South Shields has enjoyed success after success on the football field as the Mariners sail through the leagues.
But now it is the turn of the town’s boxers to show they are in a league of their own. Mal Gates sends out his three pocket battleships as Steve Wraith brings top class boxing back to Shields for the first time in four years.
Paul Gidney and Sam Menzies continue their professional journeys while Anthony Nelson resumes his pro career.
“It’s a very exciting night for the boys and the gym,” said Gates.
“We are all proud Shields people and looking forward to a great night.”
Gidney, fresh from a superb performance in Solihull, will launch the entertainment at Temple Park on Saturday.
He will take on London-based Swede, Edward Bjorkland over four rounds.
Gidney will be joined in action by fellow 21-year-old Menzies, who made a successful entrance into the paid ranks in February in Dunston.
Menzies (pictured with coach Gates) will face Sheffield’s Anwar Alfadli over four rounds.
Nelson, who has not boxed since defeat in his maiden Commonwealth title defence, exactly two years ago, has overseas opposition over six rounds as he faces Lithuanian number one Simas Volosinas.
His comeback has excited fans and that excitement has risen a notch this week with the news he will challenge South Londoner, Charlie Edwards, for the vacant WBA Continental super-flyweight title in Newcastle on Saturday, June 16.
The appearance of the Gates triumvirate is just a part of the action with three unbeaten North-East boxers taking to the ring.
Thornaby’s Joe Maphosa is matched with wily Russian Sergey Tasimov, Sedgefield light-welterweight Jeff Saunders chases his 13th pro win against heavy-handed Lithuanian Edvinas Puplauskas.
Light-heavy Lawrence Osueke also has Baltic opposition, Jevgenijs Andrejevs, from Latvia.
Tickets are available from the boxers or can be purchased on the door at Temple Park on Saturday night. Doos pen at 7pm.
Words: Roy Kelly
