Devastating Duberry signs for McCracken

New team...Spencer Jnr, Jaykae, Duberry and Lovell

TRAIE Duberry, considered one of the West Midlands’ hottest prospects, has joined the McCrackens’ booming Birmingham gym.

The menacing, muscled cruiser has announced the surprise switch from former manager Anthony Manning, who guided him to three wins, two inside distance, on social media.

Manning confirmed the partnership has come to an end.

The 29-year-old’s future is now in the hands of father and son team Spencer McCracken Snr and Jnr and Small Heath rap star Jaykae who, based at the gym, has broken into the pro game. He’s become a talisman for a number of talented prospects.

Duberry has signed a management deal with Spencer Snr, is being trained by Spencer Jnr and Dave Lovell, one of Birmingham boxing’s elder statesman. Celebrity Jaykae is beating the drum for Traie.

“McCracken is the biggest boxing name in Birmingham,” Traie. “And no one can shout my name as loud and as powerfully as Jaykae.”

Duberry, who carries the ring-name “The Secret”, is a very significant signing for the McCrackens. The consensus within the game is he’s something special.

That’s underlined by the fact Traie has already been nominated for a Midlands title shot despite completing only seven professional rounds.

Traie told fans on Facebook: “The secret’s out. I’ve linked up with @jaykae and @mccrackensgym to help guide me to where I need and deserve to be in my career. It’s time to get to work.

“I can’t wait to show everybody the work I’ve been putting in and soon it will be time to collect those title.”

Duberry, from Birmingham’s Aston district, certainly looks the part, with an Evander Holyfield like sculptured physique.

And he performed well as an amateur with Aston ABC, picking up a national title and winning the Haringey Box Cup.

In March he got his first taste of a major boxing show – and made the most of the opportunity. On GBM’s marathon Skydome, Coventry, bill, outgunned Bosnian Admir Oglic was blasted out in two.

After that performance, Duberry told me: “I’m not in this game to be second best.”

It is, however, very early days. To date, Duberry has feasted on fighters with losing records. We’ll know more following his first live test.

He agrees. “I think I’ve been misjudged because of my performances to date,” Traie said. “They say I’m all muscle and power – I’ve never relied on that. Look how many times I’ve been hit. I think I’m better at counter-punching.

“When I face fighters capable of bringing more out of my game you’ll see a different side of me.”

McCracken’s gym, founded by former quality pro Spencer Snr, is emerging as a major force. It has made a slew of recent signings, including British title challenger Raza Hamza, and already boasts a Commonwealth champ in light-fly Matt Windle.

Now they have landed a man tipped for the top by many good judges.

Traie added: “The story is going to be explosive.”