Cleary: Put Danny in with Dylan Cheema

Danny Quartermaine…wants a slice of the November 18 TV bill

THE man guiding Danny Quartermaine’s rise to the top has asked for the Leamington fighter to be matched against dazzling lightweight Dylan Cheema.

Former pro Edwin Cleary wants the mouthwatering clash to take place on Boxxer’s major, televised November 18 Wolverhampton bill, topped by Tyler Denny’s European middleweight title bid.

It’s certainly a dream match-up. Cheema, from Coventry, rose to national prominence after winning the lucrative Boxxer tournament.

Unbeaten Quartermaine secured his biggest win last Saturday, halting fellow prospect Jack Hillier in an English super-featherweight title eliminator.

Cheema fought on the same Coventry bill, shedding ring rust with a routine four rounds points victory.

I understand Cleary approached Sky Sports over the possibility of including Danny on the November 18 bill – a bill that Cheema will definitely be part of.

When told, the “home fighter” side of the card was already filled, Edwin lobbied to pit Danny against Cheema.

“It’s not a case of calling anyone out,” he stressed. “I like Dylan, he’s a nice kid. I just think it’s a great local fight and it makes sense. I know Sky are interested in it.

“Dylan has a large Sikh following and Danny has a lot of support from the Sikh community.”

Dylan Cheema…former Boxxer tournament winner

In the past, Clearly has voiced surprise the big promoters have not snapped-up Quartermaine’s service. He ticks a lot of boxes: he has an exciting, all-action style and a huge fan-base.

Danny is similarly bemused.

In a previous interview, he told me: “There are fighters who have turned pro who are being offered TV straight away. I don’t know if it’s about who they signed with.

“But I look at the positives. If I go to Boxxer or Matchroom now after 10 fights, I’m going to get a lot more than if I signed from the start.”

In May, Quartermaine showed the big promoters what he brings to the table. Making his first TV appearance – at Resorts Word, Birmingham – he demolished Christian Lopez Flores, a Mexican who has taken a string of British prospects the distance.

His fans near raised the arena’s roof, yet Danny was first on – traditionally a dead-zone for televised shows.

“I was first on, it was 5pm when arenas are usually empty. The promoter couldn’t believe how much noise my fans made,” he said.

Quartermaine wants his supporters to experience more big shows. Understandably, he wants them to watch him at night, not late afternoon.

“Small hall shows are great, they are a great platform for local boxers,” he said. “But I worry that if fans keep attending the same venues, things may get stale. I’d like them to have the opportunity to travel to big shows around the country.

“I won’t cost them (big promoters) a penny. Last time I made them five times more than my purse.”