Ewan Mackenzie is aiming for Northern Area championship glory and then “keep the ball rolling”.
The popular Jarrow southpaw is in full training at Forest Hall as he prepares to take on Tom Hill on Saturday, July 27, at Rainton Arena, where Jobes Boxing promotes.
Mackenzie had originally been scheduled to box undefeated Sedgefield star Jeff Saunders for the welterweight belt, but now it’s the 28-year-old, from Redcar, on the Summer Rumble and Macca is suitably excited.
“Tom is definitely a harder fight,” Ewan told punch-lines. “Tom is the more experienced boxer, even though Jeff has had more fights.
“Jeff has had some long lay-offs and Tom has greater momentum behind him and been in with harder opponents and longer fights.
“The Northern Area title fights are always the best, two local lads putting it on the line and that’s going to be the case here.
“Once I get this fight out of the way I want to get straight into the next one.
“I don’t want to be fighting a journeyman – I want an English title fight or eliminator, or defences of the Northern Area. Northern Area bouts are always a cracking night.
“I want to keep the ball rolling.”
Mackenzie has a fair amount of his own momentum behind him even though he lost last time out against Ishmael Davis.
That English title eliminator in Newcastle last November ended in round eight but such was his tenacity and bravery against a very good fighter, who went on to beat Troy Williamson, that Ewan’s stock rose significantly.
“I was devastated on the night,” recalled the Davy Ritson-trained fighter, whose record now reads 8-1.
“You try to smile for the cameras and for the people, but inside you are broken.
“It’s devastating and you feel your world has ended, but it was nice to have earned respect and people class you as a real fighter now.
“These are the fights you have to prove yourself in – bashing nobodies about isn’t what boxing is about.
“Ishmael is very good and has not long ago beaten Troy, a boxer I rate and respect highly, so that has made my performance against him look very good.”
The original July 27 match up had been given English title eliminator status and it is hoped this will too, though, frustratingly Saunders v Mackenzie is still listed on the Boxing Board of Control’s monthly championship circular.
Unbeaten Owen Cooper is the man who currently has the English belt in his possession, with the Worcester boxer boasting a 10-0 record, four wins coming early.
It would be great to see either Hill or Mackenzie do battle with the 23-year-old.
The Summer Rumble, once an annual spectacular at the Stadium of Light, is now an indoor event, with nine bouts planned, including appearances for new Northern Area champions Thomas Hodgson and Nathan Forrest.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
