You could never accuse Adam Hepple of lacking ambition, bottle or commitment.
And the Seaham star will doubtless carry that ABC to Bolton on Saturday, November 23 when he challenges Brad ‘The Sting’ Rea for the vacant Commonwealth Silver light-heavyweight title.
It will be the 31-year-old’s third championship or championship-length bout on the spin.
And it is a huge task for the 4-1 Northern Area super-middleweight title holder against the excellent 19-1 Manchester fighter, who is now based in Blackpool.
Hepple is not afraid of a challenge, having taken Matt McCallum’s belt and unbeaten record at Rainton Arena last year and then fought Reece Farnhill to the very end in a bloodied first career defeat in Oldham earlier this year in their English title eliminator.
Hepple is a leading member of the Twins Academy in Trimdon and coach Jordan Williams says there was no hesitation in accepting the offer from VIP Promotions, who stage the event at the Hideout in Farnworth.
“It sprung up on us last minute really,” the trainer told punch-lines. “It’s a big opportunity with the Commonwealth Silver title on the line.
“We’ve been in camp for I can’t remember how long – we’re ready to box. It was an easy fight to make, we accepted straight away so it’s game on.
“Brads a really good opponent. We are under no illusions – this is a really, really hard fight, but I believe it will bring out the best in Adam.
“Moving up to light-heavyweight I think is a very smart move. I’m confident.”
Punch-lines was in conversation with Williams at the state-of-the-art Everlast gym in Gateshead on Sunday, when Jobes Boxing held a media day to promote their huge November 30 show at Houghton.
Two of Jordan’s undefeated prospects, Dan English and Billy Wade were publicising Northern Area title tilts against favourites Sam Menzies and McCallum.
Sadly for English, Menzies has withdrawn from their bantamweight contest, but the Twins camp are not afraid of a challenge – remember Jordan Barker-Porter had a crack at the European Silver lightweight title in Italy back in April.
“Adam’s in it to test himself,” said Williams (pictured left with Hepple after the second-rouns stoppage of McCallum). “There aren’t many lads who are 4-1 who will fight a boxer 19-1.
“I’m very fortunate as a coach that everyone I train wants to be in proper fights.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to be honest. It’s happening a lot more now, but boxing went through a period, especially in the North-East, when 50-50 fights were few and far between.
“What Jobes is doing on November 30th is really good and on the 23rd hopefully we’ll come back with the Commonwealth Silver title.”
Rea will start as the overwhelming favourite.
The 26-year-old has moved up a couple of divisions after a fine run at middleweight. North-East fight fans may well recall his appearance in Newcastle three years ago when he outpointed Londoner Jez Smith in an eight-round cracker on the Boxxer show at the Utilita Arena.
Brad’s winning sequence ended in his 15th bout, losing a closer decision with Tyler Denny for the English middleweight belt in Manchester in November 2022.
He has come back with five victories on the spin and the fact the last four have all come early, he appears to have carried his finishing power up the divisions with him.
The lure of the Commonwealth Silver belt will be strong for Hepple, who will also be motivated by last month’s ghastly events at the Twins Academy which was gutted by fire.
Williams hopes success on the 23rd and 30th will be a huge lift for Twins and Trimdon.
“It would be a really nice way to end a bad time,” he said.
“We’ve done the hard work and now it’s down to what happens on fight night.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
