When Darren Surtees and Kieran Gething were first matched, it looked a terrific scrap.
A day or three (or 300) behind schedule it still does and this fight WILL take place in Cardiff on Saturday, March 14.
‘Beaten’ quarter-finalists in November’s Golden Contract light-welterweight tournament in Bethnal Green, this Wales v England showdown provides a silver lining to the two 25-year-olds.
Already a brilliant concept, one of the beauties of the MTK competition was that those unsuccessful in the first stage were not cast aside, they were guaranteed another bout and pay-day against a fellow quarter-final loser.
It means Surtees (pictured right with Josh Taylor) and Gething will finally collide at the Vale Sports Centre – punch-lines says finally because they were scheduled to meet last May in a British title eliminator in Newcastle last May, only for the Welshman to pull out.
It had been anticipated that the consolation ties would go ahead on semi-final night but, instead, this one is staged in Kieran’s neck of the woods at the Vale Arena.
While it’s not ideal for ‘Dazzla’ to be in the away corner it’s hardly the end of the world – given the promise shown by the East Durham College-based boxer in his short but explosive quarter-final defeat to Mohamed Mimoune.
Thornley’s stoppage specialist put the European champion on his pants in the first round and while he was stopped inside five there was enough to suggest a bright future for the former Northern Area champion.
Coach Dave Binns said: “Darren is up for this.
“When we signed up for the Golden Contract we knew, even if Darren lost that he would get another bout or two.
“While we expected the next contest to be on the night of the semis, the Golden Contract featherweight and light-welter will now be on the same show and that couldn’t house our fight.
“Darren is happy to go to Cardiff – he wants to get back in position [where he is challenging for honours].
“He was flat after the defeat to Mimoune and could see no positives, but one thing he’s said to me is ‘I’m not going to lose again’.
“Darren’s responded very well and been absolutely superb in the gym – he did 10 good rounds last night.”
Gethin will feel desperately unfortunate to even be in this position.
The judges could not separate him and Jeff Ofori after their Golden Contract confrontation at the York Hall, scoring it a draw. It meant Kieran McCann in Simon Cowell style ended up with the casting vote and the referee awarded it to the Londoner.
It means Gething, who has won nine and drawn two of his 13 appearances, and Surtees (12-1) will have plenty of fire in their bellies.
It should make for some fight at the Vale Arena.
Words: Roy Kelly
