Solomon Dacres ready to finally ‘put Michael Webster to bed’

It is often said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression but Solomon Dacres gets the opportunity to do just that in Birmingham on Saturday night. 

In November, and just days after signing with Queensberry Promotions, Dacres, 8-0 (2 KOs), was quickly given a platform to defend his English heavyweight title. The fighter in the opposite corner – Michael Webster – may have brought an unbeaten record with him but, in reality, he was there to provide Dacres with a respectable name to showcase his talents against,

Webster, 10-1 (6 KOs), did much more than that. The 29 year-old from Middlesborough pushed the sluggish Dacres all the way and looked unfortunate to lose a majority decision. 

Boxing can be unforgiving, and while Webster went back to the small halls to rebuild, Dacres was matched with his fellow prospect David Adeleye in a meaningful, intriguing clash of prospects. 

Little over a week before they were due to fight, Adeleye withdrew after sustaining an elbow injury during training, but rather than also pulling Dacres from the show, the call once again went out to Webster and he leapt at the chance to even the score. 

“This is a more tricky fight and he’s probably a better boxer, Webster,” Dacres said. “Last time we both got it at late notice and I wasn’t in the best shape. I was overweight and under-trained. Now, I’ve been training properly like I usually do and my conditioning is there. I’m much sharper.

“Adeleye has pulled out again. I think we’ve had three dates for this fight and three press conferences but I’ve never seen him once in six months so there are dubious signs as to whether he’s gonna take that fight anyway. I’ve got Webster again and it’s probably better for me that I get to put my last performance to bed, show the level I’m at and show how good I am in this one.”

No fighter likes their plans to change at the last minute, and though Dacres may be happy that he gets the chance to show what he is truly capable against Webster, the fight with Adeleye would have attracted plenty of attention and put the winner in position for some big fights next year. 

“It’s very disappointing because I think it was a good fight,” Dacres said. “It was a good fight for my profile and putting more eyes on me, putting in a good performance and putting myself on the map more. I know i’ve got the ability but it’s getting those sort of names on my record. It’s disappointing but I’m still boxing this weekend and I’ve just got to focus on myself performing.”