Three Geordies and a Mackem. It’s not the start of a joke.
Tyneside trio James Conlon, Kris Pilkington and Mark Taylor will tonight take to the ring at Rainton Meadows Arena … for Phil Jeffries.
The Wearside fight figure hosts his first promotion of the year at his favourite venue where eight fights are staged.
“I’m not bothered where the boxers are from as long as they can fight,” said Jaffa.
“These fellas are at the start of the professional journey but I’m excited to be putting them on my show.
“I always used to be able to have a joke with the Geordies in recent years about Sunderland and Newcastle because of the derby results.
“I have to be a bit quieter about the football now!
“I’m over the moon to have Lewis Ritson who will be one of the guests of honour at the show along with Glenn Foot.
“I’ve had British and Commonwealth title wins on successive weekends and I’m really looking forward to tonight.”
Conlan, the Newcastle middleweight, will be making his debut against Irishman Casey Blair over four rounds and there is Northern Ireland opposition for Pilkington, who is boxing for the third time. The 29-year-old, from Gateshead, who has a win and draw on his log, is up against Belfast’s Alec Bazza.
Newcastle’s Mark Taylor, chasing his second victory, has the very wily and highly-experienced Kevin McCauley as his foe this evening.
The show has taken a heavy blow with the 11th hour loss of the Darren Surtees-Jordan Grannum bout.
Thornley’s Northern Area champ has not received the go-ahead from the British Boxing Board of Control following his recent medical checks.
Surtees tweeted to say there was “nothing to worry about” but he’s been blocked from boxing.
It would have been his first contest in 10 months and his wait must now, sadly, go on.
Tickets are available on the door for the show headlined by Tommy Ward.
Doors open at 6.30pm.
Words: Roy Kelly
