Paul Economides is hoping opportunity will come knocking after he made a scintillating return to the ring on Friday night.
The 28-year old, of Vicars Cross, took just two rounds to inflict the first ever stoppage on seasoned Ghanaian Isaac Quaye at Liverpool’s Grand Central Hall.
Quaye, 34, had a record of 27 wins and eight defeats heading into Friday’s bout and had gone the distance in every one of his fights as a professional, including when he fought British, Commonwealth and European flyweight champion Kevin Satchell 12 months ago.
Economides, who was last in action when he defeated Hungarian David Kanalas to claim the WBF intercontinental super bantamweight title in August, now hopes his explosive start to 2015 will see him presented with the chance to make his mark in what he describes as a ‘make or break’ year.
“It was a tough fight and I didn’t expect to stop him as I’d fully prepared to go the distance,” said Economides, whose fight had top billing on Friday’s card in Liverpool after Russian talent Vladimir Tikhonov’s planned bout was pulled due to ‘unforseen circumstances’.
“The plan was to show people that I am in the form of my life and that I’m ready to take that next step.
“He (Quaye) had never been stopped before but I stopped him in two rounds. We studied him beforehand and identified his weakness as him being opened up to the right hook, and that’s exactly what we did.
“I’ve been out of the ring a long time and I wanted to get straight back in after I beat Kanalas in August but I’ve had to wait until now. I’m in the form of my life and all I need now is my opportunity. Just give me the shot.”
Super bantamweight Economides is in a division which boasts talents such as Carl Frampton, Scott Quigg and Kid Galahad, all of whom are competing on the world stage.
But Economides, ranked ninth in his division in the British rankings, says anyone outside the top three is fair game and believes he has to make his mark in 2015 before it’s too late.
“I said last year that this year is make or break for me and nothing has changed,” said Economides, who fights out of the Chester Boxers gym in Hoole.
“The top three guys like Frampton, Quigg and Galahad are on another level now but everyone else is there to be shot at and I’ll fight anyone. They just need to give me a date and I’m there.
“I’ve never been in better shape and if I’m going to make this work then I need to get my opportunities this year to show what I can do.
I’ve been a professional for six or seven years now and it’s about time I showed people what I’m all about.
“I’m ready for whoever...
“This is my time to shine now.”
