Bright Star: Lloyd to turn pro, Goulty wins a Midlands Box Cup

Jacob Lloyd…cruiser will now punch for pay after facing the best

SHROPSHIRE is set to get a new professional cruiserweight.

Jacob Lloyd, who joins the paid ranks in the summer, is the first fighter to “turn over” from Shifnal’s Bright Star Boxing Club. The 21-year-old will be trained by the club’s head coach Mitchell Roberts.

During his amateur career, Lloyd has met the best. His last three contests have seen him face Britain’s number one, a national champ and compete in Europe’s biggest box cup.

The latter competition – the Haringey Box Cup – saw Lloyd bow out on a wafer-thin decision.

At the Alexandra Palace tournament, staged from June 14 to 16, Jacob was pitted against a fellow Midlander, Daniel James from Walsall’s Boxing Smart Elite, in the first round. Both men knew each other’s styles well, having sparred numerous rounds together.

After a nip-and-tuck affair, 27-year-old James took a 3-2 split verdict.

Mitch Roberts said: “I thought Jacob nicked it with his work rate and cutting down the ring.”

He admitted: “Jacob doesn’t have a glamorous record and is consistently learning on the job. He is now turning his attention to the professional ranks and is staring this process over the summer. At 21, he’s got plenty of time to put his stamp on the pro game.”

James Goulty with Mitch Roberts after his title victory

Bright Star’s trophy cabinet shines brighter following James Goulty’s victory in the Midlands Box Cup, staged in Birmingham last weekend.

On the Saturday the 16-year-old boxed Rocco Harrison, from Pleck, at under 54kg and came through by split decision.

Goulty sealed victory by forcing a standing count on his opponent courtesy of a peach of a right hand.

In Sunday’s final, Goulty faced Lonnax David from Droitwich – and this time there was clear daylight between the two.

Mitch said: “Before the contest, I told James to put his stamp on every round and take his gym form into the contest.”

That he did.

Goulty took control from the off, working  head and body to wear down his opponent. David was given a standing count, but gamely tried to force the action in the last.

Showing maturity, Goulty rode the storm, worked his jab to regain the initiative and dislodged David’s gumshield with a heavy right.

After a bout worthy of any final, the Shifnal gym’s teenager took a unanimous decision.