Beech now needs to consider ring future

James Beech…fought with typical bravery in Belfast. Pic: MSN Images

JAMES Beech’s performance in Belfast last weekend is old news.

In a social media age of instant information, instant gratification, it was old news within 30 minutes of James being pulled out at the end of the seventh of his bout with unbeaten, but relatively untested, Kurt Walker.

The internet has made mere fight reports – without analysis or interviews – redundant.

It also gives a distorted view of the facts. In boxing, it can give participants a false sense of security.

I have read the comments following Beech’s brave – and the man possesses a heart as big as a bucket – stand against Walker for something called the WBA Continental Europe featherweight title.

They all talk of his heart and grit.

They are correct. Cut around the left eye in the third, James gave it his all, he was the aggressor for periods until a big right had him in trouble in the seventh. It was certainly competitive.

But those comments candy-coat the reality.

Walker, now unbeaten in 11, is a talent, but the opposition had been pretty undemanding before facing James. The Irishman’s only other inside distance win came in his debut – that suggests he’s not heavy handed.

Do I think the James Beech of three years ago would’ve been stopped by Walker – and, remember, James has stated his corner stepped in because of the eye injuries?

No, I don’t.

Do I, in all honesty, think James, only 26, should continue with his career?

No, I don’t.

That’s because I don’t want to see Beech, an immensely likeable individual, becoming a gate-keeper, a man there to put a significant name on prospects’ records.

And I’m not sure where Beech’s career is going? If it is driven by a desire to earn money, there are safer ways to earn money.

James lacked true KO power during his best days as a super-bantam. Is he going to be stronger, more powerful against bigger men at feather?

Logically, no.

Two weight Midlands champ Beech has enjoyed an exemplary career, the highlight being a magnificent bid for Brad Foster’s British super-bantam belt in 2020.

Since then, the sole highlight has been a 2022 win over Raza Hamza – a fighter with a long unbeaten run, but totally untested before the contest.

When James has stepped up to top domestic level, he’s been beaten. Is he now an improved boxer capable of stepping up and being successful?

Think on that.

He looked flat in losing to Chris Bourke. Dennis McCann simply hit too hard and stopped James in the eighth. With the British featherweight title on the line, Nathaniel Collins halted him with a body shot in seven. Then trainer Peter Hickenbottom pulled him out at the end of the seventh of his clash with Hopey Price.

All the above winners, I suggest, had better credentials than Kurt Walker.

I’m sure a host of unbeaten prospects will want to face James. Therefore, he can still earn good money.

But I would urge Beech, after 22 fights, to resist the temptation.

He has achieved more than most. He has done the Black Country proud. But history shows there is an inherent danger in boxer’s attempting to recapture what has been lost by taking tough fights against top lads.

Stay too long and you can pay a heavy price years later.

The alternative is to step down a level and partake in six rounders on small hall shows. Beech has too good a pedigree for that and I’m sure that’s not what he wants.

Whether he continues or not is a decision for Beech and his BCB team.

But Belfast would be a fitting farewell to a fine fighter: a courageous stand against an unbeaten lad in a title fighter.

At the very least, I’d like James, who has a young family, to think hard about the future.

There’s a lot to be said about bowing out at the top.