COLIN LYNES and Michael Grant are the local hopes chasing the �32,000 victory prize in the latest Matchroom Prizefighter tournament for light-welterweights, booked to take place in the National Hall at London s Olympia on Friday, December 4, writes LEN WH

COLIN LYNES and Michael Grant are the local hopes chasing the �32,000 victory prize in the latest Matchroom Prizefighter tournament for light-welterweights, booked to take place in the National Hall at London's Olympia on Friday, December 4, writes LEN WHALEY.

Lynes, a member of trainer Paul Cook's stable, faces fierce opposition in the tournament, which boasts the strongest lineup so far in Matchroom's successful Prizefighter series.

Ex-WBA World Champion Gavin Rees, from Wales, is among the eight leading light-welterweights named, alongside Ted Bami and Jason Cook who, like Lynes, who have all held European belts.

Former British title-holders David Barnes and Barry Morrison will also be vying for the �32,000 winner's cheque, while Southern Area Champion Lee Purdy and unbeaten Newham-based Grant also eye the big prize.

"It's a great list of entries," said trainer Cook, "but I think Colin has the ability to come through a winner."

Fight-wise, Lynes knows he's taking a gamble, aiming to bounce back after suffering three straight defeats in title bouts, losing a highly controversial decision to Gianluca Branco, when he defended his European title in Turin last year.

A home defeat against Irishman Paul McCloskey at Dagenham's Goresbrook Centre cost Lynes his British crown, before his bold bid to regain the European title against Souleymane M'Baye in Paris in July, which ended when he was again voted the loser in a close contest.

Lynes clearly has the appetite for action, saying: "It's fantastic. The Prizefighter competition has become really popular and this seems to be the best line-up they've had. It'll be tough, but I'm really looking forward to it.

"The purse is great, but I want to get back fighting at that level. I know that if I can win this series, I'll be back in title contention in the new year."

Also booked for the event is prospect Grant, a classy light-welterweight based at Newham's Ultrachem TKO Gym, with 12 wins and a draw from his 13 bouts so far.

The 25-year-old Grant faces a busy month, for on November 6 he is due to face unbeaten Merseysider Steve Williams for the vacant English light-welterweight championship in Ireland and looks to come through to stake his challenge for Prizefighter glory.