Explosive fighter Joe Laws wanted rounds with “tough lads” and he might just have got his wish.
None of the 24-year-old Newcastle prospect’s bouts, thus far, have reached the final bell but Saturday’s fourth appearance may alter that star.
Laws will take on the man they call ‘Duck Boy’, Michael Williams, on the New Kidz on the Block show in Houghton on Saturday.
His Leicestershire opponent has made staying the distance his speciality just as the ‘Benwell Bomber’ has made a tear up his stock-in-trade.
Laws has taken the violent approach in each of his three contests with exciting results following, none more so than last time out in Newcastle back in October.
The Matchroom show was beset by one-sided ‘contests’ but not in the case of Laws v Truman and the pair had the crowd on their feet with a thrilling confrontation.
Laws chucked everything at the Birmingham fighter and only in the last dId the Brummie house topple.
“That was a good test and it was a good fight,” explained Laws.
“Chris Truman is no journeyman, you just have to look at his record.
“It was a great fight for the crowd, I made mistakes but I got the job done.”
He certainly did and it will be interesting to watch how he goes about tackling Williams.
Laws has had some time off too after some minor surgery on a hand problem, an occupational hazard for boxers.
“I’ve had to clear a few injuries up and had an operation on my knuckles,” he said.
“I feel refreshed and I just want to get back in there.”
Laws will have his coach and mentor, Graeme Rutherford, in his corner and success for ‘The Bomber’ will complete a good week for ‘Mr Birtley ABC’ after three of his boxers, the McCormack twins, and Mark Dickinson, all won gold at an international amateur tournament in Finland. Laws and Rutherford are pictured above celebrating Joe’s win over Truman.
“He’s the same old Graeme, pushing me to the limits,” smiled the light-welter. “He’s a great coach because he knows his boxers inside out.
“We’ve worked together for years now and he’s the best.”
Laws is joined on the 10-fight card by two other Phil Jeffries-promoted Geordies.
Dean Laing, who trains under Owen Reay at the O’Tooles gym in Newcastle, has a tasty-looking contest with Yorkshire’s ‘Pocklington Rocket’, Harry Matthews.
Terence Wilkinson, part of Davy Ritson’s Forest Hall empire, is still awaiting an opponent.
Completing the Tyneside contingent is heavyweight, Jone Volau, who meets Sheffield’s David Howe.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
