Manning calls for a Mykey-Dylan clash for the silver belt

Mykey Lee-Broughton…featured in a Midlands title thriller

AMBITIOUS Birmingham promoter Anthony Manning is again beating the big fight drum – and this time he wants a showdown between his fighter Mykey Lee-Broughton and fellow prospect Dylan Norman.

Manning – very much the newcomer on the promotional and managerial circuit – wants Broughton and Norman to meet, with possibly the Commonwealth silver lightweight belt on the line.

It’s certainly a dream fight for West Midlands fans between two boxers still approaching their prime. And the Board of Control’s Midlands Council, who last year consistently made mouthwatering pairings and should be applauded for it, would strongly consider the bout for their area title, should it become vacant.

But Commonwealth silver? That’s a surprise move by Manning and I’m not sure the Commonwealth committee would be as eager to adopt the contest. It’s a fantastic fight for the West Midlands, but, at this moment in time, wouldn’t set the Commonwealth on fire.

In any case, both Norman and Broughton believe they are destined for big things. If the pair keep winning, they could meet for a much more prestigious belt – and more money – down the line.

Norman, from Knowle, is an aggressive, 23-year-old box-fighter who has won six fights on the spin.

Birmingham’s Broughton, 22, has only one loss in nine – and that was a last round stoppage to Scott Melvin in a gruelling battle he was winning.

That epic encounter has rightly been shortlisted for “fight of the year” at this month’s Midlands Boxing Board of Control awards ceremony.

Manning, who stages his next show at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on March 2, said: “It’s a great fight and that’s what I’m here to do – provide great fights for fans.

“I know Dylan fancies it, and so he should. He’s a very good boxer.”

Dylan Norman…unbeaten and making waves

Wayne Elcock, the outstanding Birmingham middleweight champ now guiding Norman, does not share Manning’s enthusiasm for the scrap. Not at all.

Yes, it’s a fantastic fight, he told me. But it’s a fantastic fight for the future.

Elcock pulled no punches. He said: “What really is the Commonwealth silver title? What does it mean? What is it worth? I don’t know – put the question out there.

“It is not a route I want Dylan to go down. I want him to go down the traditional route, as I did.”

Norman is considered one to watch, but entered the pro game with limited amateur experience and is yet to go beyond four rounds.

“Why rush someone into 10 or 12 rounds for Mickey Mouse belts?” Elcock argued. “When Dylan gets there, I want him to stay there.

“Dylan would take the fight (with Broughton) in a heartbeat, but as his manager and trainer I have to act on his best interests. They are two good fighters, but it’s not what I want.

“It’s a good fight, but some way off. There’s not enough excitement around either fighter yet.

“It’s a good fight, but imagine how good Dylan and Mykey for the English title on Midlands soil would be.”

That would be a no from Wayne Elcock, then.