Back in the “best city in the world” and back doing what he loves.
That’s Joe Laws, who will kick off Matchroom’s final show on Sky and their first of 2021 in the UK with fans against Chris Adaway in Newcastle.
Only 1,000 are permitted inside the Vertu Motors Arena but the ‘Bomb Squad’ will be in full voice to raise the roof to greet the Benwell Bomber into the ring.
Their support will be welcome and important at the event headlined by Lewis Ritson’s IBF light-welterweight final eliminator with undefeated Argentine, Jeremias Ponce.
Laws lost his 100 per cent record last time out in silence at Peterborough, where he was stopped by the fists of ‘Pintsize Powerhouse’, Rylan Charlton, behind closed doors at the East of England Arena.
But the ebullient 26-year-old is back and up for it. As if Lawsy could be anything else?
“I’m feeling good,” he declared.
“I’m back in the best city in the world, I can’t wait to go out there, put a show on and get back to winning ways.”
It won’t be easy.
Adaway, who has replaced original opponent Nestor Maradiago, is a man with a heavy losing record, but a man who must not be discarded.
The Plymouth fighter’s log reads 10-69-4 but your punch-lines reporter saw him take the ‘0’ of unbeaten home fighter, Tom Ansell, on a big London show a couple of years back.
“I’ve seen Chris fight loads and he’s a game competitor,” said Laws.
“He’s as game as they come – he goes in there and gives all his prospects one hell of a go.”
Laws is therefore switched on to the threat, so what else has her learned since that painful evening in Peterborough?
“I’ve learned not to block shots with my forehead,” he joked.
“No, what I’ve learned is that I do want to box.
“At Christmas I asked myself questions of ‘do I want this?’ But I do and here I am.
“I can’t wait to go out there. I might be nervous, but the crowds are back, but that nervous energy is what feeds me.
“I got some stick about losing, but that’s just social media.
“It was a low point at Christmas but I’m a man, I picked myself up and I’m back.
“Mentally and physically, I feel great, I’m 26-years-old. I’m a young pup in this sport. The past 18 months have been hard for boxing but come Saturday it’ll be a clip of what’s to come. The show will be electric.”
Laws is first up just after 6pm and he’ll be live on Sky Sports Facebook.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
