Josh Leather-Glenn Foot 2. It’s on, or is it?
The British Boxing Board of Control have set the ball rolling by ordering this mouth-watering confrontation for the British light-welterweight title after Jack Catterall vacated the belt.
It is 151 days since the North-East rivals met for the IBF European title, Leather winning a disputed points decision in the Tees-Wear derby in Newcastle.
The Board have invited purse bids with a cut-off point of Wednesday, May 9.
The BBBC have ordered the contest to take place by the end of August.
Don’t anyone ever slag off the Board again because they have played a blinder here. The only problem is, will the fight the fans want to see, certainly those from the red and white corner of the region, actually happen?
Foot wants it, no question about it.
“Well I can’t wait for this,” said the Sunderland hard case. “[It’s] about time I get my revenge on Leather, we’ll see how he performs this time.”
Foot has been desperate to avenge that most bitter of defeats ever since referee Steve Gray hoisted Leather’s arm at the Metro Radio Arena.
All three judges went with Leather, Beat Hausammann had it a tight 113-112, but there was daylight on the cards of Gerhard Sigl (115-110) and Dave Parris (114-111).
The defeat, far from deflating Foot (pictured) has invigorated the 30-year-old, from Marley Pots.
Since losing to Leather, the Phil Jeffries and Dave Binns fighter has won the vacant Commonwealth title with an incredible performance in Glasgow, stopping the previously-unbeaten Jason Easton in the 11th round at the SSE Hydro.
But, since that November night, Leather has been inactive. Or certainly in terms of the ring.
He and brother, Kalam, have ended their association with coach, Imram Naeem, to move to Swansea, where they are training under the tutelage of Gary Lockett.
Josh had been due to box for the first time for the Welshman on Saturday, April 28, only to withdraw from the South Shields show.
While Foot-Leather is a match to savour for the fans and ‘The Hammer’ it is a bout which could carry too great a risk factor for the talented Teessider.
Leather is handily-placed in the International Boxing Federation’s ratings at 12 and given a top 15 slot allows a fighter to box for the world title, he may not want to jeopardize that.
The 26-year-old, from Guisborough, is one of Frank Warren’s up and coming stars and the legendary British fight figure may opt to stay on the IBF route.
One thing is for sure, there will be no shortage of promoters wanting to stage it, with Matchroom and Cyclone potential bidders.
Let’s dream it will happen and thank you BBBC.
Words: Roy Kelly. Picture: Jennifer Charlton
