Heavyweight boxing is just a week away from what promises to be one of its biggest nights ever when Anthony Joshua attempts to regain the world titles lost to Andy Ruiz.
The December 7 ‘Clash on the Dunes’ features a raft of heavyweight matches and here in the North-East, there will be no shortage of big fellas in this region’s penultimate show of 2019.
Phil Jeffries and Steve Wraith have two heavies in action on the undercard of the Ellis Corrie v Tom Hill showdown for the Northern Area welterweight title at Houghton on Friday, December 13, not to mention an unbeaten cruiser.
Simon Vallily and comeback man, Rob Ismay, will fight on the event, along with up-and-coming Teessider, Michael Webster.
Vallily had been due to fight for the English heavyweight the following weekend in London but scheduled opponent, Fabio Wardley, has pulled out leaving the Middlesbrough fighter free.
That has prompted Jeffries to add the former Commonwealth Games gold medalist to the show.
“It’s gutting for Simon to have the lad pull out of their championship fight,” Jaffa told pumch-lines. “But it’s good to be able to get him on our Rainton Meadows show.
“Fans love to see the heavyweights and love the knock-outs.
“Simon has had an exciting year since he moved up to heavyweight and has had three stoppage wins in a row.
“He will be looking to make it four here on our show.”
Ismay is back in the square ring for the first time in six years.
The Geordie won all eight professional appearances during his spell boxing out of the Neil Fannan gym in Hartlepool but has been out since 2013.
He now boxes out of the in-form Wallsend Boxing Academy, where the likes of April Hunter, Joe Laws, Lawrence Osueke and Jeff Saunders are based.
“Izzy’s a very good fighter and he’s looking forward to getting back in,” added Jeffries. “Michael Webster has had two good wins this year since turning pro so I’m looking forward to seeing him box again.”
The three big lads are part of a 10-bout show which is headlined by Corrie v Hill and also featuring Alex Farrell, Hunter, Joe Maphosa, Jeff Nesham, Anth Ornsby and Mark Taylor.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Stockton & Billingham Life
