Ready to put on a show. That’s ‘The Showman’ AKA Robbie Colman.
The Jarrow boxer tackles fellow unbeaten boxer Josh Blenkiron for the vacant Northern Area lightweight title on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena.
Colman, who has won all seven of his professional bouts, one inside the distance, believes the 10-round derby will be a “show stealer” on Matchroom’s visit to Newcastle, which is headlined by the IBF world light-middleweight showdown between reigning champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sunderland’s Josh Kelly.
Picking a winner in the scrap to decide the North-East bragging rights looks a tough call – like Colman, Blenkiron too has seven wins on his record, plus a draw in Dublin against Irish prospect Tony McGlynn last time out.
Colman is a boxer who traditionally adopts the aggressive approach and believes he will have too much for his opponent, who defeated him twice in the amateur ranks while boxing for Dunston ABC.
“I’ve trained hard and I’m confident,” said the 26-year-old, who trains north of the Tyne at Tyneside ABC under coaches Dean Laing and Ross Wilkinson.
“My preparation has been mint, it’s been the hardest I’ve ever trained. Don’t get me wrong I train hard for all my fights but this is a 10-round title fight so I’ve put even more in.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself, I’m just going to let it flow.
“I respect Josh, he’s a good kid, and I think he’ll come at me and give me a hard fight, he’s a come-forward fighter.
“But I think he’s a bit one-dimensional whereas I’ve got more styles and can mix it up – I can box on the front foot, I can box on the back foot, I can do a bit of both.
“I’m looking forward to it, I think he’s going to see the best of me on Saturday night. This a real 50-50 fight.
“This is going to steal the show, for sure.”
Colman’s preparations have been boosted by sessions with Yorkshire boxer Josh Padley, who takes on Frenchman Jaouad Belmehdi for the vacant European super-featherweight title in the chief support to Kelly v Murtazaliev.
Fans may well remember Padley from stepping in at short notice last year to fight the great Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title, putting in a terrific performance.
“I’ve been sparring Josh Padley all the way through my camp and I’ve had some great work-outs,” said Robbie.
“He’s a top fighter, whose boxing for the European super-featherweight title on this show.
“That’s been really good and I’m ready for this.”
Colman has only lost one round in his career to date and that came last time out when he was involved in a lively battle with Hereford’s Jake Price in Houghton last September before gaining a 59-55 verdict from referee Daniel McFarlane.
While ‘The Showman’ has won all seven appearances, that should not be unexpected given the level of opposition he has faced.
Blenkiron is the first boxer with a winning record he has faced but Colman told punch-lines that he believes he is ready for this moment.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself,” he said. “I’m just going to let it flow.”
He will be well supported in Newcastle and had a word for his fans.
“There is a lot of support coming and I’d like to thank everyone who has bought tickets to watch me,” said Colman.
The fans could well be the winners in the Utilita Arena. This promises to be some fight.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
