Boxing
Bradley Rea addresses claims about being more 'hungry' than Lyndon Arthur
Watch Buatsi vs Parker only on DAZN - Saturday
European light heavyweight champion Bradley Rea has clarified that claims about him being more 'hungry' than Lyndon Arthur was a comment on his mental state, and not a criticism of his opponent.
The pair go head-to-head in Saturday's light heavyweight extravaganza, live on DAZN, which sees Joshua Buatsi and Zach Parker clash in the main event.
When the pair met at the announcement press conference in August, Rea's comments were seen by many as an attempt to add an extra bit of tension to this all-Manchester affair.
However, Rea's hungry mentality was born from months of frustration and the feeling of not being given the opportunities to prove himself on the biggest stages.
"People took that as a dig at him, that he’s not hungry, but it was more how hungry I am," Rea told DAZN News in an exclusive interview.
"The pullouts have lit a fire in me that I don’t think any of these other light heavyweights have. They have had it all plain sailing, they know when their next fight is going to be, they are guaranteed fights on these big shows, I haven’t had that.
"It has given me a chip on the shoulder."
Rea's perseverance has paid off with the 27-year-old signing a promotional deal with Frank Warren's Queensberry earlier this year.
With Queensberry fast becoming the home of the British light heavyweight division, a victory for Rea would put him in the mix to face the likes of Buatsi and three-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde.
"There are so many talented lads knocking about and that’s the reason why Queensberry appealed so much to me. These are the types of fights I want to be in," Rea said.
"Queensberry can make these fights happen. There are so many different avenues, but I want to be in the mix, and I feel like I am in the mix. I feel like beating Lyndon Arthur puts me in the mix even more.
"For a long time, I wasn’t spoken about. I was brushed to the side and I had to sit at home and watch these lads fight on TV on a Saturday night. I want to be in these fights, I can beat these lads."
A win over Arthur would be some way to make a statement for Rea, but his opponent will offer a stern test.
The pair have sparred numerous times and Arthur knows that a loss in this European light heavyweight title fight could be the beginning of the end of his boxing career at the top level.
Watch Buatsi vs. Parker live on DAZN
Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker is live on DAZN this Saturday night, November 1. Watch the fight and whole card with a DAZN subscription.
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