After a 12 months of stunning success, Nathan Cleverly has bagged this year’s Boxing Writers’ Young Boxer of the Year award. The 23-year-old British and former European light-heavyweight champion triumphed in the prestigious annual poll, hot off his stunning victory over Karo Murat this month in Birmingham. It makes up for last year when he lost out to stable-mate Kell Brook by just one vote. The award caps a remarkable year for Cleverly, who not only picked up the European belt and graduated from university in pure mathematics, but also moved into poll position for a crack at the WBO world title..
He joins the likes of Kell Brook, Derry Mathews, Amir Khan, Enzo Maccarinelli, Kevin Mitchell, Scott Harrison, Alex Arthur, Michael Gomez, Ricky Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Nigel Benn, Keith Wallace and Errol Christie, as boxers who have won the Young Boxer of the Year award under the guidance of Frank Warren.
And he is just the ninth Welshman to have picked up the honour.
“I’m am delighted and honoured to have won,” said undefeated Cleverly.
“Britain has some of the most knowledgeable journalists in the world when it comes to boxing, and their backing is a terrific boost.
“Now I have to repay their faith by winning a world title.”
Warren, who has overseen the formative years of nine of the last 11 winners, added: “This award reflects the hard work that Nathan has put in over the last 12 months, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.
“I said after his last fight that he will be remembered alongside the likes of Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton, and I am expecting big things of him over the next year or so.
Tew hot to handle!
Undefeated Matty Tew maintained his unbeaten record after stopping Pavel Senkovs last Saturday at the Flemming Park Leisure Centre in Eastleigh. It was clear from the opening bell that both fighters were determined to take their opponent out and the fight would be a classic tear up. Unfortunately for Senkovs, local favourite Tew had both too much quality and Power. Tew, who is based in Southampton, has now raked up a record of three wins without loss and has built up a legion of dedicated fans who come to watch his every fight.
On October 14th Tew will travel to London to fight at the Millennium Hotel in London to box on his manager Mickey Helliet’s black tie dinner show hosted by the Mayfair Sporting Club in what should be a fierce showdown on a great night of boxing.
Tickets to go and support Matty Tew are available from him on 07841880538 or at www.mayfairsportingclub.com
Coombs makes his Mark!
Four time county finalist and 2009 southern counties open class finalist Mark Coombs made a stunning start to his professional career last Saturday at the Flemming Park Leisure centre in Eastleigh and looks after a stunning knock out victory in his pro debut. as. After a successful career as an amateur it was no surprise when Coombs turned professional earlier this year, signing a management deal with London based promoter Mickey Helliet who manages over forty boxers including flyweight sensation Ashley Sexton and Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams.
Coombs who was born in Truro, Cornwall now and now trains in Portsmouth with Coach Michael Ballingall has a good understanding of the hard work and dedication required “now that I’ve signed as a professional I realise its going to take a lot of committment which I am prepared to give. I have a lot to learn but have got off to a good start and I am really looking forward to the next steps in my boxing career.”
Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng On Webb-Concepcion October 16th Undercard
Light Middleweight sensation Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng is back in action on Saturday October 16th on the undercard of Sam Webb’s defence of his British Light Middleweight title, against Martin Concepcion, at the Frank Maloney promoted ‘True British Fighters’ double title event at The Troxy, Commercial Road, London E1.
Ochieng, who under the watchful eyes of his manager/coach Brian Lawrence has been regularly sparring with Sam Webb, at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, as part of the Champ’s preparations, was last in action just a few weeks ago, at the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘It’s Personal’ event on September 11th, where in the clear ‘Fight of the Night’ he plain out boxed the experienced Alex Spitko for four rounds before swooping in to finish the fight with just 19 seconds of the fourth to go.
Following one of the sparring sessions, with Sam Webb, ‘The Eagle’ took a little time to talk about the Spitko fight, his upcoming fight on October 16th and sparring with Sam Webb. “First of all I thank god for the victory, it was awesome. I stayed alert and just boxed. I knew he was a tough fighter so I stayed focused and just used my jab.
First round I came out quick using my jab. He was heavier than me and I didn’t want him to get to my body.
Second round I slowed down and picked my punches laded a sweet, good uppercut and in the fourth round… The Eagle landed. I knocked him down, he came back up, I went straight back in with a couple of heavy body shots and the referee stopped it.
I had great support. I’d like to thank my supporters, They were very vocal singing “Eagle, Eagle, Eagle” from start to finish, you know. Yeah my support was awesome.
It was a great fight, but you’ve yet to see the best of me.
For my next fight on the 16th October, on the Frank Maloney show, I don’t know who I’ll be fighting yet, but I know I’ll be winning.
I’ve been sparring with Sam Webb. He’s the British Champion so it’s real good sparring for me. I’m loving it. It’s a real challenge and can only make me better. Quality sparring like this with a champion like Sam is something else, it lifts your game, it’s awesome.”
Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng, against a yet to be named opponent, will be on the under card of the Frank Maloney promoted ‘True British Fighters’ double title show headlined by Sam Webb’s defense of his British Light Middleweight title against Martin Concepcion.
Co-feature on the October 16th at The Troxy, Commercial Road, London E1, show is Jamie Arthur and Kris Matthew Hughes who will be battling for the vacant Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title.
The loaded undercard features, in addition to Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng, a heavyweight triple bill starring David Price, Tom Dallas and Larry Olubamiwo plus Joe Hughes, Shane Enright, Lewis Pettitt, Ashley Sexton and Martin Welsh all against yet to be named opponents. The ‘True British Fighters’ card also features a Middleweight clash between Tony Hill and Kevin Concepcion.
Tickets for ‘True British Fighters’ at The Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, Limehouse, London E1 on Saturday 16th October 2010 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £85 (Ringside).
For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.