Eales: ‘let’s get this pretty face on TV’

Ashlee Eales…fights for the Midlands title in Leicester

FEW fighters can talk the talk like Ashlee Eales, a man who possesses the kind of self belief that would make King Canute appear lacking in confidence.

Eales, a former dancer who is unbeaten in nine, would not only command the tide to recede, he’d probably demand it to heat up, so he could enjoy a pleasant bath.

Ashlee Eales can talk the talk. On March 2, at Leicester Arena, we discover if he can walk the walk.

The Nuneaton switch-hitter faces Nottingham’s Stanley Stannard for the vacant Midlands light-middleweight title.

It looks on paper a tough assignment. Stannard has lost only one of 10, a step-up encounter with talented Lee Cutler.

Eales, a man who carries the ring nickname Real Deal, doesn’t see it that way.

“Once I’ve busted up Stannard,” the 29-year-old told me, “let’s get this pretty face on TV and watch me whupp more ass.”

Such soundbites have been a feature of the bout’s build-up – and Eales, with his barbs and verbal baiting, has certainly done the promoter proud. A lot of people have purchased tickets to see the man put in his place.

It won’t happen, Eales insists.

He and Stannard are polar opposites in boxing style and personality. Ashlee is unorthodox, flashy and warms himself in the media spotlight.

Stannard is non-nonsense and uncomfortable when facing the press pack.

“It’s taken Stannard two months to open his mouth,” said Eales whose pro progress has been stalled by fragile hands. That’s the downside of carrying real power in either fist.

“He says he’s giving me my career biggest payday. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but it’s a few quid for a Midlands title and he had no choice.

“Stannard is a respectable opponent, I’m not taking him lightly. He’s going on about how I’ve only fought journeymen over four and six rounds. So has he. The only time he stepped up, he got knocked from pillar to post and I’m going to knock him from pillar to post.

“He was like a rabbit in headlights, so how is he going to be against someone who can adapt and carries knockout power?

“He’s says, what am I going to do if I don’t knock him out in the first four rounds? That shows self doubt and what I’ll do is beat him up for the other six rounds.”

Eales appears to be relishing the opportunity to fight away from home. “I want a thousand people booing me to get that hype,” he said.

“From the start, people have looked down on me and said I couldn’t do the things I’ve done. Everything I’ve said I’d do, I’ve done.”

He is now saying: “I’ll beat him, I’ll knock him out.”

March 2 is Ashlee Eales chance to prove the Real Deal really is the Real Deal. He certainly harbours no doubts.