MTK will be staging a 14-fight bill when they hit the North-East on Saturday February 29.
The headline contest at the Newcastle Eagles Community Arena, the ‘Ellis’ Northern Area Championship derby looks an absolute belter as Ellis Corrie defends his welterweight belt against Chad Ellis.
Some of the North-East’s premier talent are in action, including ‘Benwell Bomber Joe Laws, Thornaby’s Joe Maphosa, Sedgefield’s Jeff Saunders, and Darlington’s IBF European light-middle champ Troy Williamson, who have 43 wins between them and no losses.
Sadly, one of the card’s better-looking bouts has gone the journey after April Hunter’s opponent, the hard-hitting Hungarian, Kamilla Boka was taken ill.
But the contest which has caught the eye of punch-lines is the one involving the man known as ‘One Bomb’.
Tom Hill is back in the ring after suffering his first defeat last time out against Corrie in December and his return is no walkover.
Redcar’s popular welterweight, part of the Dave Binns stable in Peterlee, is matched with something of a dangerman, Serge Ambomo.
The 33-year-old was one of the five members of Cameroon’s Olympic team at London 2012 who left the team village to seek political asylum.
Based in Sheffield, the pocket battleship has lost more than he’s won, but his 7-18-2 record does not tell the full story.
The majority of his appearances have come against either unbeaten fighters or hometown heroes.
He’s upset a record or two, including stopping an unbeaten American at the York Hall last June.
Hill (pictured right against Corrie in Houghton last December) though is happy to have a dangerman as opposed to a journeyman.
“No disrespect to the lads I’ve boxed before but I didn’t want to be coming back fighting at that level,” said the 24-year-old. “I want to box someone who will cause me problems.
“Part of learning is having tough fights.
“Boxing people who come and don’t throw punches can cause complacency.”
Hill was speaking to the excellent British Boxing Blog, an interview in which he called for a re-match with Corrie, assuming the champion makes a successful defence against Ellis on February 29.
“What happened happened,” he said. “It’s pointless me making excuses, we just want to get back on the horse.
“I promise if he boxes me again I will put him out, he’s really not at my level.
“No one expected him to win that night, not even him.
“Hopefully he comes through this one because I want him after that.”
Click here for Tom’s full interview on British Boxing Blog.
A re-match is an exciting prospect but Tom must account for the former Olympian first.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
