Amateurs and pros side-by-side (almost) by Tom Podmore Nov 2nd 2007

Birmingham-based Pugilist Promotions (the promotional company of former pro Jon Pegg and Chelmsley Wood ABC head-honcho John Costello) are to put on their debut bill at the Rojac Building in the Custard Factory, Birmingham, on Sunday, November 18. And its going to be a bit different from your run-of-the-mill boxing show. Even though it will be a separate show – in the eyes of the BBBofC at least – for the same ticket price you will get to see thirteen amateur boxing contests involving the talented stable from Chelmsley Wood Amateur Boxing Club and four professional bouts from Richie Woodhall's band of boxers. After the amateur boxing has concluded on this afternoon show in Birmingham's city centre, there will be a one-hour break before the professional boxing gets under way, probably around five. Although it was announced in 2004 that professional and amateur bouts were to finally happen on the same bill – mainly so Amir Khan could box on Frank Warren's shows, though it never happened as he went pro with him soon after – pro-am cards still aren't permitted in the United Kingdom. So, to make this clear, the amateur and professional shows are separate, albeit under the Pugilist Promotions banner. Both will, however, be included in the ticket price of £30 – excellent value for 17 punch-ups. The professional side of the card will see four up-and-coming local fighters continuing their career-development and, in D Mitchell's case, advancing towards his first professional title. Erdington light-middleweight ‘Sweet' D Mitchell, 6-1 (2), goes in his second six-threes and looks to get back into the win column after an injury to his eardrum against London-based Latvian Gatis Skuja – a fight Delroy was controlling before being retired in the fifth – snapped his unbeaten run last time out. Tenacious Skuja, on a decent run since that ‘win' over the 30-year-old Brummie, may well be the man switch-hitting Richie Woodhall-trained Mitchell ends up fighting in two weeks time. Pegg said: “D was understandably disappointed about losing his 100 per cent record, but had won all four completed rounds when the injury arrived so knows he has the measure of Gatis. “He'll get back to winning ways on November 18.” Touted Chelmsley Wood welterweight Thomas ‘The Natural' Costello, trained by dad and co-promoter John and Richie Woodhall, will see professional action for the third time over four rounds. Unbeaten at 2-0 (one quick win), Costello fought at the World Cadets and was a Junior ABA and Four Nations champion as an amateur. He has looked a hard-hitting, measured talent since his explosive professional debut in April. He blew away durable Deniss Sirjatovs in only 85 seconds, decking him with body-assaults, and then learnt a few things when he outpointed durable Brummie puncher Jason Nesbitt, competing in pro fight 81, in his last outing in July. The Birmingham teenager also went over to Gleason's Gym in New York to further his paid education, getting a glowing reference from IBF world ten-stone champ Paulie Malignaggi in the process. Said ambitious but level-headed Costello: “I'm not in any rush for titles and want to learn about the pro side of the sport, fight often, stay undefeated and move my record up to about 10-0 by the end of next year. “After that, though, I would like to be in a position for a crack at a title. I want to do things traditionally, so Midland Area, English, British, Commonwealth, European then a world belt. “It would be a dream to bring a respected world title to Birmingham.” Also on the four-fight pro bill is talented if cut-prone Birmingham cruiserweight Tommy ‘The Gun' Owens, 1-1 (0), who made an unfortunate start to his paid career when he was forced to retire with a cut after only two minutes in June. However, the tall Richie Woodhall-coached Northfield fighter easily outpointed Hull dangerman Tony Booth in his second pro outing – taking all four rounds and impressing behind a solid jab and follow-up right. Owens admits: “A couple of years down the road I'd like to have had 10 or 12 fights and be in a position to fight for a title of some description, be it something like the British Masters or Midland Area. “I really want to bring titles back to the gym and to Birmingham. I want to make people proud of me. I know what I am capable of and now it's my time to start proving it. “I am desperate to emulate my heroes – men like Richie Woodhall and Evander Holyfield – and win a title.” And Pegg, matchmaker for several promoters around Britain, added: “Tommy has problem with cuts – losing his debut and being forced out of action in September after being sliced open in sparring – but is skilful and we have plans for him.” The ambitious 24-year-old former Ladywood ABC ticket-seller, also seeing professional action for the third time, will go to battle over four. One scrapper that co-promoter Jon Pegg is getting particularly exciting about is hard-hitting Bartley Green light-heavyweight Eddie McIntosh, 1-0 (1). Eddie sold 110 tickets at a £100 each on his pro debut and is guaranteed to bring a large following with him from the south of the city for this open show. He goes over six with current British Masters light-heavyweight champion Mark Phillips. After an exciting amateur career, the Richie Woodhall-trained Brummie, a relation of the famed Bert Gilroy, made an impressive splash on his professional bow at Birmingham's Holiday Inn in September – literally knocking out durable Nicky Taylor inside two rounds. “I've never seen Taylor so pumped-up for a fight,” said former pro bantamweight Pegg. “He had a ripped, muscular stomach, an indication that he'd trained hard, and made it clear he was coming to Birmingham with the intention of winning. “Taylor has a good chin, only usually stopped with bodyshots, but Eddie backed him up, kept on him and ferociously knocked him out with hammer-fisted punches to the jaw.” “He has his second outing against Mark Phillips on our bill. It's a good scrap for Eddie – fighting someone who can let him get a few rounds under his belt. Phillips is a durable ten-round operator and will give him a little test. “His fights will guarantee excitement and is definitely one to watch. Contact Jon Pegg on 07939-007588 or John Costello on 07949-812948 for ticket information.

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