Farrell turns pro
ONE of Birmingham’s greatest amateurs has turned pro.
And Niall Farrell, who will be managed by Jon Pegg, trained by dad Paddy, may make his debut on the February 18 Solihull bill featured in this column.
The 25-year-old, an ever-present in the Team GB squad since the age of 18, will fight at lightweight. That’s no surprise: Niall’s struggle to make the nine stone featherweight limit that brought him amateur glory had become something of an open secret.
The decision to join the professional ranks was also expected. It was simply a question of when and with whom.
After Niall suffered disappointing – and contested – stoppage defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the Commonwealth Games, his amateur days appeared numbered.
What the paid game gets is a boxer who has faced the very best in the world. A product of Kingstanding’s 2nd City gym, run by Paddy, he signs off with a record of 126 bouts and just 25 losses.
Niall said: “It’s full steam ahead. I’m healthier than ever, I’m stronger than ever. I can’t wait to put on those eight ounce gloves and put someone to sleep.
“It was the right time (to turn pro), the best time for me. I’m 25, I’ve been around the world, I’ve boxed the best in the world. From the age of 18, I’ve lived the dream, I’ve had some of the best years of my life.
“But I sat down with my dad and we agreed it was the right time. I’m ready for the next chapter. I did well as an amateur with the style you have to have – you can’t have a pro style and I believe a pro style will suit me so much more. I’m a box fighter.
“I want to do things the traditional way, start from the bottom and work my way up, first an area title, then English, then British…I want all the titles, I want to be a seasoned pro.
“I’ll box anyone, I always have done, always will. I’m really looking forward to the pro journey, but we’ll take it at our own pace, time’s on my side.
“It sounds mad. We’re in no rush, but I want everything now.”
Whatever titles the future brings, Niall is destined to be a phenomenal ticket-seller. As an amateur, he had a large, loyal fanbase.
“I’m very lucky,” he added. “I have a very good support system and I feel it will build.”
FANS are ensured of thrills when Topboxer – a one night knockout tournament – takes place next month.
The brainchild of Jon Pegg and promoter Tommy Owens, the February 18 explosion of leather at Solihull’s Planet Ice will see eight novice welterweights in a competition of three round bouts.
It is essentially a grassroots version of Sky Sports’ popular Prizefighter nights.
The lads taking part will be fighting for the greatest purse of their careers to date. There’s a £20,000 cashpot on the table, with the winner receiving £8,000.
The gap in experience for those taking part is much narrower than televised tournaments such as Prizefighter and Ultimate Boxxer. No champs - amateur or professional - can take part. Hopefuls must have no more than nine paid contests under their belts.
“This will keep the competition at the highest competitive level for us all to enjoy on February 18,” said Tommy.
The eight are: Jags Purewal (Selly Oak, 4-0), Brett Egan (Birmingham, 3-0), Danny Costello (Nuneaton, 1-0), Craig Brewin (Wittering, Cambridgeshire, 3-0), Taylor Greig (Derby, 1-0), Connor Meanwell (Newark, Nottinghamshire, 1-0), Don Itutu (Derby, 2-0), Tommy Loach (West Brom).
Away from the knockout tournament, the bill will also feature unbeaten Coventry middle Bradley Goldsmith, a prospect with an army of supporters. Bradley will be chasing his seventh straight pro win.
BLOXWICH battler James Beech has gained his second crack at a British title.
The news is near instant reward for the 25-year-old’s upset victory over Raza Hamza. The Brummie hadn’t lost for close to eight years before being outpointed by underdog Beech over 10 rounds last month.
Raza blew it big time. He’d already been nominated to face unbeaten Nathaniel Collins for the vacant British featherweight title – all Raza had to do was get past Beech.
He didn’t and James – who was previously outpointed by Brad Foster for the super-bantam title – will logically take his place, according to the latest British Boxing Board of Control circular.
It states: “Vacant British Featherweight Championship. Featherweight (vacant): Nathaniel Collins v James Beech Jnr.
“Following agreement being reached between the parties, the championship contest to be promoted by Sam Kynoch will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.”
Poor Hamza must be shaking his head and pondering what might have been.
The circular also reveals Bordesley Green’s Ijaz Ahmed has been given a new British super-flyweight title date.
He and old rival Quaise Khademi were to fight for the vacant belt last month, but Khademi was forced to pull out through illness.
The 12-rounder will now take place on Friday, March 3, at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
THE game is poised to get a new promoter.
And Scott Murray, boss of Cannock’s top venue The Premier Suite, has lofty plans to revive the black tie days of sporting clubs.
His application for a promoter’s licence has been backed by the Midlands Council, but approval from the British Boxing Board of Control HQ is still pending.
Without jinxing proceedings, it appears a mere rubber-stamping exercise.
Murray, ambitious and business brave, will be a breath of fresh air.
He’ll revive the glory days of sporting clubs which were once so popular in Birmingham. Patrons will enjoy a four or five fight bill, meal and entertainment from such big name hosts as former world champs Ray Mancini and Richie Woodhall and TV presenter Steve Bunce.
Murray intends to test the format at The Premier Suite, then spread to other Midland venues and London.
He said: “Ron Gray (former promoter) was once staging a dinner show every week, but the sporting clubs have died a bit of a death.
“I think we’ll be getting some really good scraps with ex-champs and Midland title fights. And through Ray Mancini, we’re hoping to get an American opponent on most shows.”
Jon Pegg has been appointed matchmaker for the venture.