One of the North-East’s brightest boxing talents is joining the professional ranks.
Darlington’s multi-title winner, Ben Marksby, will work under a new pro coaching set-up, Tenacity Boxing, made up of well-known and highly-respected amateur trainers, Anth Kelly and John Stubbs, while being managed by North-West fight figure Steve Wood of VIP Promotions.
It is hoped the 21-year-old former Phil Thomas School of Boxing and Darlington ABC star could make his paid debut as early as June once his switch has been confirmed by the British Boxing Board of Control.
The transfer of Marksby, son of Darlington ABC coach Andy, from the amateur to professional game is exciting news, not just for his hometown, but for the whole region, with the lightweight set to train out of Hartlepool and Sunderland.
“Ben has a really good amateur background,” Stubbs told punch-lines.
“He wants to be a world champion – no young boxer thinks of anything less when setting off on the professional road.
“Ben’s an incredible talent with six national titles and just 10 defeats in 91 bouts.
“Me and Anth are excited to be working with him.
“I’m good friends with his dad and I wasn’t sure if Andy was being serious when he said ‘do you want to coach Ben?’.
“He was and me and Anth are looking to make Ben the best version of what he can be in our new pro stable – he certainly has the talent to go as far as he wants to go.
“Ben had an amazing junior career but has only had one senior bout.
“I think his dad wanted him to have a full season as a senior but the pandemic has put paid to that.
“While the amateur boxing gyms will be opening again on Monday, I think we’ll be looking at September to be boxing again, if we’re lucky, so I think going pro now was a sensible decision.
“He’s ambitious and talented and Tenacity Boxing are delighted to be working with him.”
The lack of senior experience should not be seen as any sort of hindrance – just a look up the road to Tommy Ward is evidence of that.
Ward never bothered with adult boxing and the Dave Garside and Neil Fannan boxer stands unbeaten after 30 bouts and in the top 10 of two of the major world governing bodies.
Throw in the fact Marksby has already taken part in some top-notch sparring with unbeaten Jamie Moore-trained prospect, Aqib Fayiz, who he defeated in the amateurs, and Ben’s move away from the amateur scene does not look a bad call.
Nor does his decision to link up with Wood, a respected boxing manager and promoter in his own right and with good connections to the top promotion companies, like Matchroom. The fact the Manchester man (pictured right with hios new signing) is boss of Josh Warrington speaks for itself.
Ben is the first professional for Stubbs and Kelly, each a top-rated amateur coaches, John with the Headland club in Hartlepool and Anth with Wearmouth in Sunderland.
Both will continue with their flourishing amateur clubs and it will be interesting to watch Tenacity Boxing’s professional journey with the six-times national champion.
Words: Roy Kelly
