It’s almost time to Rumble!
Of course, the not-so-small matter of the Josh Kelly and Lewis Ritson show at the Metro Radio Arena is the talk of North-East boxing.
Kelly, from Sunderland, has a double title assignment on Saturday, June 16, defending his WBA International welterweight strap, while trying to wrest the Commonwealth title from Kris George, from Australia. New Newcastle hero Ritson can win the Lonsdale Belt outright if he defends the British lightweight championship for the third time, against Paul Hyland Jnr.
Three of the North-East’s most senior fighters, Stuart Hall, Anthony Nelson and Simon Vallily also chase titles on Matchroom’s bumper bill.
However, just two weekends after Newcastle’s fight night, it’s the turn of Sunderland to take the spotlight.
Wearside fight figure Phil Jeffries hosts his eighth Summer Rumble at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, July 1, when Newcastle promoter, Steve Wraith, links up with him in a red & white and black & white collaboration.
And they have summoned some of the best young talent in the region to Sunderland’s ground, with the nine-contest event featuring two debuts.
Exciting Joe Laws, a successful amateur with Birtley (pictured above), has signed for Jeffries, alongside fellow Newcastle lad, Terry Wilkinson, who comes out of Davy Ritson’s Forest Hall gym.
They will both be stepping into the pro ring for the first time.
And they will be joined at the Stadium of Light by a clutch of bright young talents who have only just begun their journeys.
Luke Cope, the latest in the line of the Hartlepool band of brothers to box as a pro, has his second bout following a sparkling debut in Darlington, where he outpointed Naheem Chaudry.
His team-mate at Imran Naeem’s Stockton gym, Terry Tyers, will make his third appearance on the Sunday afternoon spectacular.
Teesside is represented by the Dave Binns-trained Hill brothers, Joe boxing for the second time and Tom ‘One Bomb’ having his fourth contest.
Two undefeated Geordies are on the cast list, middleweight Chris Atkinson having is second bout and Kris Pilkington his fourth.
The experienced hand on the bill turns out to be Darren Surtees who is still only 23! Thornley’s ‘Dazzla’ is making a much-anticipated return after a year out.
Trained by the esteemed Binns in Peterlee, Surtees has not boxed since stopping Ross Jamson to be crowned Northern Area light-welterweight champion in May, 2017.
Words: Roy Kelly
