Leo: My next fight is about redemption

Leo (centre) with gym mates Costello and Gurung

LEO Fanthome enters the ring next month in search of what he has termed “a bit of redemption”.

The likeable light-welter’s September 28 bout at Coventry Sports Connexion is more than merely a learning four rounder for an apprentice taking part in only his third contest. It carries extra pressure.

For Leo steps through the ropes determined to show the unexpected, even shocking, stoppage defeat suffered last time out was merely a costly loss of concentration, a near freakish accident. A blip.

On May 18, the 25-year-old – ahead on points at the time – was dropped and halted by Naeem Ali. The Blackburn journeyman registered only his third win in close to 130 contests.

Leo, a Redditch fighter of Venezuelan heritage, pledged a valuable lesson has been learnt and the dream is very much still alive.

“I’m determined and want a bit of redemption,” he said. “I need to put myself back to where I need to be.”

To that end, there have been changes. Leo now trains at Lee Spare’s Nuneaton gym alongside unbeaten pros Danny Costello and Minaaz Gurung.

“I feel I’ve really come on,” he said. “I’ve changed into a much better all-round fighter. There’s more footwork, I’m less of a static boxer, I’m more fluent.”

The loss is still raw and Leo still searches for reasons. “I didn’t throw enough punches,” he told me. “There wasn’t enough pressure. That night was not me, I really felt a shadow of myself. But I have good people around me and Lee has added a lot of variety to my game.

“I never want to feel like that again.

“The top boxers go on and achieve good things. I look at people like Tyler Denny and Sam Eggington who came back stronger after losses.

“The loss showed I have to always be the best version of myself and have to give 110 per cent.”

Leo harbours loft ambitions. “I want to win a British title,” he added. “It has to be down to that sheer determination. If you devote everything to something you do, good things have to come.”