An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman.
It’s no joke, even though this website is known as punch-lines. No, the Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman are just three of the supporting cast to the WBA world championship eliminator double in Newcastle on Saturday, February 25.
Lewis Ritson v Ohara Davies and Tommy Ward v Otabek Kholmatov are the headline bouts, but Northern Area champion Adam Cope (the Englishman), Steven Cairns (the Irishman) and Lee McGregor (the Scotsman) look set to provide some exciting action.
Cope (pictured) is one of a long list of up and coming boxers from the region, with the unbeaten 26-year-old from Hartlepool looking to break into English Championship contention.
McGregor is one of the best talents north of Hadrian’s Wall, ‘Lighting’ Lee holding the British, Commonwealth and European titles at bantamweight.
Cairns, a much-vaunted Ireland amateur, has started briskly in the professional game with four straight wins for the super-featherweight.
They are just part of a belting array of boxers, if you forgive the pun, who will be on the show promoted by Wearside fight impresario, Phil Jeffries.
Sadly, injury has ruled out Darlington’s Troy Williamson from a place on the show.
Another of Jaffa’s most watchable unbeaten prospects is Jarrow’s Ewan Mackenzie , who like the aforementioned Cope, is also chasing win number seven as a professional.
Now coached by Davy Ritson at Forest Hall, the 24-year-old is fresh from one of his best wins yet, at Newcastle last month against Angel Emilov.
Hopes of a ‘Nathan derby’ at the Utilita Arena between Newcastle’s Nathan Cummiskey (5-1) and Nathan Forrest, the Bishop Auckland 2-0 man, have sadly been dashed after being unable to agree on a weight.
But, hopefully, both the Jobes Boxing prospect Cummiskey and Forrest, trained in Hartlepool by the legendary Neil Fannan, should appear on the bill albeit not against each other.
Newcastle’s Mo Sayers, who has won all three of his paid fights inside the distance, joins Forest Hall stablemates Ritson and McKenzie of the bill, while Ashington’s highly-decorated former amateur star Ben Rees will be looking to kick-start his pro career after a bad cut caused his debut last March to be halted and scored as a draw.
Two Co Durham boxers are lined up for their professional debuts.
Ali Shah is part of the Twins gym in Trimdon, while Brandon Boxing Club’s Callum Walton has enjoyed a fine amateur career. Both are welcome additions to the bill and the pro game.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
