Press Release: 13th April 2009

Photos by Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Hackney, London based Jamaican Cruiserweight, Bruce 'Lionheart' Scott, (27 (18 KOs) wins - 9 (4 KOs) losses) , returns to the ring, on the 19th May 2009 at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, after a three year sabbatical from the sport.

The former British, Commonwealth and WBU International Cruiserweight Champion is in training, under the watchful eyes of eminent coach, John Rooney Jnr. at Gleason's Gym near Tower Bridge, in preparation for the upcoming Cruiserweight knockout tournament which is part of the highly acclaimed Prizefighter series.

After a grueling training session Scott spoke of his return and his future Championship aspirations "I've been training hard for the Prizefighter series. It's an exciting format. Barry (Hearn) has made it a huge success. It's good for the fighters and the fans. I want to win it then go for the British title again."

Beaming at the thought Scott went on to say "Yeah, I want the British title. Rob Martin (the current British champion) didn't want to fight me when I was champion so it would be great to get a match with him after I win the Prizefighter. I'll make this a great victory and have a lot more coming. Maybe this could be the greatest comeback in British boxing history. "

Bruce 'Lionheart' Scott will be in action at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on 19th May 2009 in the highly acclaimed Prizefighter knockout tournament promoted by Barry Hearn's Matchroom Sports organisation and aired on Sky Sports.

EDITORS NOTES:

As an amateur Scott had an impressive record of 57 fights, suffering only four losses. 'Lionheart' won a silver medal in Caribbean competition and became the Jamaican Light Heavyweight Champion. During this time Scott represented Jamaica three times and was bestowed with the honour of being named the captain of his national team.

At just 20 years old Scott, a product of the now defunct Dragon gym in Montego Bay, left the balmy climes of his Caribbean home for the much cooler temperatures of London, England in his quest to become a World Champion.

Scott, who turned pro in 1991, gained his first professional championship, the BBBofC Southern Area Cruiserweight Title, on the 21st April 1998 when he stopped Dominic Nequs in the ninth round.

Five months later 'Lionheart' beat Darren Corbett to add the vacant BBBofC British and the Commonwealth (British Empire) Cruiserweight belts to his collection.

On 15th May 1999, Scott traveled to Sheffield to challenge WBO Cruiserweight Champion, Johnny 'The Entertainer' Nelson, for his title. After twelve hard fought rounds the judges unanimously that 'The Entertainer' had retained his belt.

Just two months later, on the 17th July 1999, 'Lionheart' flew to Dusseldorf, Germany to battle with the WBC champion, Juan Carlos 'Black Panther' Gomez from Cuba. Just 15 seconds from the end of the sixth round his dream again ended when the referee, Daniel Van de Wiele, stopped the fight following a barrage of punches that had Bruce reeling.

Scott regained the BBBofC British cruiserweight title with a stunning sixth round knockout of John Keaton at the Sheffield Arena on the 16th December 2000. He then went on to secure the coveted Commonwealth (British Empire) crown again after Garry Delaney quit at the end of the third round at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on the 10th March 2001.

With both the British and Commonwealth titles firmly in his grip once again Scott focused on securing another shot at a World title. His first step in this quest was to secure the vacant WBU International title by convincingly beating René Janvier at the Wembley Conference Centre on the 28th July 2001.

This magnificent victory earned Scott the right to face Welshman Enzo 'Big Mac' Maccarinelli for the vacant WBU title at the Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, Wales, on the 28th June 2003. Things started well for 'Lionheart' as he sent 'Big Mac' to the canvas in the first round. The Welshman got his revenge though by sending Scott to the deck three rounds later with a barrage of punches. Scott's World Championship dreams were ended just 11 seconds from the end of the fourth round when veteran referee Mickey Vann stepped in to stop the fight.

Bruce 'Lionheart' Scott retired in March 2006 after losing to Zimbabwean Hastings Rasani in Newport, Gwent. Scott had only taken the fight to help prepare for his upcoming challenge for the IBO Cruiserweight World Title against Carl 'The Cat' Thompson.

The Prizefighter series is a knock out boxing tournament created by boxing promoter Barry Hearn and aired on Sky Sports. The format has an initial 8 fighters compete in four quarter-finals with the chance of fighting their way into a final fight for a chance to win a main prize of £25000. All contests take place on the same evening and consist of 3 x 3 minute rounds.

The Cruiserweight Prizefighter Tournament will be the seventh in the series following on from the successes of:

Prizefighter 1: The Heavyweights, which took place at The York Hall in April 2008 and was won by Martin Rogan.

Prizefighter 2: The Heavyweights 2, which was held at Telewest Arena in Newcastle in September 2008 and was won by Norwich Heavyweight Sam Sexton.

Prizefighter 3: The Welterweights, took place at the York Hall in October 2008, amongst those taking part in this tournament were were former European champion Ted Bami; English champions Nigel Wright and Ross Minter; Former ABA champion Michael Lomax and Former IBO light middleweight champion Steve Conway. At the end of the night it was the former Amateur champ, Michael Lomax, that reigned supreme.

Prizefighter 4: The Middleweights, one month later in November 2008, again at the York Hall in Bethnal Green and featured as part of the Sky Box Office show featuring the Ricky Hatton fight with Paulie Malignaggi as the main event, tournament favourite Martin Murray claimed the £25,000 prize.

Prizefighter 5: The Light Heavyweights, took place on the 20th February 2009 and former British champion Tony Oakley took the spoils of victory in the final over Darren Stubbs.

Prizefighter 6: The Lightweights, took place at the Kelvin Hall in Scotland on the 24th March 2009. Local boy Ryan Brawley emerged the winner with victories over Ben Murphy, Paul Holborn and in the final Stephen Burke.