Phil Jeffries has crossed the Tyne to further strengthen his Wearside boxing stable.
The Sunderland manager and promoter has signed two Geordies, Joe Laws and Terry Wilkinson, while also getting comeback man Lynden Watt to put his name on the dotted line.
All three will box at the Summer Rumble in Sunderland on Sunday, July 1, when another Newcastle fight figure, Steve Wraith, will come on board in a further red & white/ black & white alliance.
“I’m over the moon with these three signings,” Jeffries told punch-lines.
“All three will box at the Stadium of Light on July 1st, I can’t wait.
“I’m looking forward to working with Steve as well.
“We’ve worked together before successfully and I’m sure we will here.”
Jeffries is currently the man with the midas touch in the North-East.
He already boasts Newcastle’s finest, Lewis Ritson, as one of his exciting camp, along with Commonwealth light-welterweight champ, Glenn Foot.
“It’s not a bad time for two Newcastle lads turning pro is it?” said Jaffa.
“Joe and Terry are good fighters, with great amateur pedigrees.”
Laws, from Benwell, is exciting with a capital E. This reporter watched the Birtley ABC crowd pleaser’s Tyne, Tees & Wear welterweight quarter-final at the England Elite championship in Seaton Carew with Bobby Dalton.
The U69 kilo scrap was worth the admission money alone.
“Joe is great to watch,” said Jeffries. “He’s been coached by Graeme Rutherford at Birtley and will continue to be trained there which speaks volumes.”
Light-welterweight Wilkinson, from Walker, is a stablemate of Ritson at Forest Hall, where he has been trained by Lewis’s dad, Davy.
“Terry’s another cracking lad,” added Jeffries. “He’s been a good junior who has carried it into the seniors.”
Watt will be back in action for the first time in three years since losing to Sam Best at the 2015 Summer Rumble.
Formerly managed by Michael Marsden, the super-middleweight from Castle Eden is looking forward to his ring return.
“Lynden’s been working hard at Davey Binns’ gym in Peterlee for some time now and he can’t wait to get back in there,” said Jaffa.
Words: Roy Kelly
