It’s a middleweight boom in Coventry
Bradley Goldsmith…TV shows beckon in 2024
THE fight game is alive and kicking in Coventry and the surrounding areas.
In fact, it’s a boxing boomtime. It’s been a long, long time since the city’s fans had it this good.
And the middleweight division looks particularly exciting, with three red-hot prospects calling Coventry their home.
That’s fitting. Randolph Turpin, one of the best middles of them all, came from nearby Leamington.
The trio set for a very big 2024 are former top amateurs Aaron Bowen and Bradley Goldsmith and thunderous punching Amir Abubaker, by day a barber.
Let’s look at the three who really could be in the middleweight mix next year.
Bradley Goldsmith, aged 25, 9-0
Goldsmith is being groomed for big things in Sheffield by Dominic Ingle. At this level, he looks something special: he can box, he can bang. It’s been a frustrating year for Goldsmith, who enjoys a massive following, with progress stalled by injury. He still managed to pack in three victories and got his show back on the road this month by comprehensively outpointing Serhii Ksendzov.
2024 should see stiffer tests, titles and that long awaited appearance on a major televised bill.
Goldsmith says: “I know my ability, but I also know the work that needs to be put in. Ideally, I need an eight rounder under my belt before looking at titles.
“If you asked me just months ago about the lack of opportunities, I would’ve been upset, you’d get a range of emotions.
“But I realise you have to go through the process. I can’t dwell on what other fighters have got or what they’re getting because that takes the focus off what I’m trying to achieve. Ultimately, it will slow me down.
“People come up to me and say, ‘you’re too good for this, you’re too good for that, you should be on Sky Sport’, but they don’t understand what boxing involves and the politics of boxing.
“If it had happened at the beginning of the year, I probably wouldn’t have been ready. Some get their opportunity early and they crumble under the pressure. When I land an opportunity on that platform I want to stay on that platform.
“I want to be on those big shows because I merit being on those big shows, not because I sell tickets.”
Aaron Bowen with Shiney Singh…exciting future
Aaron Bowen, age 24, 3-0.
Bowen, trained by Shiney Singh, has received the red carpet treatment from the get-to, starting his pro journey with major promotional outfit Matchroom. The attention he’s received is not a surprise: Aaron was an outstanding amateur.
How’s this for an unpaid CV? Bowen faced the best vested boxers in the world, gained a Commonwealth Games youth gold medal, won five national titles, collected three golds for Team GB, was named best boxer in the senior elite ABAs and signed off with a bronze medal at Birmingham’s senior Commonwealth Games.
All three of his fights have been on major TV bills and in August, Bowen showed what’s to come with a spectacular blow-out of Wilmer Baron.
Bowen likes a tear-up, has a fans friendly style and enjoys mass support. Only disaster will prevent him taking belts in 2024. And if you’re looking for a Coventry dream fight down the line, how about Bowen and Goldsmith?
Bowen says: “It’s exciting. I want to achieve what I’m expected to achieve. I feel I have all the credentials, but it’s about staying grounded, there’s no secret pill.
“I come from the Coundon district of Coventry. They call it County Coundon because of its massive Irish community. I’m grateful they are all excited about my journey. I want to go to the top and I want them to come along with me. Coventry’s a fighting city.
“It will be an exciting journey. Take a few, give a few back – I’ll bring that with a bit of skill.
“I believe I can reach the top of the sport. My ultimate goal is to box at the Ricoh (Arena). I can achieve a British title, push on for European and I feel I can realise world honours.
“Even in the Midlands, there are good fights. I would like some big, local, British barnstormers – I like that sort of competition, I like the idea of a big night.”
Amir Abubaker…menacing and heavy handed
Amir Abubaker, aged 23, 3-0
The dark horse of the trio, Abubaker is already causing a stir in the paid ranks. Managed by Birmingham’s Anthony Manning, Amir lacks the amateur pedigree and box office pulling power of Bowen and Goldsmith.
But he oozes pure menace in the ring and carries dynamite in either fist. After two quick and spectacular stoppages, Abubaker was forced to go the distance last time out on Manning’s Wolverhampton show.
He’s certainly not lacking in self belief and believes the British title beckons, at the very least.
It’s hard to gauge how good Abubaker, who arrived here from Iraq as a four-year-old, will be, although he has, apparently, handled himself well in sparring sessions with very good men.
We know he can bang. We’ll know a lot more by the end of 2024.
Abubaker says: “The power I have is a bit of a bonus. The raw aggression I bring into the ring is my real strength. I believe you do something 100 per cent or not at all. That’s why I’m in boxing.
“Every gym session I’m getting better in terms of strength and skill. I want to be as good as I can possibly be.
“If I didn’t believe I could win a world title, I wouldn’t waste time doing this. I’ve invested a lot of time in this.
“What I’ve got is rare – it’s aggression, but controlled aggression.”