Has defeat to Josh Leather, as controversial and bitter as it was, been the best thing that could have happened to Glenn Foot?
No-one enjoys losing but since being outpointed by the IBF European champion in Newcastle last November, ‘The Hammer’ has responded in some style, stopping Edinburgh’s Jason Easton to win the vacant Commonwealth light-welterweight title.
His 11th-round stoppage of the previously-undefeated Scot in Glasgow, screened by Channel 5, has elevated the Sunderland crowd favourite to a new plain.
And the Lonsdale Belt could be the next in the 30-year-old’s collection.
The British Boxing Board of Control have made Foot the mandatory challenger for their light-welterweight championship, currently in the possession of Lancashire’s Jack Catterall.
Purse bids have been invited by the BBBC and must be submitted by noon on Wednesday, April 11, the board ordering that “the contest to take place by the end of July 2018”.
It is further good news for Foot, his manager, Phil Jeffries, and coach, Dave Binns.
That disputed unanimous points defeat to Leather has only served to galvanize Foot.
He was even better against Easton, dominating the Scotland v England showdown at the SSE Hydro, where he was determined to ensure he was not “robbed” again.
However, Catterall would represent a huge challenge to the Marley Pots warrior.
The 24-year-old southpaw, from Chorley, has won all 19 of his pro bouts, stopping 10 of his opponents.
He won the British title last October by outpointing Tyrone Nurse in Leeds, while before then he had taken quite a shine to the World Boxing Organization’s inter-continental title, with seven wins (four early).
A stoppage victor over Tom Stalker back in 2014, Catterall has a world rating of four with the WBO so a triumph for Foot could prove more than just another night of glory for Glenn, it could move him closer to a world title shot.
Who would have thought that after Steve Gray lifted Leather’s arm at the Metro Radio Arena?
Words: Roy Kelly
