Two Southern Area title fights lead the way with the latest Goodwin offering in association with Budgen Boxing this Saturday 18th March at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
Both fights are 50/50 on paper and whilst may promoters claim 50/50 fights when they are clearly not these two fights would be pick em if priced up by bookmakers.
Back in 2019 when Ryan Walker boxed out of the home corner (neither boxer was a Goodwin fighter at this time) he recorded a close 97-94 victory over Peter Mirga on referee Ian John Lewis’ card. 3 ½ years on and Peter Mirga who is now a Goodwin managed fighter looks to seek revenge. This is his first fight under the Goodwin banner and preparation under Mark Massow has been perfect. Walker has been the more active fighter of late but has suffered 3 losses out of four fights since his victory over Mirga, albeit at a high level in two fights (Lee McGregor, Paul Butler) and most recently Jordan Purkiss for the Bantamweight version of the area belt. It is an intriguing contest is the advantage with the fresher Mirga or the more experienced but more shopworn Walker. What you do know is the crowd are in for a treat.
The second title fight sees Goodwin Boxings Denis Dekikajev (9-0-1) defend his Southern Area title against tough Tom Ansell (10-2). Denikajev has done nothing wrong in his pro career so far and won the title in July 2022 with a fifth round stoppage of former area champion ID Hill. Ansell fell short in his last step up when he lost 96-94 on referee Lee Everys card when boxing Sajid Abid in an eliminator for the English title. Abid has gone on since that fight winning a final eliminator against Mikey Sakyi so that loss does not look bad on Ansell’s resume. Once again a fight that cannot do anything but thrill the crowd.
Another exciting fight over 6 rounds sees Streetwise Management’s Ahmed Hatim (4-0) take on Kirk Stevens (4-3). Stevens is coming off three straight wins after winning a Prizefighter style competition in the West Midlands and is determined to maintain his winning run. Ahmed is considered one of the countries top lightweight prospects and is going up in weight to take this fight. Again another bout that should captivate the crowd.
Super-Lightweight George Hennon (7-1) is a young man with a big future. Joined Goodwin Boxing in 2022 and has rattled off 3 straight wins including one KO. Highly regarded by manager Steve Goodwin he has suffered another pull out from an original opponent in the last week and now boxes Bulgarian Illiyan Markov over 6 rounds.
We see the exciting return of Jerome “Stay Ready” Campbell. It is 3 years since we last saw Campbell in the ring where he took current WBC Silver Champion Nick Ball the distance in what on reflection was an excellent display. “Stay ready” is back and looking for titles. He takes on Daryl Tapfuma in a 4 round contest at lightweight.
“Super” Youssef Khoumari (14-1-1) managed by Dillian Whyte has been very inactive with only one bout in the last 18 months. He boxes a six-round contest against Rustem Fatkhullin before hoping to get an eliminator for a major title.
The Graham Everett trained/managed Mikey Webster-Kane (6-0) has been very impressive in his career to date and taken on Cristian Narvaez over 6 rounds at lightweight.
Ellis Steward, son of trainer Terry, is 2-0 and has a big future ahead of him. He has a 4-round contest against the tough Fernando Valencia.
Super Welterweight Shocki Khan from Aylesbury has been impressive in his four contests and wins to date and takes on George Rogers in a 4 round contest whilst Kents Ronnie Mulock (1-0) has his second contest in the pro ranks when he takes on experienced trial horse Michael Mooney over 4 rounds to complete the card.
What a night ahead for boxing fans.
