If there was ever a home for the phrase ‘the show must go on’ it is surely Eston Leisure Centre.
The second North-East promotion of Mark ‘Mo’ Prior and Dave Westgarth has, like their debut event at the Middlesbrough venue, not been without its challenges.
Sadly, bouts at both ends of Saturday, February 3’s bill have been lost – headline act Thomas Hodgson and debutant Jason Cumming have seen their appearances scratched because of injuries to their opponents.
It is cruel luck not only to the North Shields and Hartlepool boxers, but to Mo and Dave, whose November show was beset with unavoidable last-minute hitches.
But Saturday is very much ON with a vast array of new talent, including three debutants.
Two Darlington boxers will be taking their first steps as professionals.
Featherweight Josh Babb, a successful boxer in amateur game with Ward Degnans ABC, with whom he was crowned a Tri-Nations champion, will box Bradford’s Jake Pollard over six rounds. Not many debutants kick off at six, so top marks to the Argie Ward-trained talent.
It is four rounds for Darlington neighbour, Liam Copping at light-heavy, who meets Oliver Brackenbury-Danquah, from Scunthorpe. Liam is part of the Pete Shepperson stable, so too will be worth watching.
There is a highly-anticipated debut too for Ryton’s Sophie Rogers.
Due to fight on the November event, her contest with Poland’s Agelika Oles fell through, but the ex-Tyne, Tees & Wear champion will face Kira Carter, from Leeds, this weekend in Eston.
Sophie’s former Dunston ABC team-mate, Josh Blenkiron, did get to box back in November, when he outpointed Rustem Fatkhullin, and now the Sunniside fighter tackles Worcester’s Michael Mooney.
The remainder of the seven-fight card will feature home fighters from Billingham Boxing Academy, an incredible club very much on the march.
Will Howe, Tom Summerbell and Jimmy Tyers are looking to extend their winning runs on Teesside soil.
Summerbell is aiming for pro victory number six this Saturday when he tackles Rochdale’s Richard Helm over six rounds at light-middleweight.
Tom ended 2023 strongly. Having outpointed Dale Arrowsmith at Eston Leisure Centre after four rounds he won in Leeds in November when he beat George Rogers on points.
On the last Boro event, both Howe (pictured) and Tyers were hit by no-shows from their scheduled opponents.
Jimmy is chasing his fourth victory in the paid ranks and comes up against a more-than-useful Londoner in Robbie Chapman over six rounds.
After the disappointment of the 11th hour cancellation of his last contest, Tyers did get to box a week later when he outpointed Cornish light-heavyweight Dylan Courtney over six rounds in a show in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire.
Unbeaten heavyweight Howe had the disappointment this week of seeing his scheduled scrap with Phil Williams called off when his opponent pulled out injured.
The ‘Boro Balboa’ will now face Darryl Sharp, who steps in as a substitute having not turned up in November to fight Tyers. It was very much out of character for the Middleton southpaw, who is one of British boxing’s great servants.
It is welcome news for Howe. The 21-year-old has won both pro bouts so far and will be hoping to get to entertain his legion of fans in his hometown this Saturday.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig/ BOXXER
