Lionheart Leo set to roar at Holiday Inn

Leo Fanthome with coach Anton Hill. He’s looking for second win

THE pro apprenticeship continues for Leo Fanthome at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn on May 18.

In the opposite corner for his second paid fight will be Sheffield’s Paul Scaife – and another four rounds points victory seems likely. I don’t think Fanthome will need to live up to his ring nickname of Lionheart.

Scaife may have won only one of 41 (one draw), but is a hard man to budge. Only five opponents have prevented him from hearing the final bell.

Fanthome, of Venezuelan heritage, is a welcome addition to the West Midlands pro circuit. A sales exec by day, he’s bright, a thoroughly nice individual and doesn’t make over-the-top boasts about what the future holds.

What’s more, he sells tickets. Around 150 fans attended his March debut, also at the Holiday Inn, and Leo reckons there’ll be 200 for the May 18 assignment.

“I think I can definitely win a Midlands title,” the Redditch 25-year-old told me. “I’m fighting at welter, but for titles I can make super-lightweight.”

Leo’s belief will have been boosted by a pleasing performance in his pro baptism against Dale Arrowsmith.

“I couldn’t have wished for a better debut,” Fanthome said. “I boxed neatly behind the jab and kept my hands nice and high. I caught Dale with some nice body shots.

Since then, coach Anton Hull has continued to make the style changes needed for professional boxing. As an amateur with Redditch Academy, Leo, who engaged in around 30 fights and won a Midlands title, had an in-and-out, points picking style. Now he’s learning to punch with more power.

“We have been working on different combinations,” said Fanthome. “I think I have plenty of power, it’s definitely improved. I do a lot of strength and conditioning.

“Now I place my shots and sit down on my punches.”

That first win has given Leo a real thirst for more. He now lives and breathes the sport.

“It’s all I think about,” he added. “My life revolves around boxing. There’s no feeling like it, putting on a show for everybody.”

The good times continue at the Holiday Inn – and this time, Lionheart reckons the roar will be louder.