If he pulls it off it will be one of boxing’s great stories.
Rob Ismay is chasing his first title 12 years after turning pro when he fights for the vacant English heavyweight title against Solomon Dacres in Newcastle on Saturday, March 18.
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom return to Toon for the first time in 21 months when they will parade their North-East stars Mark Dickinson, Calum French, Pat McCormack and Cyrus Pattinson, who will top the bill with an attractive contest with former British and Commonwealth champion Chris Jenkins.
It is a NXTGEN show for Matchroom and their cast list reflects that but for Ismay this is a huge moment in his career, huge in every respect.
Ex-national champion and Team GB star Dacres will, at 6ft 5in, tower over the Gateshead boxer while also starting as overwhelming favourite as one of Hearn’s brightest prospects.
But, don’t tell ‘Isy’ that he is merely there to be a sacrificial lamb for Matchroom.
“I’m not there to take part, I’m there to win,” Rob told punch-lines.
“If they think I’m just a stepping stone then they are in for the shock of their lives.
“I’m 90 per cent sure they have probably taken a look at my record of 11-0 and know I’m not really a genuine heavyweight and thought ‘this is a brilliant fight to pad out Solomon’s record’.
“For all he’s tall in stature, he’s not really a monster of a heavyweight, he’ll probably be 16 to 17 stones.
“I can put out fighters’ lights at that weight.”
It has been some journey so far for the 35-year-old from Whickham, who made his debut back in 2011.
Back then Ismay was a light-heavyweight prospect, fighting out of Neil Fannan’s Hartlepool gym, and clocked up eight straight victories, before departing the scene in 2013.
Returning in 2019 at the Wallsend Boxing Academy under the coaching of Nik Gittus, ‘Isy’ has reeled off three wins, the most recent two via stoppage.
It’s that show of power, combined with his core boxing skills, which has strengthened his confidence that he can take the ‘0’ away from the 29-year-old, from Warley in the West Midlands.
“Solomon will look brilliant, if he is allowed to look brilliant,” Ismay told punch-lines.
“I don’t think I’ve seen any of his opponents move their head yet.
“I’ve still got all the Neil Fannan foundations from my time with Fanno and Nik has added to my skills. “I’m an explosive puncher and I think I will stop him.”
Words: Roy Kelly
