Dignum hopes for a lucky 13 (From Echo)

Dignum hopes for a lucky 13

3:22pm Thursday 12th January 2012 in Sport By Paul Alton

BOXER John Dignum is hoping Friday the 13th will prove lucky for him again tomorrow.

The 19-year-old middleweight was crowned senior Amateur Boxing Association champion on Friday, May 13, last year.

Tomorrow night he makes his professional debut on another Friday the 13th when he faces Lincolnshire rival Ryan Clark at York Hall.

And Dignum is determined to ensure he won’t suffer a horror show at the famous Bethnal Green venue.

“I feel good and I feel confident that I will get the win tomorrow night,” said Dignum, who defeated Liverpudlian James Seddon to take the 75kg senior ABA title.

“My training has gone well and so has my sparring in the gym, so I’m well prepared and feeling positive.

“Friday the 13th is going to unlucky for someone and hopefully it’s going to be Ryan.”

Clark is the veteran of 53 fights but has only won two and drawn four, with his 47 defeats including two knockouts.

But one of those victories came four fights ago, so Dignum is taking nothing for granted against his orthodox rival.

“He has had around 50 fights and only two wins but I know it’s going to be tough,” added Dignum, whose twin brother Danny is also a boxer.

“He’s still going to come forward and will try to make it difficult for me.

“But I have seen a couple of bouts with him on the internet.

“And I know that if I can perform as I know I can on the night then I will beat him.”

Dignum, who boxed out of Brentwood ABC before turning pro in December, has been training hard at Belhus Park BC.

His preparations have been overseen by coach Jason Rowland.

And he has received plenty of advice from fellow pros Stanford le Hope welterweight “John” Wayne Hibbert and Horndon heavyweight John McDermott, who both train at the South Ockendon gym too.

Dignum said he had known Rowland since he was eight and called him “a very good trainer” who brought a lot of experience with him.

The pair have completed the core preparations and Dignum has spent the week on speed work.

“The two Johns have been telling me to keep to my boxing, be clever and keep my hands up,” added Dignum, who will taking around 150 supporters frrom Essex to York Hall in Bethnal Green tomorrow night.