Horner set to take on boxing's '˜Mr Reliable'

Bridlington’s George Horner steps into the ring tomorrow night for his second professional fight - against a boxer who has been beaten more than 200 times.

The 23-year-old light-welterweight takes on Nuneaton’s Kristian Laight in Cleethorpes, knowing he will be expected to get the result comfortably.

Laight has boxed 235 times in the professional game and has won just 11 bouts, with seven draws.

It is a record which has seen him feature in lists of the country’s boxing journeymen, but Horner won’t be underestimating his opponent.

“He knows his job, I will have to be careful,” said Horner.

“I’ll spend the first half-round seeing what he’s got but I know he is a good counter-puncher, a back foot fighter.”

The pair were due to meet in Hull last year for Horner’s debut, but the show was scrapped at short notice.

Since then, Horner has made an impressive introduction to the paid ranks by beating Ibrar Riyaz in Barnsley in November.

And he has his eyes on a forthcoming show at Scarborough Spa in May, where he expects to drop down to the lightweight division.

“I’m looking forward to the show in Scarborough, but I don’t want to be going into that on the back of a defeat,” added Horner. “If I am on form, I know I will beat Laight, but he knows his trade.

“I need to get in there, get the job done and get home. Then I will take a week off, eat what I want and then get back in the gym for the Scarborough show.”

Supporters can still buy a ticket for tomorrow’s fight, and a bus is leaving the Albion pub in Bridlington. For details, contact Horner on 07803 549138.