Meet Jordan Ellison the boxer who wins when he wants.
The self-appointed “king of the road warriors” is now aiming to be crowned king of the North on Saturday by beating Newbiggin’s undefeated Owen Rees at Rainton Arena.
It is the FIFTH Northern Area title fight of Ellison’s incredible career which has spanned over a decade and included 76 bouts.
The 29-year-old is 3-1 down in said bouts, beating Terence Wilkinson four years ago to win the belt he will be contesting this weekend, while he has lost to Lewis Ritson, Adam Cope and Thomas Hodgson in the others.
On paper, Ellison’s record of 16-56-5 is not one to strike fear into the heart or head of Jobes Boxing star Rees who is a former national amateur champion with Birtley ABC and has won all six of his paid fights.
But the Seaham boxer told punch-lines that Rees should be worried – one of the unseen stats is that of Jordan’s 15 wins he has ended the unbeaten runs of 10 opponents.
“I’m not being funny here but I’m the king of the road warriors,” said Ellison.
“I’ve only ever been in the home corner three times – ever. My first two bouts and then against Alec Bazza
“Almost my entire career has been in the away corner, but if I turn up and want to beat my opponent then I will.
“I’ve beaten a lot of undefeated boxers and champions too – I beat Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd, who was the Commonwealth champ, and Dylan Cheema, who had just won the Prizefighter tournament.
“There have been a lot of robberies too.
“Two of my last three fights I’ve been given draws when in reality I’ve won both.
“I thought I beat Tommy Hodgson last year and I’ll be giving it my all.
“This is a fight when I’m coming to win and whoever the referee or judges are I hope that the decision is the right call.”
In an interview with punch-lines this week Rees suggested that he was “the fresher man” and that Ellison had been in a lot of tough fights.
But Jordan insists his battle-hardened seasoned campaigner status is an advantage rather than a hindrance.
“This is my fifth Northern Area title fight and earlier in my career I won one of these Challenge belts on the road,” said the former Horden ABC star.
“That’s six title fights and Owen has only had seven bouts altogether.
“Some people might say my experience from title fights will count in the later rounds here, but I think it will matter from the get-go.
“But I’m in no way underestimating Owen one bit.
“He’s got a very good amateur pedigree and he’s not lost a round as a pro…. yet.
“Owen is strong, clever and a good kid, but I’m so ready for this.
“My camp, my weight, everything has gone good. I’m ready 100 per cent.”
Click here to read thew thoughts of Owen Rees about the title confrontation.
Ellison lost this very title on the scales last year when he came in too heavy for his showdown with Hodgson but there were no issues this time with Jordan weighing in at 139lb 13oz, three ounces heavier than Owen, if you can describe three ounces as heavier?
“The problem for the fight with Tommy was I’d not long got married,” he said. “I was still in the honeymoon stage and my diet had not been good.
“This time I’ve had a full camp, trained and sparred properly, and everything has gone good. I think with our styles colliding that it’s going to be a great fight.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
