CAMDEN'S Martin Power is adamant he will avenge his only professional defeat when he meets Commonwealth bantamweight champion Tshifhiwa Munyai at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham next Friday. When the pair met last June at York Hall, Bethnal Green

CAMDEN'S Martin Power is adamant he will avenge his only professional defeat when he meets Commonwealth bantamweight champion Tshifhiwa Munyai at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham next Friday.

When the pair met last June at York Hall, Bethnal Green, Munyai, a late replacement for Ian Napa, forced Power's corner to stop the fight in the ninth round to save British champion Power from permanent damage.

However, Power was furious with promoter Frank Maloney's decision at the time and is out for revenge. "It was a ridiculous stoppage - I was tired but not hurt," Power exclusively told Ham&High Sport.

"When I got caught in the ninth round of my previous fight with Napa I was hurt. But not against the African (Munyai).

"I underestimated Munyai the last time we fought and I had also prepared to fight a different kind of opponent. This time I've had nine weeks' notice and I just want to correct the result.

"I was offered other fights by my promoter but this is the one I wanted. I've put my desire to win the Lonsdale belt to one side because I feel I have to correct my mistake.

"My training has been going well. I've been sparring 10 rounders with a couple of tall sparring partners, one of them from Norway.

I've also stayed in London this time to prepare instead of going to our usual training camp in Tenerife. I wanted to get some useful sparring against taller guys like Munyai."

Power, who has won 19 of his 20 professional fights, was set to fight Napa in the third defence of his British title.

When the Hackney fighter pulled out Power agreed to take on Munyai - for the vacant Commonwealth crown- to save the show but found the African a difficult opponent.

"Munyai can offload some nice long shots but this time I will be a lot fitter and more able to bob and weave," said Power.

"I can't see him troubling me this time."

However, Maloney initially was not keen on the rematch and explained: "Martin and his trainer asked for the fight personally, against advice from me. They feel that with the right training over a proper period of time, they have the beating of Munyai."

However, Munyai, who returned to England later last year to hammer Commonwealth super flyweight champion Lee Haskins into submission, is confident of repeating the win.

"When I fought Power before it was on one week's notice and this time I've had a lot more time to get ready.

"I know what style he'll use and I don't think he can improve. This time I'll do a quicker job on him. I'm coming to England to win and by the end of 2007, I want to fight for a world title.

"I look forward to coming back to England again. I've got a lot of fans there and it is like a second home to me now."

pat.mooney@hamhigh.co.uk