Meet ‘The Kid’ and ‘The Master’. AKA Kevin Richardson and Neil Fannan.
It is North-East England boxing’s exciting new partnership and it is about to be played out inside the Eston Leisure Centre, where Richardson will make his pro debut on Saturday, June 20. .
Houghton-le-Spring’s teenage former National Schools champion has teamed up with Fannan at the 66-year-young coach’s famous Hartlepool gym.
Fannan’s career has been out of this world – five major professional champions have been developed here – Kevin Bennett, Michael Hunter, Isaac ‘Argie’ Ward, Martin Ward and Tommy Ward.
Chuck in a bundle of Northern Area champions such as Daniel Cope, Ian Cooper, Gary Fox and, most recently, Nathan Forrest, not to mention Lewis Ritson, who Fannan guided to his brilliant victory over Robbie Davies Jnr, and you get the idea of just how good Fannan is.
“It feels like the right place for me,” said Richardson, who will face Mexico’s Christian Lopez Flores this weekend in Middlesbrough.
“It fits my style as a boxer and who I am as a person.
“We have a bit craic, it’s the definitely the right fit here.
“If I was describing myself I’d say I’m probably a bit quiet til I get to know people but he’s brought me out of my shell.
“I feel much better mentally and that is down to Neil too, just being around him.
“Outside of the boxing, I feel a different person. He just has that effect on you.
“He’s different gravy.”
He is certainly that
Fannan’s record over the past quarter of a century has been something special, working closely with friend and fellow Hartlepool fight figure, Dave Garside.
He and manager Garside got the ball rolling in 1999 when Bennett and Cooper, two of Hartlepool Boys Welfare’s leading amateur stars turned pro.
Then there Hunter, who won the British, Commonwealth and European titles, while he guided Bennett and Argie Ward to Commonwealth success, and coached the Ward brothers to championship glory, Martin (Commonwealth) and Tommy (British).
Fannan was deadly serious that whenever Tommy was “done with boxing” that he would sign off too.
However, two years since the dazzling featherweight’s last contest, he will be in the corner for ‘The Kid’ on the Shamrock event in the Boro.
So what can we expect from Richardson – is he a boxer or a fighter?
“A bit of both,” said the recently turned 19-year-old who, despite his tender years, says he is ready for the pro journey.
“i like to look at myself as a clinical boxer, who punishes people with skill rather than getting in and just having a fight.
“Neil thinks I’m ready and if Neil think that then I’m ready.
“I’m excited to be here. I know Micky Hunter quite well and while I’m too young to have seen him I know he did all sorts in the sport.
“There was Lewis Ritson as well and I saw all Tommy Ward’s fights on the telly. I loved watching his footwork and skill.
“But I think what you can say about Fanno is all his boxers have a good defence and did the basics very well.
“And those things are the basis to get you to the top.”
Fannan will have Andrew Close, one of his former boxers, alongside him.
The 44-year-old, who had four pro bouts between 2001-02, is a renowned trainer himself as the head of the New Welfare ABC gym in Hartlepool and was the coach of the exciting Adam Cope, who won the Northern Area lightweight title and was on the wrong end of an iffy points verdict against Lewis Sylvester for the English championship.
And the former Houghton & District ABC star will be well backed at the Eston Leisure Centre, where in the top of the bill, Middlesbrough’s Jade Pearce challenges Kirsty Hill for the Commonwealth super-featherweight championship.
“I’ll have over 100 people there,” he said. “I’m well supported, not just in terms of people buying tickets but by my sponsors as well and my family who give me great support.
“I’ve got all I need.”
The journey begins on Saturday.
Words: Roy Kelly
