ONE is worldly wise and businesslike, the other flamboyant and extroverted to the point that he once changed his name by deed poll in the hope of being noticed, and also posted a clip of himself on YouTube eating a spider.
Willie Limond, whose training programme included running up the steep hills of Glasgow's Southern Necropolis while Mitch Prince sprinted up and down the stairs at Wishaw railway station in an attempt to improve his stamina, would baulk at the idea of indulging in similar publicity stunts.
Yet Limond and his rival – he was known as Prince of Passion before the absurdity of the moniker dawned on him – share certain traits, in addition to their chosen trade as joiners.
Both have an in-bred will to win and the self-belief to offer the promise of an absorbing contest when Limond defends his Commonwealth light-welterweight title at Bellahouston Sports Centre this evening.
Limond required a few seconds short of two minutes to end fellow Glaswegian Eddie Doyle's challenge and win the belt at the St Andrew's Sporting Club five months ago.
The 34-year-old's speedy demolition of the previously undefeated Doyle should have sent shivers down the spine of title hopeful Prince but promoter Tommy Gilmour, who manages both boxers, said yesterday that Limond's 36th career win in 40 starts did not prove a great deal.
He said: "It was all over too quickly. Willie looked good and said that he felt stronger at the weight after suffering his worst loss, to Anthony Crolla, for the British lightweight title but there are a lot of questions still to be answered and it's in the middle rounds of a fight when the character shows.
"If Willie comes through with flying colours he will have several options. He can try again for the British title, but he will also have a European ranking and there is the possibility of a mega-fight with Erik Morales if we can interest TV and a big-money sponsor.
"Mitch was at the Doyle fight and he saw Eddie being caught in the headlights. Willie came into the ring like a man possessed. Mitch has to work out a way to ensure that Limond doesn't do an Eddie on him. If he is successful in doing so, there is the carrot of a fight with Lee McAllister. He has far less experience [than Limond] of the big-time, but each has strengths and it could be an epic if it goes beyond five or six rounds."
Limond had to completely strip off to make the 10st limit whereas Prince weighed in at 9st 12¾lb.
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