It is boom-time for Leamington with 3 boxers on a pro bill

Danny Quartermaine…torch-bearer for Leamington boxing

BOXING in Leamington – the town that, many decades ago, produced the Turpin brothers – really is booming like never before.

The Warwickshire spa town has become a spar town.

And on October 14 at Coventry’s Sports Connexion three Leamington based pros box on the same bill: Danny Quartermaine, guided by Edwin Cleary, and Jess Barry and Lewis Howells, who fight out of Derek Fitzpatrick’s gym.

I can’t remember the last time that happened, and we may have to go back to the 1950s glory days of world champ Randolph Turpin and his siblings.

Quartermaine, unbeaten in nine, is, without doubt, the current torch-bearer for Leamington boxing and enjoys a huge following. Attempts are being made to secure an English junior-lightweight (super-feather) title eliminator for him on the Sports Connexion bill promoted by Tommy Owens.

In his sole appearance on a major TV arena show, the 26-year-old showed what he brings to the table by stopping Christian Lopez Flores at Resorts World, Birmingham, in June. He was on early doors, but Quartermaine’s “Barmy Army” made the contest sound like a main event.

Frankly, I’m surprised the exciting, swash-buckling boxer hasn’t already been snapped-up by one of the major promotional outfits.

So is Cleary. He told me: “It baffles me that no one has signed him. As an amateur, he beat Jordan Flynn, Macauley Owen twice, James Beech three times.

“I’m really scratching my head, I don’t get it. There are four TV channels broadcasting boxing that should be bidding for Danny Quartermaine, there should be a bidding war over Danny Quartermaine. There are four TV channels scratching their heads for a boxer who can sell out an arena.

“Danny’s exciting, good looking and sells out places.

“I think he can make feather and at feather he’ll be a world-beater. I think you’re looking at a Josh Warrington type, but probably stronger.”

Jessica Barry…defeat has made her more determined

Barry, aged 29, is coming off a wafer-thin points loss Lithuania’s tough and experienced Vaida Masiokate. That was her first pro setback in three outings.

“Jess is coming down to feather and then even super-bantam,” said Derek Fitzpatrick. “She now has a really good nutritionist. I think the defeat has ‘steeled’ her, she didn’t like that feeling.

“I think she’ll be better for it, both mentally and physically. She’s been sparring Vick Wilkinson (soon to fight for the Commonwealth junior-lightweight title) and you’d pay money to watch those spars, they were competitive spars.”

Lewis Howells…”we’ve only scratched surface of his potential”

Lewis Howells, who moved to Warwickshire from Newport, Wales, was a top amateur, now 3-0 in the paid ranks.

I only question in which division the 26-year-old intends to make his mark. Last time out he beat a full-blown light-heavy: Lewis is not a light-heavy.

Fitzpatrick said: “He is looking fantastic in the gym, he looks great. He’s heavy at the moment, but powerful. He needs to get down to super-middle and, with day before weigh-ins, he can do middle.

“There’s a very, very good kid in him and we’ve only scratched the surface of his potential. He can take from the game whatever he wants. He has the ability, he’s durable and a fair puncher.”

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