Gleason’s Famed Trainer John Rooney Jnr. Speaks His Mind On Bruce Scott, ‘Buster’ Keeton and Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights.

John Rooney Jnr. head coach and owner of the World Famous GleasonÆs Gym London near Tower Bridge, spoke out on the upcoming Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights, which takes place at EarlÆs Court on Tuesday May 19th, and the chances of his charge, former British, Commonwealth and WBU International Champion Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott, being victorious and pocketing the top prize of ú25,000.

Rooney, who as a manager and/or trainer, guided many well known fighters, such as fellow Prizefighter 7 competitor Micky Steeds, British Featherweight Champion Martin Lindsay and British, Commonwealth and European Middleweight Champion Howard Eastman, to national and International glory, was chosen by æLionheartÆ to prepare him for his return to big time boxing, following a three year sabbatical from the sport, because as the big Jamaican simply puts it. ôJohnÆs the best in the business and GleasonÆs is the best gym in the Worldö

Following ScottÆs final coaching session the ever chirpy Irishman sat down and spoke about ScottÆs preparations, his first opponent in the tournament and the Prizefighter series.

On ScottÆs training Rooney said. ôBruce is training really well at the minute. HeÆs been out for three years but has lived the clean life in the three year period and hasnÆt abused his body. IÆve known Bruce for ten years and IÆve never seen him looking this good.

Bruce ScottÆs gonna be hard to beat, put it like that, Bruce is gonna be hard to beat. In sparring heÆs been dropping heavier guys to the head and the body. I donÆt have any concerns on any of the guys in Prizefighter including the ones coming up from Light Heavyweight to make Cruiserweight. Bruce Scott has every chance of winning.ö

On learning that Scott has been drawn to face the former World Boxing Foundation and World Boxing Federation, WBO Inter-Continental and BBBofC British Champion, John æBusterÆ Keeton, in the second quarterfinal of Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights on the 19th May at EarlÆs Court, Rooney grinned broadly before saying ôI think weÆll be fighting the winner of one of the other quarterfinals in the next round. Bruce has knocked Buster out twice. Not that IÆm saying heÆll do that again, but this is the best I have seen Bruce in ten years quite frankly.ö

This will be the third time that æLionheartÆ and æBusterÆ have fought each other. The first, in December æ94, Scott knocked Keeton out in the second round. Almost six years to the day, on the 16th December 2000, they faced each other again for the BBBofC British Cruiserweight title. After six rounds of brutal action æLionheartÆ again finished off æBusterÆ with a devastating knockout punch.

Finally Rooney gave his thoughts on the Prizefighter series. ôItÆs really good entertainment, ItÆs the best boxing on the telly. ItÆs an all drama type situation. ItÆs a great success for TV. Barry Hearn is talking about taking the series to the US and Asia as well. ItÆs brought the life back to boxing.ö

The Prizefighter series is a knockout boxing tournament created by boxing promoter Barry Hearn and aired on Sky Sports. The format has an initial eight fighters compete in four quarterfinals with the chance of fighting their way into a final fight for a chance to win a main prize of ú25000. All contests take place on the same evening and consist of 3 x 3 minute rounds.

Prizefighter 7: The Cruiserweights, takes place at EarlÆs Court in West London on the 19th May 2009. The eight fighters that compete in Prizefighter 7 are all former champions. They are British, Commonwealth and WBU International Champion Bruce æLionheartÆ Scott (27-9), Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion Darren æRaging BullÆ Corbett (27-4-1), British and European Cruiserweight Champion Terry Dunstan (20-2), British, Commonwealth and European Light Heavyweight Champion Dean æStarÆ Francis (30-3-1), British Cruiserweight Champion John æBusterÆ Keeton (26-16), British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Neil æSimmoÆ Simpson (26-18-1), British Southern Area Cruiserweight Champion Micky Steeds (12-4) who replaced Mark Krence, who pulled out following an injury sustained during training, Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Ovill æThe UpsetterÆ McKenzie (14-9)

Take note now so you donÆt kick yourself afterwards. Prizefighter 7 - The Cruiserweights is a donÆt miss event and will be held at EarlÆs Court Arena in West London on Tuesday 19th May 2009

Tickets cost ú25 (unreserved) and ú50 (reserved, ringside) and are available by calling 0870 264 3333 or 01277 359900.