Morden’s Lenny ‘Lightning’ Daws has already begun making plans for next year and insists 2014 will be his year.

The 34-year-old bounced back from his controversial defeat in the European light-welterweight title challenge against Italian ‘The King’ Michele Di Rocco in June to post a six round points (58-56) success over Welshman Tony ‘The Snake’ Pace last Saturday at The Glow in the middle of Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe.

The Carshalton-born former British title winner now hopes his promoter Mick Hennessy can get him back to fighting 12-round European and international title contests, which he feels is the level he should be competing at.

“I’m a 12-round fighter.” said Daws, who now moves to 26 victories in 31 outings.

“He (Pace) had all to gain by fighting me. This six-rounder was just to get me going but if it went a little bit longer then I would have got him out of there.

“I don’t really take fights over six rounds unless I had to keep busy so I had to take it.”

It looks very much that a re-match with Di Rocco might not happen after the Italian’s promoter Christian Cherchi of OPI 2000 claimed he has secured a defence against Northern Ireland’s former European champion and world title challenger Paul McCloskey.

Daws said: “I love to get it on again, we’re pushing for that but I don’t think they are interested.

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On the nose: Daws, right, lays one on Tony Pace

“They are saying to us he’s got to fight Paul McCloskey next but he’s gone off the scene. The Italians have gone quiet so it doesn’t look like he’ll be out again until next year.

“I should have been European champion so that’s where I belong at European level."

He added: “Now I just have to sit down with Mick [Hennessy] and see what’s next on the map then come out and perform again.

“I want some big fights and next year is going to be my year definitely.”

Meanwhile there is going to be another all-Carshalton Southern area light-welterweight title clash on December 14 at ExCel Arena, Docklands with Tony Owen defending his crown against Ricky Boylan.

Owen outpointed his close friend Danny Connor in a highly entertaining encounter last month at The O2, North Greenwich.

Daws, who knows both boxers very well, gave his thoughts and prediction on this upcoming local derby encounter.

He said: “All of them come from my gym and they all box in my weight so it should be a good fight.

“Tony might outbox Ricky slightly but if Ricky can get to him early then who knows.

“Tony has done the 10 rounds a few times but Ricky hasn’t so it’s going to be a stepping stone for him.

“It’s going to be very close but it will be a good one, I’ll definitely be watching.”

Double topping the bill on December 14 are Kevin Mitchell and Brunet Zamora for IBF Inter-continental lightweight title, and Lee Purdy and Leonard Bundu clashing for European welterweight title.

Olympic 2012 super-heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua also appears.

For tickets contact 01277 359900.

All pictures by Gary Brind

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