Forget the Great North Run for now, brace yourself for the Great North Ruck.
It’s almost 24 hours from fight night on the southern bank of the Tyne as Steve Wraith and Phil Jeffries promote an eight-fight bill in Dunston.
There are two derbies at the Lancastrian Suite, plus six other bouts as the North-East season starts with a bang.
Kris Pilkington (2-0-1) is up against Jay Hughes (5-0) in an eagerly-anticipated local dust-up while Zaki Shirzad takes his first professional steps by taking on Darlington’s Adam Hutchinson.
Many eyes will be on unbeaten Lawrence Osueke, who has registered four straight wins in 2018.
He will be out to extend his 100 per cent record against Poland’s Kamil Kulczyk over six rounds. It will be the Katowice 26-year-old’s second visit two the UK, having lost on points to Sebastian Eubank on the Brighton man’s debut in Manchester in February.
It might not be the best time to be a Russian visitor to our great islands, but there is another fascinating six-rounder as Boris Shikunov flies in to face undefeated Darren Reay.
Bedlington Terrier Reay (pictured), boxing out of Gateshead’s MTK HQ, has chalked up three wins but might have his hands full with the 19-year-old southpaw, from Moscow. Shikunov is young, fresh and here on the back of an away win in France 10 weeks ago.
Joe Hill has a tasty-looking tussle with Sam Omidi.
The Redcar 26-year-old has two wins out of two but his Manchester opponent was game against Peterlee team-mate Glenn Foot in Newcastle, so this could be worth close attention.
Spennymoor prospect Chad Ellis is bidding for his fourth pro win against Bolton’s Chris Jenkinson.
Kyle Redfearn has Eastern European opposition in a contest of the kings of KO.
The Ferryhill man has a KO ratio of 67 per cent but opponent Jindrich Valecky’s is even better with 18 of his 19 victories by stoppage.
Dean Laing boxes Richard Harrison for the second time when he faces the Surrey fighter in his first appearance in his native Newcastle.
For tickets, go to www.proboxingnewcastlegateshead.com or contact any of the boxers. Tickets will be available at the venue on Saturday night.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
