Putting on a show. That is Jobes Boxing who are just days away from staging a major promotion in Newcastle.
Saturday evening’s event at the Vertu Motors Arena (or the Eagles if you please) looks a cracker.
Two fascinating England v Wales championship matches, both at welterweight, are at the top of the card.
Redcar’s Bobby Dalton bids for the WBO inter-continental title against Swansea’s Ben Crocker while Willy Gilheaney, from the same neck of the woods in South Wales, is the opponent for Cyrus Pattinson as the Alnwick southpaw chases WBO European glory.
A look underneath the headlines will reveal appearances by some of the creme de la creme of North East boxing.
Josh Babb, Josh Blenkiron, Joe Miller and Owen Rees are all either belt holders or recent champs, plus Lee Rogers, who looks destined for titles rather soon.
Babb, Darlington’s English bantamweight champion, has a Mexican opponent in Erick Omar Lopez, who has been outpointed by Rogers and Miller on previous visits to the region.
Sunniside’s Blenkiron (pictured), chasing a decider with Robbie Colman with their Northern Area title scoreline standing at 1-1 after ‘the Showman’ outpointed him for the Northern Area title in April, faces new professional Billy Dean Goodall in another England v Wales bout.
Miller has a potential tricky opponent in his first contest since becoming a Commonwealth International champ in Jobes Boxing’s Titles on the Tyne jamboree in April. The Seaham 22-year-old faces Eliecer Quezada, who punch-lines had in front after his bout at Rainton Arena against Eduard Georgiev, though the Nicaraguan had to settle for a 38-all draw.
Rees too has what you would describe as live opposition in a fourth England v Wales affair. Newbiggin’s undefeated Northern Area light-welterweight champion must tackle former Welsh title holder Rashid Omar.
Owen’s Jobes Boxing comrade Rogers, who has reeled off eight straight wins in entertaining fashion, also boxes over six rounds against Miguel Monroy, from Guatemala.
It is good to see one of Jobes Boxing’s originals in action. Nathan Cummiskey, who was on the promoter’s second-ever pro show back in February 2022, has a test against Leon Entwisle, from Bolton.
Darlington’s Sophia ‘Mayhem’ Maycroft, who made a winning debut last month in Middlesbrough, will look to double her tally by beating Lancashire’s Sydney Chambers.
Following on from the success of Titles on the Tyne, which featured four championship bouts in April, this has two tasty battles, plus a multitude of talent, which is testament to Matty Jobes and Danny Harper.
For years North-East boxing was served magnificently by promoters of the calibre of (in alphabetical order) Tommy Conroy, Neil Fannan, Dave Garside, Phil Jeffries, Gus Robinson and Steve Wraith, and it’s marvellous to see Matty Jobes currently carrying the mantle.
“I don’t want it to sound like I’m blowing smoke here, but I’d like to think I’ve got a good reputation to try to help people,” Matty told punch-lines.
“It’s always been my goal to help all North-East boxers.
“It doesn’t matter who their coach or manager is.
“If we can progress their careers, then great, and we want good cards for the paying public.
“They spend their hard-earned cash to come along so our aim is to give them a good show and value for their money.
“I love Bobby to bits, he’s a great kid and boxer, especially the way he fights.
“The same goes for Cyrus – I’ve known him since he was a bairn when he started off at Grainger Park and then went to Birtley.
“He’s not just a top boxer, he’s a top lad.
“It’s fantastic to have them on our show.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
