Walsh prepares for title defence

Liam Walsh says boxing fans will be the big winners when he defends his Commonwealth super-featherweight title against Paul Appleby later this month.

The pair meet at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on September 30 and while boxers usually disagree in the run-up to a fight, both Walsh and Appleby agree that a classic is on the cards.

'I've had a lot of fights there and I love it,' said Walsh. 'It's a brilliant atmosphere our fans always fill it out and make a lots of noise. I think it is an advantage to me to fight at York Hall, but Paul has fought in Belfast and it didn't look a brilliant atmosphere. He is experience enough to deal with York Hall and the fans.'

'I've been studying him a lot. I have been studying Paul for the last year and a half now. I remember watching him and saying to my brother and a friend as we sat there that I would love to fight this guy and here we are, a year and a half later and the fight is on.

'But the winners will be the boxing fans.

'I'm looking forward to the fight - I think it will be a cracking fight. We are both fighting at good points in our career, we are both hungry, we are both young and ambitious.

'I am super-fit and ready to go - I hope Paul turns up in the same condition and let's put on a good fight for everyone. Let's leave it all in the ring and put on a fight for the public.'

Appleby takes a 17-2 record into the ring and insist he is ready.

'I'm looking forward to it,' he said. 'Liam is a great fighter. It is going to be amazing fight for the public to watch and for my fans coming down I am going to give them a good show.

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