Can big-time boxing return to the West Midlands? by Tom Podmore Jun 6th 2006

Can big-time boxing return to the West Midlands? That's the question that boxing fans, local fighters and promoters alike have asked themselves for years now, after all the talk, can they finally make it happen? It would seem so. With more shows than ever being put on in the heart of the country, it seems as if the West Midlands boxing fraternity are doing there level best to stand up and be counted. Couple that with new promoters emerging, all with the same agenda of putting the West Midlands back on the boxing map, the future looks bright. The West Midlands and in particular Birmingham has produced a fair share of exciting and talented fighters over the years, but in the last ten years the big shows and the quality fighters have dried up. The last truly big fight night (involving a world title) in Birmingham happened in 1994 when Nigel Benn fought Juan Carlos Giminez in defence of his WBC world crown. Since then Manchester has emerged as the number one ‘Fight City' in the UK. A night that saw trouble in the crowd, when local boy Rob McCracken defended his British title against Manchester's Steve Foster. That seemed to be the last straw with promoters, and since then Birmingham has been left behind. Sadly, on the recent British and Commonwealth unification fight bill in Birmingham - between Young Mutley and Kevin Anderson - trouble flared up between sets of fans, supporting Mutley and Anderson. This recent episode once again cast's doubt on Birmingham's big fight future. If this is the case, then the fight fans – I use that term loosely – have shot themselves in the foot, as Birmingham was once again being scouted as a city where big-fights could be held once more. Wayne Elcock was dismayed at what he saw on the night: “ I was disappointed as it tarnished a great night of boxing, and bar the main event result, from a neutral point of view it was a good advert for our city. I sincerely hope it does not put us back too much with my hopes of fighting in my city on a regular basis”. The West Midlands have produced some good fighters over the years. British, Commonwealth, and European champion Pat Cowdell, British champion Bunny Johnson, WBC world champion Richie Woodhall (born in Birmingham, but based in Telford). British and Commonwealth champion Rob McCracken. Although the talent pool in the Midlands seems to have dried up in the last few years, there is plenty of talent out there, be it in the amateur ranks or the professional game. In the amateurs, Birmingham has two of the most exciting prospects out there: Lightweight Frankie Gavin and Flyweight Don Broadhurst. 20-year-old Gavin, from the Yardley area of the city won Commonwealth gold at the recent games in Melbourne, and has been courted by the biggest promoters in British boxing. Broadhurst, from Aston, believes he is good enough to win the British flyweight title right now, maybe a tad overboard, but you've got to admire his confidence. Birmingham, is seen as a city where all the journeymen come from, ‘The lovable loser city', ‘they only produce journeymen', as I once overheard someone at a show say. That infuriates the whole boxing fraternity in the Midlands, and myself. Trainer Nobby Nobbs put it best, when asked about the dearth of talent in the city: “No-one is interested in taking up boxing in this city. They are all out taking drugs, or riding around in gangs”. The city needs to change that perception if the big-fights are to return. Its about chances in professional boxing and the Midlands seem to be the “outback”. The boxing wilderness, if you will. None of the major promoters (Sports Network, Fight Academy, Hennessy sports, etc.) put shows on in the West Midlands. Birmingham has the arenas to stage big-time boxing. The National Exhibition Centre (NEC), a venue that's easy to access from all over the country and big enough to stage a Ricky Hatton fight! The National Indoor Arena (NIA), was used to stage fights of great magnitude years ago (same as the NEC) and indeed one of the biggest and most anticipated fights in British boxing history, the first clash between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank was staged in the city. I can see the reasons why the promoters are unwilling to stage the fights in Birmingham- they have a proven fan base in Manchester, London and Nottingham, but given the chance the fans would arrive. Remember they did all those years ago. If the boxers in the West Midlands continue in the same vein as the have recently the area could see a whole host of British and Commonwealth champions. West Bromwich puncher Young Mutley a.k.a. Lee Woodley brought success back with him when travelling to Nottingham in January, with a twelve-round decision over undefeated Michael Jennings, a fight which earned him the British title. A loss to Kevin Anderson shouldn't dampen the Midlander's aspirations; he was in charge of most of the fight, against a very capable opponent. He showed he had the heart and tools to compete with the best in Britain. The area has champions in all levels, Area, British Masters, English and until recently a British champion. Rob Norton is in pole position for the vacant British cruiserweight title, and with talk of Carl Wright of Rugby facing him for that title, the reality is that the West Midlands will have a British champion soon. Two new promoters have emerged on the Midlands boxing scene in 2006, with both men setting out their agendas for the coming years “ Bring big-time boxing back to Birmingham”. The new faces, Paul “PJ” Rowson fronts “PJ Promotions” and Ken Purchase who fronts “Ringside Promotions”. They will join established promoters, Pat Cowdell, Errol Johnson, and Dave Bradley in keeping boxing alive in the Midlands area. “PJ” has already put on a number of shows this year and is drawing very good crowds with evenly matched fights- always a good sign. Ken Purchase has already signaled his intentions by staging his first show on May 6th. A successful show saw, Wayne Elcock gaining revenge over Lawrence Murphy at the plush International Convention Centre (ICC), in the heart of Birmingham City centre. Matthew Macklin has a very big fan base in his native city. Although he has only boxed once in Birmingham, he is pleased at the way his fans have kept their patience with him, as he looks to bring glory back to Birmingham. Macklin is booked to fight Salford's British light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore in the summer – 21st July is the date provisionally set. A win in that fight should mean defences in Birmingham. Now promoted by Brian Peters and Matchroom sport. Brian Peters recently said: “Once he's taken the title from Moore he'll be back in Birmingham for his first defence. I've done a promotional deal with Barry Hearn which will see Matthew fight in Birmingham on a regular basis and there's no doubt that Matthew has the talent and the personality to revive boxing in the city.” The whole boxing fraternity has high hopes for Macklin, who as an amateur won a senior ABA title at 18. Middleweight Wayne Elcock, a proud-brummie has only boxed twice in his home city as a professional, but he hopes to change that soon. He boxed at the ICC in May in a British title eliminator, beating up former conqueror Lawrence Murphy for 4-rounds, before desposing him clinically in the 5th. A rematch with Scott Dann looms and he hopes to lure the champion to Birmingham to defend his crown. Elcock said “I want to take on Dann in my own backyard and prove that there is plenty of life left in the “mad-dog” yet” A man who is surely closing in on a British title shot is undefeated Dudley boxer Darren McDermott. The middleweight has impressed all that have seen him, with his “pressure-boxing”. The Midland area champion has scored two brilliant wins in his last two fights. Stopping Andy Halder and Michael Monaghan, both retiring on their stools after taking a beating. A domestic clash with fellow Midlander Wayne Elcock would sell thousands of tickets. Former British champion Young Mutley was a secret in boxing, until he exploded onto the scene, winning the British title live on ITV4. A powerful fighter, he is dangerous with either hand, and is one of the strongest fighters in boxing today. He made the first defence of his title on the 1st June. Although he lost, he proved himself to be capable and highly dangerous with his left-hook, and if he can get another shot at a title of some sort, he's more than confident he can prove himself again. Coventry Middleweight Steve Bendall is the English champion and he too is closing in on a British title shot. A fighter with bags of potential. He wants to fight the other Midlands middleweight boxers to see who is the best. That would be welcomed. Stuart Elwell is undefeated in seven, and won the Midland Area title in only his 6th fight! That's some achievement. Let's see how far the Darlaston fighter can go. Boxing is big in the Midlands, lets hope with the right backing and support that 2006 sees the start of a revival, which will last for many years to come.

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

Friend name: Friend email: Your name: Your email:   Privacy Statement

West Midlands Nov 3rd 2006, 11:27:10 by wolvesladandy The west midlands is not just Birmingham. Granted its the main city but we have Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley all capable of hosting big time boxing. We have some excellent venues in the west midlands. There seems to have been trouble though in Bham, which is maybe why they dont get the chance   birmingham Sep 2nd 2006, 10:49:56 by evisulee yeh we need boxing back in the number 1 city - birmingham!!   Good Story Jun 6th 2006, 13:51:34 by pyenest77 It does make you wonder why Birmingham has never attracted the fights it seems to me that no one has ever invested in the game there. it would be good if these new promoters could just do that. Lets keep our fingers crossed.