Eales is dancing his way to the top
Ashlee Eales….a fighter not short on confidence
FORMER professional dancer Ashlee Eales has certainly added punch-power to his repertoire. The Nuneaton middle seems to be hitting harder with each contest.
Fans are, understandably, beginning to get excited about the 28-year-old.
Latest opponent to be sent waltzing on unsteady legs across the ring was Blackpool’s Craig Sumner who lasted all of two minutes and 16 seconds at Coventry’s Sports Connection. Southpaw Eales switched stances and sent Sumner crashing - like a stick of seaside rock - with a single left hand.
Eales’ seventh straight win has come at a cost, however. He struck his opponent with such force, the hand broke and he was side-lined for six weeks.
Victory, even such spectacular victory, has to be put into perspective. Sumner had won only one of 15 contests - and that sole success came in his debut.
The Warwickshire KO artist is a young man not lacking in confidence.
He told me: “My self belief is almost delusional. People are now starting to realise what people in the gym already knew about me. The sky is the limit as long as I stay healthy and stay in the gym.
“Nuneaton is a small town and people didn’t believe I could get as far as I can in boxing. Now I think more people are starting to realise I can do this.”
Eales, who had a limited amateur career, stressed the lights-out power has always been there. It dipped after he gave up meat two years ago, but the extra conditioning that goes with being a pro has reaped benefits. He’s punching with real menace.
“A Midlands title fight is only a stone’s throw away. What we really need is someone who can take my shots for eight rounds,” Eales said.
“I’m making weight very, very easily at the moment. I was eating cakes and burgers before the weigh-in for the Sumner fight. We’re looking at the welterweight division.
“Owen Cooper (Midlands welterweight champ) might as well pass the belt to me now because I’ll take it off him.”
Eales - all business in the ring - is yet to become irritated by the constant press references to his dancing days.
He added: “Dancing was always my forte and passion until I found combat sport. But I’ll tell you something - I wouldn’t be half the fighter I am today without dancing.”