A little bit of everything. That is what VIP Boxing is bringing to their latest visit to the North-East.
Steve Wood stages an eight-bout bill at the Rainton Arena on his first show in the region in 2025, topped by exciting Sunderland star Travis Waters who faces Artem Pugach in an international battle of the southpaws.
The rest of the card is a delicious mix of talents moving up the rankings, those who are already off the mark and a couple who are making their professional debuts.
Injury prevented Josh Blenkiron headlining at Rainton Arena last November, but it is great to see him back in the ring here, against Sheffield’s Karl Sampson.
A very notable amateur in his time at Dunston ABC, the 23-year-old, from Sunnside (pictured) is up at 5-0 as a pro. His most recent outing, a 59-56 victory over Sheffield’s Owen Durnan at the Walker Dome last August was an absolute belter.
Blenka’s misfortune last November meant that Ben Rees was the headline act at the Houghton venue.
Newbiggin’s ‘Big Tasty’ clinched his fifth victory on the night when he outpointed tough South American Wilmer Baron over six very watchable rounds. At the time of writing, the Jobes Boxing southpaw is still awaiting an opponent on the VIP event.
Beau Smith can move up to five wins on Saturday night when he takes on Joe Hardy, from Leeds.
The 4-0 Sunderland boxer is part of the Tenacity stable and coaches Anth Kelly and John Stubbs will be looking to see him carry on from where he left off last time out against Dale Arrowsmith at Walker Dome in February.
On the subject of the Walker Dome, another Sunderland talent, Eduard Georgiev wasted no time there on the C5 show last November, when he blew away Jack England in just 151 seconds.
The 25-year-old here has Nicaraguan opposition in the man known as ‘The Gas’, Eliecer Quezada.
Also seeking a third paid win is Gateshead’s Shaun Huddart, who boxes out of Dickinsons School of Boxing gym just a stone’s throw up the road in Fencehouses. He will bring a thrilling approach to Rainton Arena.
A national senior title winner in the 2022, the 21-year-old defeated Spanish-based Colombian Yin Caicedo on debut and then followed that up against Nabil Ahmed in February. He has Yorkshire opposition again here against Jake Pollard.
Shaun Huddart, another boxer from the never-ending Birtley talent pool, made an energetic professional debut when he defeated Spanish-based Colombian Yin Caicedo 40-36.
A national senior title winner in the 2022, the 21-year-old is now a star of the new Dickinsons School of Boxing gym in Fencehouses, and he wowed the crowd with his all-action approach.
Talking of all-action approaches, Lewis Ginnelly is promising some of that.
The recently-turned 20-year-old from Newcastle is making his pro debut, coming up against Manchester’s Josh Cook over four rounds.
Lewis headed just south of the Tyne last September to be based with Mark Clauzel at his Swalwell gym.
“I’m very excited,” Lewis said in an interview with VIP. it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I’m ready.”
Ginnelly, from Benton, has declared no bold ambitions, just to enjoy his journey and excite along the route.
“I’m looking forward to doing the longer rounds, it gives me more time to get my opponent out of there, more time to land big shots and more time to show how good I am.
“I just want to see how far I can go, be as entertaining as I can, and land big shots all the way.”
Fellow newcomer Steven Raybould says the fear of regret later in life has prompted his move into pro boxing at the Natural Progression Boxing Academy in Stockton.
He boxed successfully as a junior, where he has a win as a kid over Thomas Hodgson under his belt, but it was in a different fighting game where he made an indelible mark.
As a teenager he had the honour of being Cleveland Kickboxing Gym’s first world champ and he won pretty much everything in the sport.
“I’ve watched lads like Travis and Tommy doing really well and I thought ‘I’ve boxed these lads and I want a piece of this’,” said Raybould, who told VIP that Scott Fitzgerald is his favourite fighter.
“It was time to get back in because I don’t want to live with any regrets.
“If I can do half of what Fitzy did, I’ll be happy.”
Ste will take on Sam Kirk, from Doncaster. Watching new fighters take their first steps is always a big deal and fans at Rainton Arena get a double on Saturday night.
Words: Roy Kelly
