Not that long ago they were arch-rivals.
Now watch out for them announcing their engagement!
Forgive the slight exaggeration, OK, major exaggeration, but how good to see the North-East’s principal promoters Phil Jeffries and Steve Wraith (alphabetical order) at peace and not war. It can only be good for boxing in the area.
A bond was re-forged at the Matchroom press conference for the Newcastle June 16 show when Eddie Hearn had Jeffries and Wraith on the top table.
Punch-lines reported that the pair, who have worked together before, would join forces at the Stadium of Light for the Summer Rumble on Sunday, July 1.
And now Wraith today announced they had booked the Lancastrian Suite in Dunston on September 8.
It is surely great news for North-East boxers and supporters.
For too long if you’ve been going to boxing up here, it’s been either to a Jaffa show or a Wraith show, though it has to be noted that others have promoted, like Fighting Chance and Mark Clauzel, while Matty Jones put on a wee cracker at Scotswood at the back end of last year.
However, to be attending a Jeffries AND Wraith event should be good for all concerned.
The attendances for the North-East promotions at South Shields and Houghton this year prove the appetite IS there.
This reporter knows the Central Area is a bigger belt, if you forgive the pun, but there seems to be a show every week there.
I’m not saying there should be a show every week here in the North-East but certainly more regular would be nice.
More fights are needed and more 50-50 fights too, customers should get value for money if they are parting with 35 quid plus.
Jaffa has not been shy at putting on 50-50s or derbies and the Wraith show at Darlington on Saturday, May 26 has two of those on as Ellis Corrie faces Basi Razak and Richard O’Neill meets Greg O’Neil.
North-East boxing is in great nick, Glenn Foot, Josh Kelly, Lewis Ritson and Tommy Ward all have titles and are on the cusp of bigger ones.
They are big arena/ stadium fighters now but there is a ton of talent below that level (like Joe Maphosa pictured above) and how nice it would be to see more of them. The Jeffries/ Wraith ‘engagement’ surely can only spell good news for the fight game.
Words: Roy Kelly
