You would be forgiven for thinking of Darlington as the centre of the boxing universe.
There is something magical about the DL postcode when it comes to the noble art – British & Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Troy Williamson, English bantamweight king Josh Babb, Commonwealth Silver light-welterweight belt holder Hannah Robinson, not forgetting undefeated light welter prospect Ben Marksby.
Now there is another making their way. Step forward Sophia Maycroft.
The 23-year-old, armed with the moniker ‘Mayhem’ makes her professional entrance on Saturday night’s bumper show at the Eston Leisure Centre.
Maycroft faces Hungary’s Sara Orszagi on Shamrock’s undercard of Jade Pearce’s crack at Kirsty Hill’s Commonwealth super-featherweight title.
The pro sport looks tailor-made for Sophia, who first caught the eye several years ago at Catterick ABC, where she won a couple of national junior trophies, and is now under the tutelage of the excellent Pete Shepperson, who has also guided Liam Copping in the professionals and, previously, Ellis Corrie.
“Mayhem just randomly came into my head,” Sophia told punch-lines.
“I wanted something to go with my last name and ‘Mayhem’ Maycroft went nicely together.
“I feel too that I’m aggressive and non-stop in the ring so it fits!”
That Maycroft is a boxer should come as no shock – her cousin is Darlington’s greatest, Stuey Hall, the former IBF world champion.
“I was born in Darlington and grew up here,” said the flyweight. “When I was a little kid I’d watch Stuey on the TV and thought ‘I want a bit of that’.
“I told my mam and she wouldn’t let me – she didn’t like the thought of her baby girls getting hit.
“After a couple of years she let me go with my best friend to Newton Aycliffe, but only for fitness!
“But my mam let me box in the end and I had a couple of bouts there and went to Spennymoor for a bit.
“But it was at Catterick where I fell in love instantly with boxing.
“I was unbeaten there but when my coach left I felt I couldn’t stay and he recommended Peter.
“I’ve been there ever since with Peter and won quite a bit with him.”
Sophia is one of three debutants on the same event.
Teenager Kevin ‘The Kid’ Richardson, just turned 19, is the youngest of the trio. The ex-Houghton & District ABC’s former National Schools champion, now training under Neil Fannan in Hartlepool, faces a familar face in Newark journeyman Fonz Alexander.
A pro debut is a special time for any boxer, but for Ben Jarvis his bout against Edgars Sniedze at Eston Leisure Centre is extra-special, not only because he is from just down the A66.
Jarvis has been out of the ring for over SEVEN years.
The beaten finalist on a split decision at U86 kilos at England’s Senior Elite Championship in 2019, the ex-Redcar ABC man has joined the pro ranks with Shamrock and with in-form trainer Jordan Williams in Trimdon.
Punch-lines recalls Jarvis from one of this website’s first reports, back in 2018, when he was involved in what we described as a ‘fascinating bout’ in the Tyne, Tees & Wear U81 kilo semi-final against Jimmy Tyers of East Durham ABC. Punch-lines described that Tyers was ‘supplying the aggression and Jarvis landing the cleaner shots’ with Jim getting the nod on a split.
Another Redcar ABC talent was part of the regional section of the Senior Elite Championship that night, Bobby Dalton.
Then, he was perhaps a little unfortunate to lose a close decision to Joe Laws, but Dalton has gone on to enjoy some good nights in the professional arena.
Bobby won the Northern Area belt in his ninth outing and the English welterweight crown in his 10th with a rip-roaring display against Ben Vaughan in Stoke-on-Trent.
Alas, Dalton lost on his maiden defence against Joel Kodua on the BBC last November, but after a breather and a switch to the Twins Academy in Trimdon under the aforementioned Williams, he resumes his career here.
Bobby will meet Spain-based Argentinian Ezequiel Gregores over six grounds. It’s great to see him back.
It will be just as good to catch sight of ‘The Bird man of Ryhope’ for the fifth time. Sunderland’s Aaron Peter Bird has rattled off four straight wins as a pro and here he faces Mexico’s Mario Valenzuela.
Ireland’s Sean Tyndall (it would not be a Shamrock show without a bit of Irish flavour) will open the event against Scotland’s Dylan Nixon.
Let the Mayhem begin!
Words: Roy Kelly
