Wale gets Khalid test tonight by Dan Foster Dec 5th 2007

Barnsley super-bantamweight prospect Josh Wale faces the first real test of his career tonight when he squares off against South Yorkshire rival Mo Khalid on Dave Coldwell's Don Valley promotion. The Central Area super-bantamweight title is on the line. The 19-year-old former England amateur stand-out has so far impressed against the usual suspects in his nascent career (4-0, one early). With an aggressive, high pressure style and eye-catching body-punching, good judges are tipping him to be challenging the top names on the domestic scene sooner rather than later. And whilst Wale himself is not in any rush to run before he can walk, he is very clear about what he wants to achieve in the long-run. ‘I desperately want to win a Lonsdale belt. My dad, who's trained me since I was a kid, he's asked met get him a Lonsdale and I think it's definitely within my capabilities. There's no rush but at the same time there's a not a massive amount of depth to the division domestically. But my manager, Dave Coldwell, knows what he's doing and he'll guide me along at the right pace and not push me too soon. I trust him to make those decisions at the right time.' Coldwell has high hopes for Wale and believes that a British title should be the least of his goals. ‘Josh is so strong it's unbelievable. He's still got a lot to learn but the potential he's got is amazing. His dad does a great job with him and so we'll just bring him along nicely. ‘The medium term aim is to get that British title and I really can't see any reason why he won't achieve that. Once that's done we'll look to take him forward from there and see what he can do. But I really have got high hopes for Josh'. If Wale's name seems familiar, it's worth pointing out that older brother Gwyn had a respectable pro career, compiling a 6-3-1 ledger. He now helps train Josh. It's all been plain sailing in the paid ranks so far, but Team Wale are at pains to point out that they will not be underestimating their next opponent. Although Khalid's 1-5-1 slate is not on its face impressive, Coldwell knows that the Wincobank switch-hitter, 19, is a dangerous opponent. ‘Mo has been in with some decent kids and had to fight away from home a lot. He's quite strong and all those Ingle kids can box so we know he'll be a difficult opponent. But we've got a game-plan to counteract Khalid's slippy style and we know that there is no way that the kid can stand and trade with Josh because Josh is just so strong. I'm very confident that Josh will put that plan into practice and get a good result, hopefully a mid-to-late rounds stoppage.' But Khalid's trainer Dominic Ingle does not see this fight in the same way, and is quietly confident that his charge will come out on top. ‘Mo has done 10 rounds and lots of three-minute rounds. It doesn't matter what Wale has done in the gym, there is just no substitute for live rounds in a live fight. Mo's got that in the tank and he can really box, too. His record does not in any way reflect his talent and we still expect him, despite his slow start, to have an excellent career and get up there in the end. ‘The other thing that's different this time is that Mo has been able to prepare properly for this fight and train with an opponent in mind. He's not a late-notice replacement or fighting on foreign turf. I think he'll outbox and outlast Wale and I fancy him to take it on points.' Whoever finishes the night with his arm raised, it makes a refreshing change to see two talented young prospects on the way up meeting in meaningful fight. Whatever the outcome, you get the impression both boys will come out stronger men for the experience.  Tickets for tonight's show at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, which starts at 7.30 will be available on the door.

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.