langfordDespite being given little more than three weeks notice, Sam Sheedy is exuding total confidence ahead of his British middleweight title fight against Tommy Langford.

With Chris Eubank Jr recently relinquishing the belt, Sheedy faces Langford for the vacant crown at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on October 22, live on BoxNation.

Originally due to face Eubank, Birmingham’s Langford will have had a full training camp when he steps through the ropes, but Sheffield’s Sam says that won’t make a difference.

Home fighter Langford will be the favourite heading into the contest after building up a 17-0 (6) ledger; although the ‘Brummie’ was given a competitive workout by Sheedy’s former stable mate, Lewis Taylor, earlier this year in March.

‘Speedy’ Sheedy has lost just once in 18 outings – a contentious decision to Nav Mansouri for the English light-middleweight title in 2015.  The 28-year-old, trained by Glyn Rhodes, beat Andrew Robinson in a Commonwealth title eliminator in July – despite a back injury – and is convinced he will send Langford home empty-handed.

“I’m a lot better than Lewis Taylor; I’ve sparred Lewis a couple of times and I’ve schooled him,” explained Sheedy, who has four KOs on his record.  “Styles make fights and Tommy is perfect for me; he’s tall and rangy, and that’s who I like to box.  I’m a slippery, unorthodox southpaw who’s hard to hit; that’s what I do naturally.  Tommy is made for me.  If i could pick a fighter to fight, then I’d pick someone like Tommy Langford, every day of the week..  He’s perfect for me. 

“Andrew Robinson was known to be able to take a shot, he’s a ‘who wants him’ type of fighter.  You can throw the kitchen sink at Robinson and you won’t knock him out.  I hit hard, I know I do, and if I hit Tommy with just a 60 per cent shot that I hit Robinson with, then it’s all over.  Lewis [Taylor] rocked Langford a couple of times, and I hit a lot harder than Lewis.  But I do have a lot of respect for Tommy, he’s had to do it the hard way like me. 

“I’ve obviously stepped in at short notice, but I’m always in shape.  As I say, styles make fights and I’m all wrong for Tommy.  The British title that comes with this fight is fantastic, the most prestigious title in British boxing, but I’m not thinking about that.

“I love being the underdog.  There’s absolutely no pressure on me whatsoever.  Tommy’s been training for this fight for God knows how long, I’ve only been called in on three weeks notice, so there’’s no pressure one me.  He’s sold 2000 tickets and I’m going to beat him, in front of all those fans and on BoxNation.  It’s win-win for me, I’m going to look good, because I always look good!  Tommy has to look good and beat me, and he’s got all the pressure on him. 

“I wouldn’t have this any other way; if you were going to write a book, this would definitely be a chapter in it.”