Isaac Macleod has been handed the chance to win one of British boxing’s biggest prizes.
The unbeaten Sunderland fighter, boasting nine straight victories, has been included in the maiden Ultimate Boxxer in Manchester on Friday, April 27.
It is a re-birth/re-hash of the Prizefighter competition which was such a popular feature on Sky Sports and staged by Matchroom.
Ultimate Boxxer is a new concept which has been endorsed by ex-world champions Anthony Crolla, Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi.
The UB franchise had stated their intention to use smaller venues which they would look to fill and create a incredible atmosphere and had hired the Event City auditorium for the welterweight tournament but have now switched the event to the Manchester Arena.
It will be screened on the UNILAD page on Facebook.
Macleod will be one of eight prospects challenging for the first UB title.
The other competitors are:
Kaisee Benjamin
Drew Brown
Jimmy Cooper
Ben Eland
Sam Evans
Andy Kremner
Tom Young.
Between them, the eight total 60 wins, with no defeats.
None are household names but that is the UB strategy as they seek to attract a new generation of fans on top of the hard-core boxing supporter.
Whatever the strategies of Ultimate Boxxer this is an incredible opportunity for Macleod.
The 23-year-old looked on the verge of a significant step forward back in September when he beat fellow unbeaten prospect, Danny Craven in Liverpool on the debut night of the World Boxing Super Series.
However, he has not boxed since though a proposed English welterweight title match with Conor Benn did not materialise after the Essex boy declined the opportunity.
It has not only been a frustrating period for the Wearsider, but a frustrating career.
Turning pro as a teenager under Frank Warren following a stunning junior career which was highlighted by European gold and World silver, the boxer known as ‘Can Bang’ has had a stop-start run as a pro.
After making his debut at the back end of 2014, he boxed four times in 2015, but only twice in 2016 and 2017.
He’ll be hoping in Manchester he will fight three times in one night and collect the five-digit winner’s cheque.
Words: Roy Kelly
