James and long-time trainer decide to end their pro partnership
Beech Jnr and Pete Hickenbottom
BLACK COUNTRY favourite James Beech Jnr and trainer Pete Hickenbottom have parted company after a six-and-a-half year working relationship.
The move is entirely amicable and by mutual consent, former big hitting pro Hickenbottom stressed.
“We both agreed we have gone as far as we could together,” the Great Wyrley coach said.
The parting of ways comes after 26-year-old Beech was beaten by hot prospect Hopey Price in July. Cut over both eyes and being caught by heavy punches, Hickenbottom pulled his fighter out at the end of the seventh.
Before that, in March, Bloxwich’s James was stopped in seven by Nathaniel Collins with the British and Commonwealth featherweight belts on the line.
He and Hickenbottom began their pro journey together – he was Pete’s first pro – and it proved a highly successful partnership.
Beech gained two Midlands titles, the IBO Continental feather crown – snapping the long unbeaten record of heavy favourite Raza Hamza to grab the honour - and twice fought for the Lonsdale Belt. In 2020, he gave a gritty, marvellous performance, pushing British super-bantam champ Brad Foster all the way before losing on points.
James, who has lost only five of 20, has fought the best and only been beaten by top operators.
He is blessed with sublime skills and possesses a heart as big as a bucket. The only thing missing from the locker is knockout power. Outside the ring, he’s a thoroughly nice individual.
Hickenbottom paid a glowing tribute to the boxer.
He said: “It was a journey for both of us and we had a bloody good run. We’ve been through a lot together. I made him a good boxer, he made me a good trainer.
“We’re still friends, he’s been down the gym. I don’t know what Jim’s going to do, I think he wants to box again.
“I would never have anyone say anything bad about him. And I’ve always left the door open, I’d never refuse him. If he asked, ‘would you train me again?’, of course I would. I’d never turn Jim down.”