Board unveil long list of dream title bouts

Callum Singh…fights for super-fly belt in October

A WEEK’S holiday and I return from hotter climes to a flurry – make that an avalanche – of activity from the Boxing Board of Control’s Midlands Area.

It’s almost as if they waited for me to leave the country.

A raft of Midlands title fights have been secured – and there are more in the queue awaiting purse bids.

I’ve been critical of the Midlands Council in the past, but it deserves high praise. The new guard, under former pro Matt Harris, are keeping the weight divisions red hot.

Gone are the days when belts could be mothballed. Champs now have to defend or vacate. There are no days of grace.

And when a title becomes vacant, Harris and his team come up with truly exceptional match-ups to fill the void.

Some fall through, but the 10 rounders proposed by the local Board underlines its commitment to fans. And fans have always been the most important part of a healthy and vibrant sport.

I like Harris. I reported on his own pro debut and always found the man approachable, polite, open and accommodating during his boxing career.

In the Board of Control hot-seat, he has retained those traits. There is a healthy relationship between the press and boxing’s governing body.

And the Midlands title fights unveiled this week, underline Harris’ commitment to quality.

Definitely on are:

*Burntwood’s Troi Coleman – the man who travelled to Thailand in search of glory – and unbeaten Tom Cowling, from Nottingham, for the vacant middleweight title. The pair meet at Grantham Leisure Centre on September 14.

*Coventry’s gifted and undefeated Callum Singh will challenge super-fly titleholder Sean Bruce in the champ’s home city. That fight takes place at Mattoli Arena, Leicester, on October 26.

Ryan Griffiths…defends against Lewis Morris. Pic: MSN Images/BCB

*The mouthwatering featherweight title return between Black Country rivals Ryan Griffiths and Lewis Morris is signed, sealed and delivered, although no date or venue has been revealed. Both are with BCB and produced a small hall classic in March, Griffiths, boxing at 9st for the first time, prevailing on points. I’ve said it before, Griffiths is a young man with a very bright future. I’m just not sure if that bright future is at feather.

The contests the Board have put forward for championships are gems. Whether they take place is down to the parties concerned wanting them and purse bids being lodged by August 11. The bouts have to take place by the end of December.

Two, both involving Birmingham manager and promoter Anthony Manning, are particularly exciting.

Mykey Lee-Broughton…nominated for lightweight belt

Ibraheem “Spider” Sulaimaan, considered one of the game’s hottest prospects and guided by a major promoter, has been matched with Mykey Lee-Broughton for the vacant lightweight belt.

That is a cracker. For former amateur star Sulaimaan, the chance comes after only four impressive paid performances – all on major televised shows.

Broughton, part of Manning’s growing stable, will be remembered for a thrilling title clash with Scott Melvin, who has now vacated.

Well ahead on points, Broughton was halted by body shots in the last round.

The Board has also unveiled a dream for Coventry fight fans. Manning’s thunderous punching Amir Abubaker has been named as official challenger to light-middle champ Ashlee Eales.

Both Sky Blue boxers appeared on GBM’s huge show at the city’s Skydome last month.

Amir Abubaker…potential all Coventry title fight beckons

Abubaker destroyed usually durable Serge Ambomo in three rounds, while Eales lost his unbeaten record on points to Omir Rodriguez.

Abubaker, who runs barbers’ shops in Coventry, said: “He’s the flashy showman, I’m the come forward fighter. It’s a great fight for Coventry – I can’t think of a better one in recent history.

“I’m just excited to be in a real fight rather than facing journeymen.”

Will it happen? That would entail Manning and Eales’ manager Jon Pegg building bridges and working comfortably together.

Frankly, that requires a lot of building work.