It’s showtime, as the great Jimmy Lennon Jnr would say.
Tonight’s the night for the first major show MTK have promoted in the North-East and the boxing debut of the magnificent Newcastle Eagles Community Arena.
Mack the Knife, who staged a good dinner show in Gateshead in December, cross the Tyne into Newcastle for a 11-fight card, featuring eight boxers from our part of the world.
An intriguing WBO European super-bantamweight title contest headlines the bill as undefeated MTK star Tyrone McCullagh makes the maiden defence of the belt against Alvaro Rodriguez.
Spain’s 112lb champion could not lay a glove on the brilliant Tommy Ward when he was in the region last July when the pair contested the IBF’s European strap. Hopefully, he’ll give it a go against the Irishman.
Not nearly enough is seen of Troy Williamson in the North-East, but fans can see a future British champion perform this evening, when he meets Ionut Trandafir Ilie.
The undefeated Darlington middleweight only got into round two of his last appearance when he thumped Kevin McCauley to defeat on a Frank Warren show. But the France-based Romanian, a former challenger for the lesser-thought-of WBF title, should take him further.
Another class act is Lawrence Osueke, who looks to extend his 100 per cent run to eight bouts against Tayer Mehmed over six rounds. Like, ‘Trojan’, the Newcastle light-heavy looks destined for glory.
Middlesbrough’s John Green is involved one of the most competitive affairs of the bill. Three contests into his comeback, he is matched with Tamworth’s give-it-a-bash Josh Baillie.
Another one to watch tonight is the cruiser/heavy Tyne Tees ‘V’ confrontation between Jone Volau and Simon Vallily.
Much could depend on which Vallily turns up. He was heading for the English cruiserweight title in Newcastle last June before throwing it away late on and only drawing against Arfan Iqbal while the Middlesbrough fighter was stopped last time out by Craig Glover.
As for Volau, the Paul Charters-trained crowd favourite is making a move to cruiser and will see this six-rounder as a chance to make a statement.
Unbeaten Newcastle talent Joe Laws makes his fifth paid appearance and we may have to say a prayer for Geiboord Omier, his Nicaraguan-born, Spanish-based opponent.
Laws, roared on by a huge ‘Bomb Squad’ could apply some heavy artillery.
MTK Gateshead stars, as you would expect, feature significantly at the Eagles Community Arena and three unbeaten men take to the square ring.
Trimdon’s Jay Hughes, the most advanced of the trio, on seven wins, is up against Ivan Godor, from Slovakia, while Spennymoor’s Chad Ellis (6-0) will have to be on his mettle against Fonz Alexander. The Fonz does not have the best of records but his stoppage win of unbeaten Londoner Jack Newham back in October in the capital is a reminder the Newark journeyman is no dummy.
Bedlington’s Darren Reay (4-0-1), moving towards Northern Area title territory, will want no slip ups against overseas opposition, from Eligio Palacios.
MTK team-mate Adam Gair will make his eagerly anticipated professional debut against Pawel Strykowski. Gair, trained in Peterlee by David Binns, looks a good prospect but the Pole can’t be underestimated with his two pro wins coming against debutants.
The card is completed by a Newcastle derby between Nurtas Azhbenov and Boris Shikunov. Forgive my little joke, this international four-round light-welter scrap looks more than OK, on paper at any rate.
Azhbenov, from Kazakhstan, has four wins from four while NE fight fans might recall his Russian opponent for clinching a deserved draw with Darren Reay in Dunston last year.
Should be a good night.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
