Darren Surtees is being tipped for a rapid ascent up the title ladder.
The 23-year-old returns to action on Saturday night when he faces London tough guy Jordan Grannum at the Rainton Meadows Arena.
This six-rounder, on Phil Jeffries’ opening show of 2018 will be the Thornley star’s first contest in 10 months since stopping Ross Jameson to win the Northern Area light-welterweight championship in the same Houghton ring.
That success was the highlight of an amazing start to his professional career – seven straight victories with five early.
Illness and injury have since got in the way of the hard hitter who trains under the in-form Dave Binns at the East Durham College in Peterlee, where the pair are pictured above.
A tasty collieries derby with Anth Hardy and an even tastier clash with Blackpool’s Adam Little have both fallen through but his return is well and truly on.
“There is no doubt Dazzla is on his way to the top,” said promoter Jeffries. “He was supposed to box on the World Super Series show at Liverpool in September but had to pull out.
“But he’s fully recovered and fit now and Binnsy has been pleased with his hew’s looking. He’s a very exciting fighter and a great finisher, so I’m confident he’ll go a long, long way.
“Saturday’s fight is not easy, his opponent has had 20-odd fights and never been stopped.”
Darren’s stablemates, Tom and Joe Hill are also on the bill, with Joe making his prone debut, while Tommy Ward tops the bill with a six-rounder against Nicaragua’s Lesther Cantillano.
Unbeaten Teessider Joe Maphosa is in action, along with Geordie triumvirate James Conlon, Kris Pilkington and Mark Taylor.
Tickets are available from the boxers or on the door. Doors open at 6.30pm.
Words: Roy Kelly
