A perfect 10. That is what is in prospect for Travis Waters when he takes to the ring for the first time in 2025 this weekend.
The undefeated Sunderland southpaw (pictured) is chasing his 10th professional victory on Saturday, February 15, when he faces Costa Rica’s Jose Aguirre in Newcastle.
Waters is the headline attraction of 10 fights at the Shamrock Promotions’ Valentine Fight Night at the Walker Dome.
The exciting Sunderland southpaw, part of the Tenacity gym of Anth Kelly and John Stubbs, has reeled off nine straight wins, including five inside the distance.
Aguirre, known as ‘El Perro’ has a TKO win on his record from his time boxing back home in Costa Rica, with five of his last six outings coming in the UK. This one is scheduled for six rounds.
Also going over six rounds will be Tom Summerbell who too is making his 10th professional appearance, facing Longton’s Jamie Stewart.
The Trimdon welterweight’s record stands at 8-1 after a first career defeat last time out in November.
Summerbell, who trains at Billingham Boxing Academy, was beaten in Dubai over 10 rounds by unbeaten Indian Faizan Anwar.
Two judges had the margin as four rounds at the Agenda Arena and Tom will be looking to return to winning ways here against ‘the king’ who has four wins and three draws ion 16 contests.
Also looking for a return to the winner’s enclosure is Adam Hepple who faces the ‘Pocklington Rocket’ Harry Matthews over six rounds.
You must take your hat off to Seaham’s Northern Area champion who never shirks a challenge, having taken on Brad ‘the sting’ Rea and Reece Farnhill in his last two outings. Matthews has been involved in some wars over the years, so this could be a tasty scrap.
Adam’s Twins gym-mate in Trimdon, Ali Syed Shah is also boxing over six rounds at the Walker Dome against Dublin southpaw Jacob Marrer.
The Horden boxer, who had been due to tackle Co Durham neighbour Jordan Ellison for the Northern Area title last November, has not fought since July when he took his fight log to 3-0 with a six-round shut-out against Jake Osgood.
Northern Area lightweight champion Nathan Forrest is also in action over six rounds as he looks to extend his 100 per cent record to nine wins.
The Bishop Auckland boxer, trained in Hartlepool by Neil Fannan, is up against Glasgow’s Donnie McInnes.
Sheffield-born Tyneside-based light-middleweight Leon Musson has enjoyed a fine start to the paid ranks and will be out to make it five wins on the spin against Conor Meanwell, who is making his third trip to the North-East after previous fights with Dylan Fail and Bobby Dalton.
Sunderland’s Beau Smith, stablemate of top-of-the-bill Waters, is back after a ninth-month hiatus against a perennial visitor to the North-East, Dale Arrowsmith, from Hyde. Beau, 21, has a 3-0 record with Nathan Darby his most recent victim last May.
Dickinsons School of Boxing star Shaun Huddart is in the ring just three months after an exciting debut when he defeated Spanish-based Colombian Yin Caicedo at Rainton Arena.
Boxing News reported how the 21-year-old, from Gateshead, ‘wowed the crowd with his all-action approach’. This time, he faces ‘Batley Bulldog’ Nabil Ahmed, who enjoyed an entertaining tussle with Shaun’s former Mirtley ABC team-mate Lee Rogers last year.
Gateshead’s Brandon Morrison also made an impressive debut on the same November night when outpointing seasoned Carlisle campaigner Osgood. The former Washington ABC amateur faces a boxer on debut at the Walker Dome, Lewis Varley.
On the subject of debuts, Aaron Bird, will take his first paid steps in the sport on Saturday night.
The Birdman of Ryhope, a decorated amateur, has joined Jamie Sheldon and his expanding One Empire Management. There was a great video of the ex-Ryhope ABC star on social media introducing himself to the pro fans, saying he’ll “hit them, get hit and enjoy myself.”
He sounds like the type of fighter North-East fans will love and his first date is Valentine Fight Night.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
