POLISH EXPRESS AN BORO’S JJ BIRD ON BOXING BILL

The city’s Polish community has thrown its weight and support behind next month’s professional boxing championships in Peterborough – to cheer on its own sporting hero.

Polish fighter Marcin Marczak will be among the headline names confirmed for the event at Exec Peterborough, East of England Showground – which is hosting the first professional boxing championship in the city for the past five years.

And it is expected that a large number of the city’s thriving 20,000-strong Polish community will be turning out to support their national fighter Marcin – known as ‘The Polish Express’.

The recent announcement of the championship headlined boxing tournament, which will be held on March 9, has already created waves of excitement throughout the Peterborough’s Polish boxing and sporting fans.

A 2,000-strong crowd is expected at the event, which will also be streamed live to fans via You Tube.

The event, which is fully licensed by the British Board of Boxing Control, will once again put Peterborough on the map as a major venue for top sporting events – with the prospect of more to come.

Well-known boxing promoter Robert Waterman is the driving force behind the professional event, backed by local businessmen Peter Fraylich, Rob Barrowman and Stewart Howe.

Exec Peterborough managing director Keith Dalton said -  “This is a major coup for the venue and for the city. To be chosen to host the first professional boxing event to be held in Peterborough for a number of years is fantastic – not only for us, but for the many, many boxing fans in and around the city and surrounding areas.”

A full line up of boxers has yet to be finalised, but big local names on the bill so far include Caine Brodie, Jake Dyer, Michael Maguire and former Big Brother contestant JJ Bird.

Tickets are being sold to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Prices range from £30 for unreserved seats to £50 for ringside seats and £75 for diners.

Call 01733 882565 to book.

Photo of Marciz ‘The Polish Express’ Marczak courtesy of Philip Sharkey.