Fanthome looks to climb the rankings
Fanthome stops Broten. Picture: Campfire Stories Productions
A CORNER has been turned in the fledgling career of Leo Fanthome, buoyant after scoring his first stoppage.
At the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, two months ago, “Lionheart Leo” halted brave Ryan Broten in the fourth and last round.
For the Redditch welter, that erased the memory of an unexpected setback in his second contest: ahead on points, Fanthome was halted down the home-stretch by journeyman Naheem Ali.
No one saw that coming and the defeat can now be relegated to a blip, a momentary lapse in concentration.
Fanthome, who trains out of Lee Spare’s busy Nuneaton gym, can now think big again. And Leo will look to fan the flames of ambition when he takes part in fight number five at Coventry’s Sports Connexion Leisure Club on Saturday, February 22.
Opponent Jacob Marrer, from Dublin, is unlikely to stall Leo’s progress. The southpaw is still looking for a win after six contests, but he’s never failed to hear the final bell.
“Hopefully, this is my last four rounder,” 26-year-old Leo said. “After that, we’ll go up to six.”
Fanthome, a fighter of Venezuelan heritage, turned over after a solid amateur career of 18 wins in 28 bouts.
A construction worker by day, he’s stylish, has a good following and trainer Spare appears to have added more spite to his game. He is a work in progress who, to date, has learned his craft against men with losing records.
“With Lee, I’m boxing differently,” he said. “I’m constantly working on angles and different shot selection. I’ve got power in both hands.
“I want to have around 10 fights then box for a Midlands title. I always sell around 100 tickets, I have big support in the town – all the ingredients are there for a good career.”
And Leo loves the life of a professional boxer.
He added: “I’m always fit, I don’t drink or eat bad food, I love the lifestyle. Getting up at 5am isn’t hard for me, it sets up my day.”
And that work ethic will set him up for title fights down the line, Leo believes.