Rejuvenated, recharged, refreshed. Calum French is ALL the Rs as he prepares to return to his place of work against Jeff Ofori.
The world-rated amateur turned pro is back in action for the first time since Matchroom’s last NXTGEN visit to Newcastle where Eddie Hearn promotes his prospects this Saturday.
French, as the first three words of the story conveys, resumes after an enforced absence because of a shoulder issue and told punch-lines he is both fit AND focused.
It is just as well because he has what could be a test at the Utilita Arena against live Londoner, who ended the 100 per cent start to Essex boy Mark Marley’s professional career just four weekends ago.
The 33-year-old was awarded a 57-57 draw at York Hall where top-drawer fight reporter Daniel Herbert noted in Boxing News how Ofori “scored with two big left hooks in the last.”
Like Marley, this is French’s fifth paid appearance.
“He’s game, he comes to fight and he comes to win,” said the Gateshead southpaw (pictured left after Friday’s weigh-in). “He has ambition.
“I think that will bring out the best in me.
“Boxing at a very high class in the amateurs you had top level kids coming at you trying to take your head off.
“But then in the pros you have to start with fights against journeymen and sometimes you can get dragged down to their level.
“You’ll see the best Calum French on Saturday night when someone’s coming to try to take my head off.”
The southpaw is aiming “to box his head off” and feels in the condition and mindset to do that because of the break he’s had.
“You’re going to see a rejuvenated, refreshed and recharged Calum French.
“I had a long time out with the injury, but I spent that time wisely.
“I’ve had rehab and physio to get the shoulder strong again and now we’re ready to go again.
“My batteries have been re-charged and I’ve enjoyed the break mentally as well.
“I’m back refreshed in body and mind and that’s important.”
Click here to read about Ewan Mackenzie’s English title eliminator with Ishmael Davis.
French has reeled off four wins since making his debut two years ago to the day in a lively six-rounder with Rustem Fatkhullin in Liverpool.
HIs most recent ‘W’ came in a North-East derby with that most un-journeyman journeyman, Jordan Ellison back in March on DAZN at the same venue.
Matchroom CEO, Frank Smith, spoke strongly of their North-East stable and of Frenchy in particular at Thursday’s media conference in Newcastle, saying how they wanted to “build momentum” with the Graeme Rutherford-trained southpaw.
The former Birtley ABC and GB Boxing star agreed, saying: “God willing I’ll be headlining one of these big shows one day.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
