Eales back with big, 10 round eliminator

Poster for the Commonwealth chance for Eales (right)

ASHLEE Eales – a swaggering big puncher with blistering hand speed and footwork that would do Fred Astaire proud – has been given a swift shot at redemption.

After suffering the first loss of his career, the “Real Deal” has been handed a 10 round Commonwealth title eliminator.

The Nuneaton light-middle will face Billy Jackson at the O2, Greenwich, on March 22.

And that first professional set-back hasn’t dented Eales’ confidence, which has always been high. A past master at hyping big fights, the former Midlands 11st champ said: “I’m going to rip the head off the kid.”

It’s Eales’ first outing since last June when tough Panamanian Omir Rodriguez gained a narrow six rounds win over the 30-year-old.

The setback was a surprise. Eales, a switch-hitter with more moves than a chess grandmaster, had won 10 on the spin and, in the bout before, had beaten heavily favoured Stanley Stannard for the Midlands belt.

And there are mitigating factors for the loss. After dropping Rodriguez in the first, Eales suffered a broken right hand in the second.

The three fractures suffered that night - the latest in a catalogue of hand injuries - have kept Ashlee on the sidelines. The fighter, who carries KO power, has been cursed with fragile fists.

He refuses to use the injuries as an excuse for defeat, however, and blames a lack of due diligence.

“I was complacent,” Ashlee said. “He was more experienced, better than I thought and gave me my first lesson.

“I’m stronger for it. I was never scared of a loss, but I didn’t think it would come like that.”

Eales revealed the only training camp where he’s really left no stone unturned was for the Stannard title clash. He has now realised the error of his ways.

“I relied on my natural ability,” he said, “I sort of winged it. I realise you’ve got to give it 100 per cent.

“I fractured my hand in three places and it’s taken more time to heal than I expected – it still hurts a bit now.

Ashlee Eales…sidelined since June with fractured hand

“But I’m back, I’m on it – sparring, whacking the bag. I’ve gone back to the basics for this one. Before, because of my natural abilities, I was more freestyle.”

In Jackson, from Kent, Eales faces a 25-year-old who last only one of eight, but is yet to score a stoppage.

“He’s a local lad, he’s obviously confident or he wouldn’t be facing me,” Eales said. “I feel his manager has said ‘yes’ before realising what this fight is.”

Eales and thunderous punching rival Amir Abubaker, from Coventry, were once on a collision course. The Board of Control had called on Eales to defend his Midlands title against the Kurdish KO artist, but, facing months out through injury, Ashlee vacated.

Abubaker has since won the title.

Eales hasn’t ruled a mouthwatering local derby clash with Amir “down the line”.

He added: “I like him, but there are levels to this game.

“It’s time I had a gunfight. Let’s see who can take one on the button.”