Anth Ornsby lives for boxing – something his opponent at Rainton Arena has in common with him.
Ultra-dedicated Anth steps into the ring for the fifth time as a professional seeking to extend his 100 per cent record against Seaham’s Jordan Ellison, who is looking to end a sequence of 17 contests without a victory.
Jordan has earned a good living from boxing as an opponent, fighting a succession of unbeaten stars or big ticket sellers, all away from home, and he’s even fought five times during lockdown.
A look at his record of 11-34-2 would suggest a gentle re-introduction back into the square ring for Ornsby after 18 months without a bout, but the Wallsend star is aware of the danger posed by Ellison in what could be a four-round war.
“Jordan is no mug,” the Steve Wraith-managed prospect told punch-lines ahead of the event at Houghton.
“I’ve been watching his fights and it has given me goosebumps.
“It’s got me excited and that’s what you want – I know this is a step up for me because Jordan has had a lot of good fights and some good wins.
“It’s a challenge but that’s what you want as a boxer.”
Ellison will certainly bring out the best of Ornsby who boxed very smoothly indeed last time out on MTK’s visit to Newcastle at the back end of February 2020.
Some accurate short rights and lefts set the tone against Sheffield’s Qasim Hussain, which punch-lines noted were followed by a number of body shots in the second plus a rousing finale at the end of the four rounds.
Ron Kearney, scoring from outside the ropes had it 40-36, with referee Kevin Weaver raising Anth’s right arm inside the ring (pictured).
Previously, he has defeated popular Northern Ireland visitor Alec Bazza and Slovakia’s Rudolf Durica and, in between, won a four-round cracker with Yorkshire’s Danny Little at the 2019 Summer Rumble at the Stadium of Light.
Given his love of this great sport, not getting the chance to tape up the gloves since the Newcastle Eagles Arena has hit Ornsby hard.
But the wait is over and he’s inspired at being on Phil Jeffries’ opening show of 2021 and inspired by the bout he’s got.
“My life is boxing, when I’m not boxing I drive myself round the bend,” he said.
“The last 18 months have been rough for everyone, but for me it’s great that the shows are back and I’ll be looking to impress.
“There’s going to be no easy pickings – this is a tough fight against a tough kid.”
It could easily be a fight of the night contender if the two North-East neighbours cut loose.
In other four-rounders, unbeaten Teessider Michael Webster faces Poland’s Pawel Strykowski while there are debuts for Ewan McKenzie and Jordan Barker-Porter against Paul Scaife and Vaida Masiokaite.
The Peterlee-trained “Black Diamond” Alex Farrell is the chief support with a six-rounder against former Olympian, Serge Ambomo, while the climax to the night sees Thornaby’s Joe Maphosa tackle Craig Derbyshire, from South Yorkshire, for the vacant English super-flyweight title.
A big crowd is anticipated but tickets are available on the door. Doors open at 6.30pm with the action under way an hour later.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
