Boxing: Schwer confident

BILLY SCHWER, a 23-year-old from Luton whose punching power has earned him 17 consecutive victories in two years, faces the biggest test of his career when he meets the experienced British lightweight champion, Carl Crook, who is making a mandatory defence of his title at the Royal Albert Hall tonight.

Crook, an ex-paratrooper, has a record five title wins in the lightweight division thanks largely to his tactical awareness and determination. 'I know I've got that record, but it hasn't meant any loss of ambition,' Crook said. 'I fought for the European title against Antonio Renzo last December and that turned out to be a bit of a mishap. I'd like to go for that again, do better, perhaps go on to a world title shot.'

Schwer's direct style could leave him open to Crook's jab, but Crook still respects his opponent's big punch. 'Billy's one of the best' he said. 'People are talking about him, he's the one to beat.'

Schwer, for his part, has studied tapes of Crook's defeat against Renzo in Italy. 'We've been working on a few things from it,' he said. 'He's obviously a very good champion, has won his defences well and will be a good man to beat.'