Eales and Abubaker - Coventry fighters plotting path to glory

Ashlee Eales…looks set to defend title against Jack Mantell

IT is a tale of two top, unbeaten local light-middles who carry TNT in each fist.

Recently crowned Midlands champ Ashlee Eales, from Nuneaton, possesses footwork that would make Fred Astair look like a hod-carrier burdened by a fully laden hod.

Coventry’s Amir Abubaker, a bundle of fighting fury, hits with wrecking-ball power.

A bout between the pair is a potential mouth-watering local derby, with Eales’ belt on the line: a battle where fireworks would appear guaranteed.

But despite Abubaker’s manager, Anthony Manning, insisting his boxer is only one fight away from a Midlands title shot, it’s a ring explosion that won’t be detonated any time soon.

Eales’ manager Jon Pegg insists he wants Ashlee to move onward and upward after beating Stanley Stannard for the title last month. He wants him to fight for the English belt.

Overcoming dangerous Abubaker, who has had only four fights, would not jettison Eales up the rankings or pave the way to bigger titles.

And it is a risk.

Professional boxing is a business. For Ashlee, the rewards gained by beating Amir do not justify the risk, therefore such a defence represents bad business.

There’s also no love lost between Pegg and Manning. I can’t see the two working together unless absolutely necessary. I certainly can’t see Pegg working with Manning on an Eales-Abubaker fight.

Eales – one of the modern game’s true showmen – looks likely to make the first defence of his Midlands title against Nottingham’s Jack Mantell, unbeaten in six, with the 10-rounder hopefully carrying English title eliminator status.

Amir Abubaker…faces Jordan Grannum on May 4 in Birmingham

Abubaker, aged 24, will continue his ring education on Manning’s May 4 show at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham. Jordan Grannum, still capable of uncorking the odd upset after close to 150 bouts, will be in the opposite corner.

Eales, unbeaten in 10, believes he’d beat Abubaker, but understands his manager’s stance.

“He’s a tough lad,” said the 29-year-old, “but do people outside the boxing community know that? What would I get from beating him? I think I’m a stone’s throw from an English title.

“I’ve never said no to a fight and there’s nothing I see from Abubaker that threatens me that much. But I’m chasing the top 10. I’ll take whatever fight makes the most sense.

“I’m in a position where a lot of fighters are going to look at me, I’m an option. I welcome all-comers and will take the fights that make the most sense.”

Many picked Stannard to beat Eales – and were left with egg on their faces. Ashlee produced the performance of his career, but still feels there is room for improvement.

“I feel I could’ve done a lot better,” he said. “I’ve done my first 10 rounder and, mentally, that’s a big milestone. That was always the doubt – whether I could beat someone over 10 rounds. I can hit hard and I can box long.”

Pegg said: “He’s sparred some good fighters and it seems to have ticked the right boxes for him. I think Ashlee can win an English and once you’ve won that, anything can happen.”

Abubaker should not take anything for granted against Grannum, despite the 31-year-old’s 11-131-5 record.

In his last fight Grannum beat Tyler Rivers, who had won all his five previous contests.

Amir believes he’s destined for very big things and feels he deserves greater support from his city. More Coventry fight fans should come to his fights, he says.

“I’m happy with the way he is growing as a pro,” said Manning. “I’m happy with everything he’s done so far.

“(When it comes to tickets) he’s not one to knock on doors, he doesn’t like to chase people. You have to get people believing in you.”