Ben closes in on Midlands crown
Vaughan (left) gets hometown date
BEN Vaughan has vowed to keep hitting opponents where it hurts as he nudges closer to his first title opportunity as a pro.
He engages in hometown action when BCB Promotions host their next show at the Park Inn Hotel, Northampton town centre, on Friday, February 24.
Vaughan had hoped to be challenging for the vacant Midlands light-welter title in December against Ben Fields, but the contest never took place.
The 23-year-old southpaw instead looks to go 5-0, as a pro, after coming close to a maiden TKO in each of his last two outings, where he dropped both opponents.
Vaughan is looking to recreate the success he enjoyed as an amateur, where he won 54 out of 68 bouts, with all but one fight representing Kings Heath Boxing Club.
He became a four-time national champion, going all the way in the England Schools, Juniors (twice) and Youth tournaments.
Vaughan turned pro last year and outpointed Ezequiel Gregores, through a four-round points whitewash, before repeating the trick against Naeem Ali.
He dropped Carl Turvey, in his third pro affair, and also put Liam Fox on the canvas last time out, with his trusty left hand causing some damage.
His area title aspirations may have temporarily been put on the back-burner, but Vaughan is still thinking big as he attempts to improve his pro ledger.
He said: “We tried hard to get a Midlands title shot but, so close to Christmas, it didn’t end up happening. Ben Fields was lined up, but then he couldn’t do it.
“As it got closer and closer to the date, we tried to get another opponent, but I wasn’t going to be on the show if it wasn’t for a title. I got the feeling it wasn’t to be.
“A lot of potential opponents were tapering down (for the festive break) and would have wanted a serious training camp, so it was difficult to find someone.
“It was decided that I’d wait until the New Year, be a part of this bill in Northampton and go from there. I still want to get a title this year and start moving up the levels.
“It will have been three months since I went up against a tough lad from the RAF. I have to give him credit, on his debut, for stepping up to the challenge.
“We couldn’t find much information about him, apart from a short video clip, which was about 20 or 30 seconds long, of him fighting, but you could tell that he knew how to box.
“I dropped him, with a left hand to the body, in the second round and I thought that I’d go through the gears and get the stoppage. He got through it and I didn’t gas out, either.
“I might have pushed for it too much and not seen more openings, but I’m still learning the pro game, although I’ve got plenty of amateur experience.
“I’ve boxed for most of my life, so no situation really fazes me. Through all of those years in the amateur game, it’s all second nature to me. I don’t really get nervous.
“I’ve dropped my last two opponents, one to the head and the other with a body shot. I’ve always been known for hitting hard to the body.
“In the fifth one (pro contest), it would be nice to get a stoppage on my pro record. I’m getting closer and closer to it.”
*Tickets for the Park Inn bill are available, priced at £40 for unreserved seating or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.