Stewart tackles Meemea at York Hall

Tony Sims-trained lightweight Dave Stewart is not looking past his fight against Judex Meemea on the Junior Witter vs. Colin Lynes undercard this Friday, October 21, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, despite the fact he is set to meet Danny Hunt in a British title eliminator early next year.

“I am approaching this with 100% dedication,” said the 30-year-old. “I never approach any fight lightly, particularly a potential banana skin like this.”

His opponent’s style increases the risk.

“Judex is an awkward customer,” Stewart explained. “He is tall, has long arms and is wild, so I am going to have to keep focused.

“I will keep it tight for the first round, take a good look at him and take it from there. I intend to outbox him. I like to dictate the pace and to keep things sharp.”

The Wanstead-based Scot opted to face Meemea after a date wasn’t finalized for his mandated eliminator against Hunt, whose promoter won the initial purse bids for the contest.

Whilst some have cast doubt on Hunt’s claim that he has postponed through injury, Stewart believes that he is genuine.

“I don’t think he is trying to avoid the fight,” he said. “I know Danny. I trained at Repton with him as an amateur and I would never question his heart.

“A lot of people have said to me that they think that he doesn’t fancy the job, but I believe he does. He mentioned that he wanted to fight me after he boxed Lee Meager last year.

“His injury seems genuine. It just seems that he has been a bit unlucky to get a cut that got infected and had some kind of complication. He has produced a medical certificate.

“I have had several fights fall through in the past and it is frustrating, but it must be just as frustrating for Hunt. I have heard that purse bids are going to be called for again, so at least we can look forward to finally meeting in the New Year.”

Whilst this fight will be his first over ten rounds, Stewart believes he demonstrated that he is ready for a step up in distance following his eight round points win over Anthony Mezaache in July.

“I was pleased to get that under my belt; I had only ever been taken six rounds before,” he added. “Now I cannot wait to box over 10 and 12.

“The longer fights will suit me better because I am very relaxed and efficient. I don’t waste many shots, so wont tire as much as a lot of my opponents will.”

So what does Stewart think of the domestic fighters he may well have to be facing off against over the championship distances?

“There are a lot of talented guys around at the moment, Lightweight is a very healthy division,” he appraised. “I see my closest rival at the moment as being Danny Hunt, but that is merely because he is the one I will be fighting first.

“Graham Earl is obviously talented and he is on my radar as I want to win the British title, but out of them all I think the one that has the edge is Lee Meager.

“I am not just saying that because he is my Hennessy Sports team mate, I genuinely feel he is a bit in front. He is an all round better boxer, carries a decent dig and is that bit stronger.”

So would he ever fight a colleague?

“I would rather take a different route than fight Lee,” answered Stewart. “But I have fought friends in the amateurs and if I really had to do it again, I would.

“At the end of the day it’s business. You don’t need to hate somebody to fight them. You get in there, do your job and be pals again afterwards.”

To aid his progression to title status, Stewart – who has trained in such exotic places as Hong Kong, Thailand and Tony Sims’ gym in Woodford – has recently been sparring Colin Lynes, who challenges British, Commonwealth and European light welterweight champion Junior Witter on Friday’s bill.

He thinks the challenger has a greater chance than most are predicting.

“Colin is better than most people think,” Stewart explained. “He is a solid, intelligent, fighter. He is up against it in such a talented operator as Junior Witter, but it might not just be as one sided as some think.”

Tickets for the Witter-Lynes event at the York Hall on October 21st being promoted by Matchroom Sports in association with Hennessy Sports can be purchased on 01277 359900. Sky Sports 1 televise.