Lyell’s opponent confident of hometown advantage

The Niles boxer faces Sebastian Sylvester on Saturday in Germany.

Vindicator Staff Report

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TITLE SHOT: Boxers Billy Lyell of Niles, left, and Sebastian Sylvester of Germany pose for the media during a press conference Thursday in Germany, where Lyell (21-7 with 4 KOs) will get the chance that he has been waiting for on Saturday: A shot at Sylvester’s International Boxing Federation middleweight title. The bout will take place at the Jahnsportforum in Sylvester’s home town of Neubrandenburg.

German boxer Sebastian Sylvester said on Thursday that he hopes the support of his hometown fans will help propel him to a victory over challenger and Niles native Billy Lyell.

Lyell (21-7 with 4 KOs) will challenge for Sylvester’s IBF middleweight title on Saturday at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg.

And while Sylvester (32-3, 15 KOs) is confident the European soil will give him the advantage, Lyell said he fully expects the belt to come back home with him to the States.

“This is the chance I have been waiting for,” Lyell said at Thursday’s press conference. “Since my trainer Jack Loew also coaches [WBC/WBO middleweight champion] Kelly Pavlik, a fight against him is very unlikely.

“That is why we have been thinking about a fight with Sylvester for quite a while — we know him very well.

“I am in great shape since I was due to fight this weekend anyway so I will make the most of this great chance,” Lyell said.

While he prepares for the match of his life, Lyell knows he has to be thankful the bout was even scheduled.

Sylvester was originally scheduled to fight Pablo Navascues. But the Spanish fighter failed a random drug test during training and was immediately replaced last week by Lyell.

Sylvester’s camp says it won’t be an issue who the champion is fighting.

“Preparing for a new opponent on short notice is no problem for Sebastian,” coach Karsten Rower said. “We have watched tapes of Lyell.

“His style is similar to the guys we had in sparring,” Rower said. “Sebastian will be well-prepared and he will definitely defend his title.”

On the flip side, Loew said he too is confident his fighter will bring home the strap.

“We have been following Sylvester for a while so we know how he fights,” Loew said. “Billy is in great shape. He is ready to win the title. The fans can expect a huge surprise on Saturday.”

Lyell was originally booked to face Bruce Rumbolz (22-19) as the main event of tonight’s card at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, W.Va.

Lyell’s manager, Pat Nelson, said it’s about time his fighter got a title shot.

“I always tell them, if someone has to cancel, Billy is in shape, at weight and has a passport,” Nelson said. “You’ve got to have those three things.

“And he’s world ranked, so that’s the fourth thing you need,” Nelson said. “He’s always ready to go.”