No lash, no takeaways. Just what is going on?
Joe Laws is looking a million dollars already less than four weeks shy of fight night. Which is just as well because is as about to perform on the two huge up-coming events within a mile of each other in his home city of Newcastle.
First up will be a first six-rounder on the MTK show at the Newcastle Eagles Community Arena on Scotswood Road on Saturday, September 28.
Fast forward three weeks and it will be the Matchroom promotion down the road at the Utilita Arena on Saturday, October 19, when Eddie Hearn stages Bad Blood, headlined by Lewis Ritson v Robbie Davies.
It means a manic time for the undefeated Benwell Bomber and his ‘Bomb Squad’.
But when punch-lines caught up with the 25-year-old we found the unbeaten Phil Jeffries-managed welter star in amazing shape after a great period in the Wallsend Boxing Academy gym under coach Nik Gittus.
“No lash, no takeaways, just straight back into training,” reported Laws ahead of his seventh pro contst. “I wanted to keep improving, keep getting better.
“I feel ready now and there are still four weeks to go.”
Laws is looking for an impressive Toon double as a springboard for a move up towards the championship scene.
“I’m looking to get to eight and 0 from these two shows and maybe squeezing another one in for the end of 2019, possibly an eight-rounder,” explained the former Birtley ABC star.
“In 2020 I’d like to be fighting for titles, but, saying that, I’m in no mad rush.
“I have great sponsors, no house, no wife, no kids etc, I’m just keeping it at my pace.
“But if the chance comes then I’ll take it, if Connor Benn wants to step up and fight me next year then I’ll take it in a heartbeat.”
Benn is currently rated nine in the British ratings after 15 straight wins and clearly would not be a bad scalp to take. What a fight too.
It is great to see Laws so ambitious but also still looking very much himself.
When he arrived at the Newcastle Civic Centre for Matchroom media conference he was decked out in cap, vest and shorts.
“I’m just being me,” he smiled. “You see people putting on suits and trying to be all professional, but that’s not me. I never wear suits!
“I just rock up in my shorts and vest!”
Laws does his best work in his shorts and will be getting stuck in come September 28.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
