A chance for TV redemption for Sheffield fighter Loua Nassa

 

He was KO'd in the final round.

Now the 22-year-old gets a chance to redeem himself on Friday, when he takes on Tanzania's Nasibu Ramadhan, 25-12-2 (13), live on Freesports.

It was at the same venue in February that Nassa, 11-1, lost to Brad Watson as they battled for the Guernsey man's English Super Flyweight belt; he was stopped in the tenth.

Now Nasa says that he will not only beat his African opponent in their Commonwealth Bantamweight Title eliminator, but is planning an early night.

'I don't see the Brad Watson fight as a loss, and I learned a lot from it,' said Nassa, who is one of five fighting siblings.

'I feel like everything happens for a reason and maybe it was meant to happen.  I'm just really excited to come back, and come back stronger.  I feel more mature and can't wait to get out there and win again.

'When I've watched the Watson fight back, it's hard, but I feel like I lost the fight because of me, not because he was better than me.  I let emotions take over and I was maybe a bit too light and weak at the weight.  I've learned my lessons though.  This fight, I've righted the wrongs and it's like redemption for me.

'Ramadhan is an experienced fighter and he's going to be a tough opponent who will come to win, but I'm going to knock him out.  I really feel like I'm going to stop him and this will be the fight that puts me back into the mix.

'I'm very excited and can't wait to get in there.  I want to get my first win on TV and show everyone what I can do.  I trust in Dennis [Hobson] and know he'll get me the title shots.  After this fight, winning will elevate me and will allow me to fight for other titles, even if it's not the Commonwealth.'

Manager Dennis Hobson said: 'There aren't many fighters that don't lose, but it's all about how you come back from a loss.  

'I have faith in Loua and still believe he can go onto bigger things.  This is an important fight for him, and getting a shot at the Commonwealth Title will be a big step, because it's a meaningful belt that can move fighters onto the international stage.

'This is going to be another great night of boxing.  We've continually produced the goods for the Freesports viewers, the feedback we've had on the shows we've worked on so far has been excellent, and I'm expecting Loua's fight, as well as Tommy Frank who is also topping the bill, to be tremendous TV viewing again.'