The North-East is on tenterhooks for the title assaults of Lewis Ritson and Glenn Foot in just six weeks time.
Wednesday’s big media conference only served to whet the appetite for Ritson’s challenge for the vacant European lightweight championship against Francesca Patera while two belts are on the line when Foot tackles Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Junior for the British and Commonwealth light-welterweight straps.
But (there’s always a but, isn’t there?) there is the no-so-small matter of a couple of other Tyneside shows before the Sky Sports cameras roll into Toon.
First up, it’s the ‘No Place to Hide’ bill at Dunston, where the highlight is the North-East derby between two undefeated neighbours as Newcastle’s Kris Pilkington comes up against Gateshead-trained Crimdon prospect Jay Hughes (pictured above left with coach Gary Barr and MTK team-mate Darren Reay on the right).
There is a second local argument as Pilkington’s Jobes Gym comrade, Zaki Shirzad, makes his pro debut in the Lancastrian Suite against Darlington’s Adam Hutchinson, who is boxing for the fourth occasion but the first time since losing to a young Gavin McDonnell in 2011.
Fans will get the treat of seeing the fifth pro outing for another undefeated Tyneside, Lawrence Osueke, who has looked a million dollars since ‘turning over’.
No opponent has been announced yet for the Steve Wraith-managed former Team GB man, nor for Ferryhill hitman, Kyle Redfearn.
However, the other unbeaten North-East fighters do know their opponents.
Spennymoor’s Chad Ellis, chasing his fourth win, meets Chris Jenkinson (Bolton), while Redcar’s Peterlee-trained Joe Hill has a tricky test against Manchester’s Sam Omidi, who fought Foot at the Metro Radio Arena in June.
Newcastle’s Dean Laing boxes for the first time in the North-East after four appearance (three wins and a defeat) in the Greater Manchester area. He tackles Surrey’s Richard Harrison, one of only two fighters to hear the final bell against Redfearn.
Northumberland’s Darren Reay faces the seasoned Syrian-born campaigner Youssef Al Hamidi over four rounds.
For tickets, contact any of the boxers or go to www.proboxingnewcastlegateshead.com
Words: Roy Kelly
