However, his new African opponent still presents a serious acid test and Metcalf told Irish-Boxing.com that “I have seen a bit of him and I know he’s unbeaten. He’s got a good pedigree with having gone to the Olympics. He’s strong and is a bit of a puncher, and he’s hungry.”

Metcalf, the son of Shea Neary, explains that he has taken the change of opponent in his stride, and he noted that “it hasn’t bothered me much. His style is a bit different but not too much.”

“You have to expect things like this to happen in boxing.”

28 year old Metcalf, who harbours Irish title desires, believes that a win on Friday can catapult him to the next stage of his career. He outlined how “it will be an exciting fight an I see my hand getting raised at the end of it.”

“It is a step up and another unbeaten opponent so hopefully winning this fight will set me up for a title shot.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)