Tommy Ward and Mark Dickinson are to have starring roles at the Summer Rumble.
Wearside fight figure Phil Jeffries is promoting this event at his beloved Stadium of Light for the 10th time and is thrilled to have two of the North-East’s brightest talents headlining outdoors on Sunday, July 17 at the now-Championship ground.
Ward is, surely, on the cusp of a world title shot after establishing himself as number one on the WBA featherweight ratings and seven with the WBO.
The 28-year-old Neil Fannan and Dave Garside boxer is unbeaten in 33 contests spanning 10 years and will be back, fittingly, having made his professional debut at the 2012 Summer Rumble, when he defeated Elemir Rafael over four rounds.
Dickinson is not an unfamiliar name in the annals of Rumble history with cruiserweight star Jon Lewis beating Sunderland’s David Dolan to the Northern Area title in 2011.
This time, it will be Mark Dickinson, the nephew of Jon Lewis, who will be stepping into the ring for his fourth professional contest.
Trained by Ben Davison, the 22-year-old West Rainton neighbour of Tommy Ward, has opened his professional career with three straight wins.
Both are stars of Probellum, each having won at the big event at the Utilita Arena at the end of March.
“I’m over the moon to have Tommy and Mark on this Summer Rumble,” Jeffries told punch-lines.
“With what’s been going on in the world over the last couple of years, this will be the first Rumble since 2019.
“I’m delighted Probellum have released both lads to box on this show.
“Tommy hopefully is almost at a world title shot and Mark looks like someone who is going to go all the way to the top.
“I would imagine Tommy will be doing an eight or 10 rounder and Mark a six, but just to get those two lads on is great for the show.”
Another boxer who starred on Probellum’s show in Newcastle in March, Joe Maphosa, will also be in action at the Stadium of Light.
Jaffa is trying to set up a Northern Area title fight for the event but one tasty-looking match has already been made.
Jarrow’s exciting Ewan McKenzie, unbeaten after four straight wins (including the last two inside the distance) will face Scarborough’s George Rogers, who has lost only once in nine bouts, over six rounds.
“I’m looking to make this a great Sunday afternoon out for the North-East boxing fans,” added Jeffries.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
