Winning the Northern Area title would feel like winning the world championship to me.
Those are the words of Jordan Ellison on the eve of his 10-round light-welterweight derby showdown with Terence Wilkinson at the Rainton Arena.
From the outside looking in it is a romantic message but for the 25-year-old underdog, from just half a dozen miles away in Seaham, it’s a very real notion.
Ellison has spent 99 per cent of his career on the road fighting top-notch stars, unbeaten prospects and ticket sellers.
As a result, his record is somewhat lopsided with 34 defeats outweighing his 12 wins and two draws, that compared to a perfect 8-0 log for Wilkinson.
However, his title dream is far from misguided – of those 12 wins, nine have been against the home star and he has taken seven unbeaten tags along the way.
Will the Walker light-welter become the eighth? Ellison plans to give it everything at the Phil Jeffries event in association with MTK.
“Some might not see it as a massive title, but winning the Northern Area would feel like winning the world championship to me,” he told punch-lines.
“Saturday night is my chance for glory – my second chance.
“I lost to Lewis Ritson in 2016 and then he went and blew away three lads in British title fights inside a couple of rounds.
“Losing to Lewis is no shame given the power he has but I went seven with him before he stopped me.
“My biggest win so far has probably been beating Sean Masher Dodd in Liverpool – he had been the Commonwealth champion.
“But if I can beat Terry and win the Northern Area belt it’ll be my biggest night.”
That six-round win over Dodd, who many will have watched in the BOXXER tournament last weekend, was 19 fights ago, but Ellison said that he’s feeling as good as he ever has.
Click here to see what Wilkinson thinks of the fight.
The former Horden ABC boxer produced some stand-out results for the Gus Robinson Developments team in Hartlepool, but now he is being trained by his long-time manager, Michael Marsden in Leeds.
“The last couple of years I’ve probably not done it as I should and just trained as of when,” he admitted.
“When I went to Mick’s, my partner said to me ‘if you are going to do it, do it properly, give it 100 per cent’.
“That’s what I’ve done and I feel like a different fighter.
“I do two to three days in Leeds and do some of the hard work up here.
“I’ve had some great sparring with lads like Jack Bateson and Darren Tetley and training overall has been brilliant.
“At 25 I feel as though I’m in my prime and I’m ready for this.”
Ellison’s reputation is one of a fighter with a big heart and determination by the bucketload, but don’t think he can’t box.
You don’t beat Dodd or undefeated American Jacob Wooley or totally outbox WBO world title challenger George Jupp in London if you can’t find your way around a ring.
Ellison is though stepping up a division to face Wilka.
“I don’t feel out of place moving up,” he added. “I don’t think it’s a weakness, I feel strong.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
