Ambition. It’s at the front end of a dictionary and it’s something which should be at the front of any self-respecting fighter’s mind.
There is a lot of ambition about in the North-East, where many of our boxers are on the verge of doing something really big.
And the A-word is very much in evidence at the Peterlee gym of Dave Binns, which houses a quintet of undefeated boxers.
Two put their unbeaten tags very much on the line in the coming weeks – first Darren Surtees takes part in the exciting Golden Contract tournament in London on Friday, November 22 before Tom Hill attempts to win the vacant Northern Area welterweight title three Fridays later on December 13.
It’s some fight as Redcar’s ‘One Bomb’ tackles Darlington’s ‘2 Cool’, Ellis Corrie at Rainton Meadows Arena.
Hill has been champing at the bit for some time as Binns explained the need to get off the cycle of journeyman, journeyman, journeyman
“You face a danger of stagnating,” he told punch-lines.
“You could have four fights a year on North-East shows if you want, but it does not mean you are advancing.
“Tom wants to move forward and, like Darren, he’s putting himself in a position where he could lose.
“But until you try you don’t know.
“Tom’s looking really well and a win would move him forward towards English title level, he’s ambitious to progress.
“If you are not aiming for fights like that then you are wasting your time in the pro game.
“I’m not knocking the local circuit, Jaffa’s put on some mint shows, but what’s the point in a boxer just beating journeymen?
“You might rack up 10 fights unbeaten but it does not advance your standing or your chances of improving.”
You could not accuse Corrie of taking the easy route.
The 22-year-old, managed by one half of the promotion team at Houghton, Steve Wraith, and trained by Pete Shepperson, has not been afraid to step out of the comfort zone.
His record of three wins, a draw and defeat leaves him some way shy of Hill, whose log is a perfect 8-0, but the bout looks too close to call.
It is one of eight contests, with Steve Cooper, Alex Farrell, April Hunter, Joe Maphosa, Jeff Nesham, Lawrence Osueke and Michael Webster all booked to appear.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Stockton & Billingham Life
