Beech returns with a Sunday four-rounder
JAMES Beech Jnr is hoping a change of surroundings will give his career a much-needed boost.
He and his new coaching team will get their first test on Sunday, December 3, at the Hangar, Wolverhampton.
It has been a difficult year for the 26-year-old, with back-to-back stoppage losses to Nathaniel Collins in March and Hopey Price in July.
These defeats forced the Bloxwich man to re-evaluate his coaching set up and make the tough choice to leave trainer Pete Hickenbottom who has guided him since he turned pro seven years ago. He has decided to make the switch across town moving to the BCB Gym in Wednesbury under the tutelage of Errol Johnson and Paul Mann.
“It was a mutual decision in the end,” said Beech Jnr. “My last fight I just felt really flat, couldn’t get going and I know I am better than the performance I put in.
I felt OK against Collins, I was just caught with a good body shot. But it was different with Price, I should have been well up for that one and I just wasn’t. We had a good conversation and decided it was the best thing for me to make a change and make the move for the second half of my career.”
The former two-time British title challenger has regularly taken difficult fights on the road and being the B side on major televised shows has meant he hasn’t boxed at home for two years.
It feels like Beech Jnr has been around a long time, but Sunday will only be his 21st fight as a professional. He turned over whilst still a teenager after picking up an excellent 50 wins as an amateur for Pleck ABC.
The featherweight won his first eight bouts before successfully challenging for the vacant Midlands title, stopping Louis Fielding in the ninth.
A defence of his belt against Luke Jones followed before he landed a British title shot against another Midlander, Brad Foster. The fight took place during the pandemic in front an empty arena at the BT Studios in London. Beech Jnr boxed well but came up short, losing a points decision and his unbeaten record.
Since then, he has been beaten by Chris Bourke and the highly touted Dennis McCann before picking up a career best win against Raza Hamza in Coventry.
“It’s a fight I need, even though it’s only a four rounder. I have had some very tough bouts and have flogged my body around recently, picking up a few cuts and stoppage losses along the way. It’s been really enjoyable being in the gym for this one and I know I need to build up the confidence and get some momentum going into next year.
“I feel really up for this, boxing close to home and getting to show the things we have been working on in the gym. After this, I want another big one in 2024 and I know I will be in a much better position when that time comes.
Tickets for the Hangar show are £40 standard and £75 VIP Ringside, available from the boxers directly or by emailing ticketing@bcb-promotions.com.