By Terence Dooley

Robin Reid's points win over Jamie Ambler at the Bolton Arena on February 26th secured a March 23rd Prizefighter: Super-Middleweights berth for the former WBC and IBO 168lb world title holder, it was Reid's first action since a November 2007 British title loss to current WBC boss Carl Froch. The 'Grim Reaper' had been tempted by an offer to return to the ring for the 175lb Prizefighter tournament back in January, Robin, though, was adamant that he wanted to return to his old 168lb stomping ground.

“[Prizefighter creators] Matchroom Promotions approached me to do the light-heavyweight tournament in January but it was too short notice. I asked them when they'd be doing a super-middles one and asked them to put me in for it,” revealed Reid when speaking about the event, which will be held at Liverpool’s Olympia.

“It feels great, I've got a positive response. People know my history, world champion and all the rest of it, so the only question people have over me is my age, which doesn't bother me because I like to be the underdog.”

Reid overpowered WBC titleholder Vincenzo Nardiello in 1996, he made three defences of the belt before losing to Thulani Malinga in 1997. Robin tweaked his style, coming back to push Joe Calzaghe all the way in their 1999 WBO title encounter and handing Brian Magee his first defeat after a bitty IBO title encounter in June 2004.

The Runcorn-based boxer had been known as an aggressor during his early career only to become a canny counter puncher as time ticked on. Reid, however, may have to revert to the fury of his youth if he is to prevail in the three-threes knockout format.

“You have to think about it because you've only got the three rounds. As you say, as my career went on I became a bit of a counter puncher and learned to settle down in fights against people like Henry Wharton and Joe Calzaghe, guys you're not going to take out early,” he mused.

“But I can punch, as you know from my fight with Magee. I don't have to pace myself for twelve rounds so can have a tear up and look to take them out as soon as possible, which is no disrespect to the other lads. I am in this to win it, not just to take part.

“I don't want to disrespect the other lads by saying this but three years ago I was fighting Carl Froch. I've only had a warm-up since then but it is not like I'm the only one who's not been too active recently. Tony Quigley came back tonight [Saturday] but he hadn't fought since he lost to Paul Smith in 2009, Joe Ainscough is coming back after a few years out and Carl Dilks hasn't fought since the DeGale fight. I'm not the only one who hasn't had as many rounds lately.”

Indeed, the 40-year-old believes that his four-threes win over Ambler allowed him to get the feel for fighting again. “I was a little bit too eager the other week and settled down. I was glad to get a few rounds under my belt rather than just blast someone out in a round,” insisted Reid.

“I got rid of a bit of rust and am up for this. I saw Magee doing well for himself in Europe recently and that is someone I floored four times and took a world title off. Carl Froch is doing great as the WBC champion and is in the mix with the Super Six. I never shamed myself in any of my losses and competed with the best so don't see why I can't do this.”

Reid's clash with Calzaghe resulted in a tight split-decision win for the Welshman. Robin gave Joe one of his toughest fights to date; he always entertained hopes of a return. The former champion jokingly told me that a Prizefighter win and the subsequent fame could be enough to tempt Joe out of retirement.

“I asked Joe if he was interested in the rematch eight or nine months ago at the WBC convention but he wasn't interested, he joked that he didn't want to do the first fight but had been talked into it! Joe likes the celebrity side of things so if I get this Prizefighter then you never know. It would be nice, wouldn't it? Let's do it again, why not!” laughed Reid, 40-6-1 (27 early).

Prizefighter: The Super-Middleweights line-up

Joe Ainscough

Carl Dilks

Patrick J Maxwell

Jahmaine Smyle

Tony Quigley

Robin Reid

Wayne Reed

Tobias Webb

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