A fantastic fight.
That is the assessment of manager and promoter Steve Wraith after the first big North-East show of 2020 was unveiled – and starring a number of his boxers.
One of his stable, Ellis Corrie, will defend his Northern Area championship against undefeated Co Durham fighter Chad Ellis on Saturday, February 29, at the Newcastle Eagles Community Arena.
It will be an eagerly-anticipated DL postcode derby (or National League North in football terms) as Darlington meet Spennymoor.
Chad Ellis has made winning a habit, clocking up nine in a 100 per cent run as a professional and will have home advantage as the MTK boxer on the show promoted by Mack The Knife, who are staging their third event at the Scotswood Road venue.
“We’re very excited,” said Wraith, who manages the Pete Shepperson-trained Corrie.
“Ellis had a brilliant win over Tom Hill at the Rainton Arena last month and we’re looking to continue in the same vein.
“He’s barely had a day off since then – he’s been working hard in the gym with Pete.
“When we spoke in the dressing room after the bout with Tom Hill we knew there were fights out there in the North-East.
“Our camp fancied a match with Joe Laws but we understand he’s going to be fighting at the weight below.
“This is a fantastic fight though and one we’re looking forward to.”
Ellis v Ellis has a nice ring to it, if you forgive the pun, and it’s up there with Hill v Corrie as a potential cracker.
Corrie has boxed only six times but is not shy in terms of either ambition or bottle, travelling away as the opposition for two unbeaten prospects while he was set for an eight-rounder with Basi Razak in only his fourth outing, only for the contest to fall through.
Chad Ellis, meanwhile, has made serene progress under Gary Barr at MTK’s Gateshead premises, last month picking up win number nine in a four-round pre-Christmas cracker with Danny Little.
All nine victories have come via points which means he has a lot of rounds in the bank, 40 to be precise, compared to 26 of the champion.
There is a top line-up on the undercard, which features with Alex Farrell, Adam Gair, Tom Hill, April Hunter, Joe Laws,. Anth Ornsby, Lawrence Osueke, Basi Razak, Steve Robinson and Jeff Saunders.
Words: Roy Kelly
