Portman ready to take British title by Tom Podmore Dec 7th 2007

West Bromwich southpaw Marcus Portman is intent on winning the vacant British light-middleweight title on Saturday (December 8) and join in on what could be one of the greatest three days in Midlands boxing history. Portman boxes Welling's Gary Woolcombe for the British title vacated by Jamie Moore on a Sky-televised bill in Wigan (a PPV undercard to Hatton-Mayweather) and Wayne Elcock challenges for the IBF world middleweight title against Arthur Abraham in Switzerland on the same night. The tall, skilled, tattooed portsider's stablemates, Wolverhampton's Dean Harrison and Walsall's Martin Gethin (both undefeated), box in Las Vegas tonight and, if all four come through successfully, it will be the biggest weekend for the Midlands, Birmingham and the Black Country since boxing records began. For Portman, 18-5-1 (3), the British title would be the perfect Christmas present after a turbulent past 12 months which has seen him locked up, move gyms (defecting to Richie Woodhall's camp), move back, and win and defend the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) strap. The Birmingham-born doorman has won all six of his fights (one inside) since making a comeback from a two-year hiatus in the summer of 2006. 17 months after that comeback win over durable centurion Peter Dunn, Marcus could be the holder of the British belt. But in order to grab the belt he must overcome touted Gary ‘Hot Stuff' Woolcombe, a skilful, all-action fighter who has only tasted defeat once in 25 paid outings (nine quickly). The former Southern Area and British Masters champion is in good nick – he was set to fight last week until this unexpected call to arms – and starts a slight favourite. Not that it bothers the Errol Johnson-trained southpaw, however, who started as the underdog in two of his last three outings. He likes the underdog role (little pressure) and is adamant no one has seen the best of him yet. After starting his career as a 19-year-old beanpole super-featherweight, Portman suffered a few defeats – including a points deficit to future Commonwealth lightweight champ Willie Limond – but kept plugging away and found some form after moving up to welterweight in 2001. Former Commonwealth boss Scott Dixon was outscored, as were Sammy Smith, then-undefeated Gavin Wake, Andy Egan and dangerous Richard Swallow for the British Masters title in 2004. Those wins convinced the board to give him a vacant English welterweight title shot against former British champ Chris Saunders in the spring of 2004. However, it turned out to be a disaster for Marcus – sent to the canvas three times and mauled in less than one session in Sheffield. Heartbroken, Portman drifted out of the boxing gym and in to the bodybuilding gym. Now he bids to be the second West Bromwich fighter in two years to reign as British champion, stablemate Young Mutley having won the belt at welterweight in early 2006. Again, as with Mutley, the Midlands man enters the lions den as an underdog. A good omen, perhaps? There can be little doubt that Portman has looked a more improved, polished and calm performer since his return. Hyped puncher George Hillyard was expected to bulldoze through the Black Country-based stylist on his way to a title shot. Portman, as ever, had other ideas. Instead, the Canning Town prospect, who'd go on to pick-up the British Masters belt, was out-jabbed, out-punched and out-thought by the busier man, conceding a deserved (many thought it was wider) 77-76 from Bob Williams. And the 27-year-old looked a million dollars in the biggest fight in his career at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in July. While friend and stablemate Young Mutley slumped to an eight-round stoppage defeat against Colin Lynes, Marcus put in a near faultless display to tear the WBF eleven-stone belt from Hungarian Jozsef Matolcsi. In fact, just like this British title fight, Portman was given just over a week's notice to challenge Matolcsi. Firing off his punches first, jabbing, switching hooks from body to head and rolling under the mallet-fisted Magyar's replies, the six-footer was in control throughout. He sliced the champion open and the referee, former pro Ian John-Lewis, halted the action after six one-sided rounds due to the severity of the wound. He defended his belt against the same man in October in Peterlee, dumping the challenger on the deck in the fifth and retaining his strap unanimously after twelve. The scores saw the West Brom-based boxer retain by margins of 13 (twice) and 12 rounds. But Marcus realises the former two-time Junior ABA champ and Young England rep is a more adaptable, talented fighter than the strong, one-paced and flat-footed Eastern European he has battered twice. Only beaten by octopus-like Wolverhampton-born puncher Andrew Facey (stoppage in five), neat Gary – a good all-rounder who, like Clinton Woods, doesn't stand-out in any department but has a good average in every area – outscored current Commonwealth middleweight boss Darren Barker in the vest. The Frank Maloney-promoted boxer holds win over the likes of Lee Murtagh, banger Delroy Mellis, former WBU middleweight champ Eugenio Monteiro, Gilbert Eastman and Jason Rushton in the professional ranks. No mug, then. But Portman knows he can win. “I respect Woolcombe, but I know I can step up to the mark and take the British title back to the West Midlands,” said the First Team-promoted scrapper, who accepted the title crack after making the weight last Friday afternoon. “I wanted to fight for the British or Commonwealth titles next year but my chance has come along quicker than expected and I intend to grab the opportunity with both hands. “While it's a last minute chance, I am always in good shape and you can't pass up on a British title shot – whenever the chance comes calling,” he said. “Lee (Mutley) won the belt at welterweight in 2006 and he was a great inspiration for everyone at the gym. It would be a dream to be the second fighter from the Wednesbury gym to win the Lonsdale belt in less than two years. “I'm under no illusions – it's definitely going to be a tough scrap. But I know that I will win and then defend my title in front of a home crowd in 2008,” continued Marcus, who requested 100 tickets for the show in Greater Manchester. “I have always said I have so much more to offer and I am far, far more professional these days which will show in my performance in Wigan on Saturday evening.”

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