Black Country super bill is only days away

Ricky Summers…English title bid in front of home supporters

ONE of the Black Country’s biggest bills for years – a title triple-header – takes place at Wolverhampton’s Hangar venue on Friday night.

The nine fight card, will see Ricky Summers attempting to take the English light-heavyweight title from Portsmouth’s Joel McIntyre.

The city’s EBU welter champ Kirstie Bavington will bid to take the vacant WBA intercontinental belt. In the opposite corner will be Canada’s Kandi Wyatt (10-4).

Veteran Andy Owens, billed from Wolverhampton, but now living in Shifnal, Shropshire, gets a Midlands area super-middleweight chance – at the age of 35. He’ll face Northampton’s Michael Stephenson (7-1).

Also on the packed bill, which will be shown on BBC iPlayer and  the BBC Sport app and website, are Glasgow’s former world light-middle champ Hannah Rankin (12-6) who faces American Logan Holler (9-2-1).

WBF super-bantam champ Katie Healey (5-0) will also be in action. No opponent has been named for the Wolverhampton boxer at the time of publication.

It’s a big, big bill and for 35-year-old Summers (18-3-1) represents a last chance to gain a major belt. The former British title challenger attempted to take the English before, but was outpointed by Dan Azeez on a split decision. No disgrace there – Azeez now rules Britain and is to challenge for European honours.

Ricky said: “My training camp started just after Christmas, we got the purse bids over the line and then we knew that the fight was going to happen.

“I have to thank my backers, BCB Promotions and my wife Jodie, who did the hard work with actually getting the purse bid in, so we could stage it.

“In all of my big fights, I’ve been the away fighter, so it’s nice to have this at home. He will bring a coach load of fans and I know that my lot will make it a great atmosphere.

“This is the second time I’ve boxed for the English title, I thought that I’d won it (in April 2021, against Dan Azeez), but now I get the chance to go for it again.

“When I boxed Dan, it was behind-closed-doors, which was hard because Jodie wasn’t allowed to be there (because of the pandemic regulations) and she’d been to all of my fights.

“I’ve become good friends with Dan and he’s going for the European title now. I’m the only one to push him to the wire, so it shows what level that I’m at.

“I’m not going to dwell on that, all that I’m focussed on is getting the job done and becoming the champion of England. He’s held the title twice, so I know what he’s capable of.

“I’m expecting the best Joel McIntyre on the night. I watched him against Lyndon Arthur (in December, second round) and he got stopped, but he took that on two weeks notice.

“I’d be a fool to look at that and expect him to be the same against me. When I turn up, I’m one of the best light heavyweights in Britain, so I need to concentrate on what I’m doing. “

Kirstie Bavington…faces a Canadian for the intercontinental belt

Kirstie Bavington, aged 30, (7-2-2) said: “What’s happened is all written in the book. I’ve come from nothing and experienced the highs and lows. I believe in karma – everything is done, everything happens for a reason.

“I’ve been up against GB athletes, I’ve fought away from home and I’ve studied my weaknesses. Hopefully, I can fight for a world title, but it’s all about raising your profile. They don’t give away those chances.

“She (Wyatt) made a number of title challenges and, style wise, she’s similar to me.

“She throws a lot of straight punches. We’re working on a number of things.”

The blue touchpaper has been lit. Now it’s a case of standing back and enjoying the fireworks.

Andy Owen (4-1) said: “I’m not daft,” I know my levels. I’ve been around the gyms for a long, long time. I’ve sparred some top quality kids, so I know I can compete at a good level.

Andy Owen…big chance for one of boxing’s late bloomers

“For me, it’s all about the next fight and see from there. If I win, it will be a case of pushing on.

“In my mind, I’m a young fighter. I don’t have the miles on the clock, I’m quite fresh.

“I’ve sold nine tables, I have a good following. My wife comes to watch me and my son (aged nine) is already mad for boxing.”