Having based himself in Spain in recent years, Rotherham’s seasoned Nav Mansouri returns to fight on UK soil determined to upset the fancied Kieron Conway at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in Brentwood on Friday (August 14).
Mansouri (20-3-2, 6 KOs) hasn’t fought in the UK since July 2017, but has campaigned at a good level in Europe and is now eager to make an all-important statement on his homecoming.
Northampton’s slick Conway (14-1-1, 3 KOs) drew with Ted Cheeseman in a British 154lbs title tilt in June 2019 and is the ‘A-side’ in their 10-round encounter, but Mansouri believes he has been underestimated and can pull off the shock.
“I think they’re overlooking me,” said Mansouri. “They think Nav is done, but this fight just brought me back to life. I need this win. I’m desperate to get this win. It puts that little bit extra fire into it. I’m confident. I’m well-schooled and experienced in this game now. We never stop learning. I think I’ll have too much experience for Conway when it comes down to it.
“We shared some rounds a few years ago in Marbella but I can’t take anything from that. I can’t remember too much from the spar. It was a long time ago and he’s come on loads, and I’ve come on loads since then, too. I was injured back then as well. He’s a really nice kid but this is business and it’s my chance to shine again in the UK.
“We kind of box in similar ways. We’ll set traps for each other and it will be an intelligent fight. That’s the way I see it going. It’s all about the timing and speed, and the workrate we’re going to put into it. He’s tough and slick, it will be a great fight to watch. I haven’t boxed in the UK for a few years, now is the time to make a statement.”
Conway-Mansouri will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US on Friday.
Main image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom.