Watch out, there is a new Sand-man on the prowl.
South Shields fighter Chris Grout will make his professional debut on Saturday night at Houghton.
Grout, trained by Dave Binns in Peterlee, faces the man known as ‘Rambo’, at the Rainton Meadows Arena.
Lithuanian giant Dmitrij Kalinovskij is the man in the opposite corner and it’s a clash of size, styles and experience.
‘Rambo’ is 6ft 5in and is boxing for the 48th time, while the ’Sand dancer’ is shorter and, clearly, shorter in terms of ring time.
Binns, who coached decorated Sunderland star Warren Baister, says boxer and trainer have worked hard on adapting his aggressive style.
“Chris has trained well,” Binns told punch-lines.
“He’s shorter and stockier than Warren Baister, but we’ve been working hard to get him ready to face taller, rangier opposition
and things are looking good.
“Chris is aggressive but you can’t just get in and be going nuts.
“When you move up the ratings you get the longer fights, look at Darren Surtees, who’d stopped a lot of people early but he had to go into the later rounds to beat Ross Jameson.
“You can’t go all-power, all-guns-blazing because after four rounds of that your body is telling you it needs a rest!
“Chris will do some great work on the inside but we’ve been trying to make sure he can come out, look after himself and keep his range a little bit better.
“He’s done well in training so I’m looking forward to seeing him in the ring.”
Grout’s East Durham College stablemates, Darren Surtees, Tom and Joe Hill also box with Tommy Ward headlining the Phil Jeffries’ event with a six-rounder against Nicaragua’s Lesther Cantillano.
Unbeaten Teessider Joe Maphosa is in action, along with Geordie trio 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
