16.1106 – Lenny Daws’ ‘First Defence’ of his British light welterweight title will now take place at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace on January 19th. Sky Sports will cover live. The Morden fighter was originally scheduled to meet his mandatory contender on October 20th at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, but Morrison withdrew on short notice with his representative Tommy Gilmour supplying a letter from a doctor stating that he was unable to compete because of ‘health problems.’
The postponement means Daws will have to train over Christmas. Typically, such a fate would prompt a raft of cheap PR about how the unfortunate boxer was going to have miss out on his brandy butter. Daws, however, is all business.
“It’s no big deal training over Christmas,” said the undefeated 28-year-old, who won the British title with a standout win over the highly regarded Nigel Wright in May.
“I’m a boxer, training is part of my life. I’m only in this game for a certain number of years so I will give it whatever it takes for that time. Something like this doesn’t worry me.
“I tick over all the time anyway and I don’t cut corners. I will go for a run on Christmas day like every other day. I’ll still get to pull a cracker; I’ll just have to keep off the bad stuff.
“I have been in the gym since the last fight got cancelled, so it’s just going to be a case of stepping it up at the right time. I’m naturally fit and my trainer Robert McCracken always gets me spot on.”
Along with his dedication, Daws’ conditioning is one of his prime assets. He has the ability to work at a relentless pace over championship distance, as he has already demonstrated on three occasions – despite only having had 14 fights.
As well as Wright, he has outworked both Colin Lynes and Oscar Hall, stepping on the gas to force them both to quit on their stools.
His high-octane style, aligned with his affable personality, has earned him an army of fans. Daws believes that the ‘Morden Massive’ will be even more in effect at Crystal Palace.
“It’s right on their doorstep,” he added. “It’s the closest one yet to Morden and a very easy drive. I have been told it’s a great venue; it’s going to be charged in there.”
Supporting Daws on the bill will be several of his team-mates from the increasingly successful Hennessy Sports squad.
In addition to the British 140lb champion, its members include WBC world champion Junior Witter, British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion and WBC #3 Carl Froch, British lightweight champion Lee Meager and upcoming challenger for the British middleweight title Howard Eastman.
It also features a raft of standout prospects including WBC Youth champion John Murray – recently crowned as the Boxing Writers’ Club Young Boxer of the Year – Junior Olympic Gold Medallist John O’Donnell and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Darren Barker, who now holds the Southern Area Title.
“Its good to be part of a team that’s doing well,” Daws continued. “There’s a winning feel to everything, as if we are all going somewhere. It makes you want to get in there and do the same.”
“First Defence” will now take place at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace on January 19th. Bill and ticket information will be announced shortly.
Stewart to face Allotey
Hennessy Sports promoted Dave Stewart can take a big step towards another title shot when he appears in the chief support contest on the Hennessy Sports ‘Outright’ promotion at the Nottingham Arena on November 24th.
The Wanstead based Scot will meet proven championship operator Kpakpo Allotey, from Ghana, in an eliminator for the Commonwealth lightweight title on the undercard of Carl Froch’s defence of his British super middleweight title against long-term rival Tony Dodson.
It will be his first outing since losing to Lee Meager earlier this year in a breathtaking affair for the British championship that has been nominated as one of the fights of the year.
Victory could see him line up an all-Scottish Commonwealth showdown against current holder Willie Limmond.
“It’s good to be straight back into a meaningful, long-distance fight against a quality operator,” said Stewart, on hearing the news that the Commonwealth Council had granted their approval.
“Titles are what I am after. This is a great opportunity for me to go a long way towards getting a fight with Willie. I know Willie, he is a great guy and I have got a lot of respect for him, but I would fancy my chances.”
It will soon be possible to draw a strong form-line – Limmond fought Allotey last time out.
Understandably Stewart, trained by Tony Sims, was a keen observer. Whilst he witnessed his countryman lift his first title, he came away impressed with his next opponent.
“Allotey is very tough, very strong and very wild,” he appraised. “He is very typical of fighters from that part of the world. He’s going to be a real handful, but he isn’t as polished as me.
“I’m expecting a long, hard fight – I always do. But I am a big lightweight so I’m not worried about his strength. I think I can handle that and I think I will win it on skill.”
Stewart’s preparation for the contest has been standout.
“Apart from a short break when I suffered a minor injury to my foot, I have been in the gym for 10 weeks now,” explained the 31-year-old who, at 6 foot, is a nightmare for any lightweight. “I’m feeling really well.
“I have actually been sparring Lee Meager. We have been helping each other out – he is training for his fight against Jon Thaxton in December. That kind of sparring is second to none.”
The Hennessy Sports ‘Outright’ event featuring Carl Froch and Dave Stewart takes place at the Nottingham Arena on November 24th. For tickets please call 0870 121 0123.
Froch, Meager, Eastman, Daws & Witter all in Championship action
A busy time lies ahead for Hennessy Sports.
The promotional company are set to stage three events headlined by team members defending British Titles in less than two months – all live on Sky Sports – and Junior Witter’s first defence of his WBC Light Welterweight Title early in the New Year.
Team member Howard Eastman is also scheduled to feature in a genuine championship; he fights for the vacant British Middleweight Title in mid-December.
Full schedule:
24th November 2006
Carl Froch vs. Tony Dodson
British super middleweight title
@ Nottingham Arena
Tickets: 0870 121 0123
Promoter: Hennessy Sports
8th December 2006
Lee Meager vs. Jon Thaxton
British Lightweight title
@ Goresbrook Leisure Centre
Tickets: 0870 060 1795
Promoter: Hennessy Sports
15th December 2006
Howard Eastman vs. Richard Williams
British Middleweight Title
@ York Hall, Bethnal Green
Tickets: 01277 359900
Promoter: Matchroom Sports
19th January 2007
Lenny Daws vs. Barry Morrison
British Light Welterweight Title
@ National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace
Tickets: 0870 060 1795 – on sale soon
Promoter: Hennessy Sports
February-March 2007
Junior Witter vs. TBA
WBC Light Welterweight Title
Promoter: Hennessy Sports
Full details to be announced