Ready to Rumble? It is almost time for Ewan Mackenzie v Tom Hill for the Northern Area welterweight title in one of the region’s most iconic events.
When you hear the words Summer Rumble then your thoughts are probably of a Sunday afternoon out every July at the Stadium of Light.
Regrettably, Sunderland’s very unique annual outdoor spectacular ended in 2022, Adam Cope’s Northern Area title win over Jordan Ellison bringing the curtain down on the Phil Jeffries’ era.
Jobes Boxing has taken on the Summer Rumble and it has moved down the road to the Rainton Arena, where the second edition takes place, headlined by Mackenzie v Hill.
Twelve months ago, savage power from Adam Hepple saw the Seaham fighter dethrone Matt McCallum as Northern Area super-middleweight champion.
And, credit to the promoters, they have conjured up another moment of magic here between two men ambitious for titles.
Click here to see what Ewan Mackenzie thinks about the big fight.
Picking a winner between Mackenzie and Hill looks a near-impossible task. Or to punch-lines it does.
Both arrive at the Houghton venue in a confident frame of mind, even though Ewan suffered his maiden professional defeat last time out.
The Jarrow southpaw (8-1) went out on his shield in his English light-middleweight title eliminator against Ishmael Davis.
It wasn’t just his bravery which stood out before the end in round eight, he had his moments in attack against the unbeaten Leeds fighter.
Hill, who at 29 is three years Mackenzie’s senior, looked to have drifted away from boxing following his eight-round points defeat in Belfast against Paddy Donovan in August 2022.
Click here for Tom Hill’s take on the Rainton showdown.
But Redcar’s ‘One Bomb’ (11-3) resumed in April and looked as though he had never been away as he put in a dominant display against Serge Ambomo.
Still on the subject of Northern Area champions, two reigning title holders provide support to the main event.
North Shields favourite Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hodgson (pictured), fresh from his 10-round classic with Jordan Ellison, is matched with India’s Lovepreet. Any sports person known by just one name must be good.
Bishop Auckland’s Nathan Forrest, who took the regional belt in March with a third-round stoppage of Kai Richmond, has experienced opposition in the shape of Venice based Nicaraguan Cristian Narvaez.
Like Nathan, Jordan Barker Porter is chasing an eighth pro victory when she faces Spanish-based Colombian Katherine Quintana. The Twins Academy-trained boxer gave a terrific performance last time out in European Silver title challenge in Italy.
The rest of the card features new or nearly new professionals.
Horden’s Ali Shah is looking to complete his professional hat-trick by beating familiar visitor to these parts, Jake Osgood, from Carlisle.
Hartlepool’s Jason Cumming is aiming to build on a splendid debut win over Simas Volosinas when ‘The Engine’ tackles Bolton’s Kiernan McAfee.
Also after doubling his victory tally is Cramlington’s Connor Samms, who is matched with Michael ‘Mad Man’ Mooney, from Worcester.
Two Jobes Boxing fighters make their debuts at the Houghton venue.
Newcastle boxer Lee Rogers, much decorated from his days at Birtley ABC, has Yorkshire opposition in the shape of ‘Batley Bulldog’ Nabil Ahmed.
Co Durham’s Michael Storey, who has come via the unlicensed fight scene, is matched with Blackpool heavy Jake Darnell.
Words: Roy Kelly
