Kofi Yates ready for first pro bout at Lightweight this Saturday night in Preston

Kofi Yates is ready for this first fight at Lightweight as a professional this Saturday on the MGM Manchester show at Preston Guild Hall's. Yates avenged his only career defeat in his last outing, defeating Ben Wager over ten rounds. Since picking up the Central Area Light Welterweight title in the latter part of last year against Wager, 'Casper' and trainer, former Manchester favourite Anthony Farnell have made the decision to drop Yates down to Lightweight. Kofi feels that this move will bring a new dimension to his game which will elevate him into the title picture and predicts that his new found weight drop will prove dividends this coming Saturday night. "I will show a lot more power down at Lightweight than I've shown at Light Welter. The fans will see it on Saturday night. Once I hit this kid I'm fighting he will run. I do want to get rounds in so I don't care if he runs but if he wants to stand and fight I think I could stop him early. I'm just happy to be back in the ring." The Wythenshawe native will look to hit the ground running in 2016, having big plans of his own for the upcoming year which he believes will come to fruition under the guidance of Farnell and MGM Management. "I'd like to fight for a WBA International, something like that so I could hopefully get in the world rankings. I will definitely be more active this year but after this fight I want titles. If the opportunity to fight for the British or Commonwealth titles came up I'd take it in a heartbeat, I'll fight anyone and take any opportunity that is given to me, however I think realistically the international route is my best bet for now." Yates joins a card which features Liam Conroy, Michael Ramabeletsa and fellow Mancunian Lyndon Newman all contesting the British Challenge belts at Light Heavyweight, Super Bantamweight and Middleweight respectively. The show which also features former two time World Champion Malcolm Klassen will be a good opportunity for Yates to showcase his skills and newly found power in front of a packed Preston Guild Hall with 'Casper' having a strong travelling contingent making the short trip from Manchester. "I've had great support as always from the fans and my sponsors for this fight. I can't thank them enough and I'm guaranteeing I'll put on a good show for them come Saturday night." A few remaining tickets are still available from the Guild Hall box office and the fighters for the show on Saturday night that sees Wythenshawe's Kofi Yates feature on a card that showcases Liam Conroy, Michael Ramabeletsa and Lyndon Newman all in title action as well as former World Champion Malcolm Klassen amongst other top prospects.