Rainton to Florida and back to Rainton.
The journey Jason Cumming has been on as he chases his fifth straight in County Durham on Saturday night when he takes on Nicaragua’s Eliecier Quesada over six rounds.
Crowd favourite Cumming has won all four of his professional bouts, the most recent just last month at the same Houghton venue, where he outpointed another Nicaraguan, Nestor Maradiaga, over four rounds.
Since then, the unbeaten 21-year-old has been in Florida for a training stint in Orlando, where he was the guest of his sponsor Paul Gough, the Hartlepool-born physio who is now an internationally renowned fitness and health expert.
Cumming was there with head coach Peter Cope, who usually trains the super-featherweight at Hartlepool Elite Boxing Academy, along with Alan Temple and Wayne McCarte.
Cope is looking to build on the momentum created over the last five weeks at the Shamrock Promotions event.
“Things could not have gone any better,” said the coach (pictured second right in Orlando with Jason immediately on his right).
“We’re blessed that Jason has great sponsors and one of those is Paul Gough.
“We got to stay at Paul’s home in Florida and use his gym there and gain the benefit of one of the finest minds in sports fitness.
“Jason arranged some sessions in Orlando where he did six three-minute rounds with three different fighters. He was brilliant.
“It was top quality sparring and one of the lads he was in with is expected to go to the next Olympics.
“It was absolutely baking hot in there, but Jason had no problem with the conditions and did not look out of place with any of the lads he sparred.
“We thank Paul for his hospitality and his support.”
Now he’ll be looking to carry that into the ring this weekend.
It could be an intriguing match and that’s not just on the basis of the two monikers adopted by the fighters given Cumming is known as ‘The Engine’ while the Spain-based Central American is nicknamed ‘The Gas’.
On his previous appearance at Rainton Arena, in April, Quezada ended the 100 per cent record of Bulgarian-born Sunderland talent Eduard Georgiev.
The contest ended in a 38-38 draw but the sport’s ‘Bible’ Boxing News had the clean-hitting Eliecier winning on their very unofficial scorecard so, clearly. no liberties can be taken with the 34-year-old.
Cumming v Quesada is just part of a six-fight show from Mervyn Turner.
Sunniside’s Josh Blenkiron (6-0), who boxed successfully out of Dunston ABC, faces Jake Osgood, from Carlisle, while after five straight wins over four rounds Sunderland’s Beau Smith has his first six-rounder against Brummie Lewis Varley.
Recently-turned professionals Jade Pearce and Joe Tyers are in action at Houghton.
Middlesbrough girl Pearce faces Naila Abigail Peloso over six rounds, while Trimdon talent Tyers, who is based at Billingham Boxing Academy, fights over four rounds against Tatenda Mangome, from Kent.
Darlington’s Liam Copping is also on the show though no opponent has yet been listed.
Words: Roy Kelly
