Manning: Mykey and Melvin should have taken place, now we prepare for ‘Spider’

Anthony Manning….”it’s not about the money, it’s the principle”

THE title rematch between Mykey Lee-Broughton and champ Scott Melvin – a fight put forward by the Midland’s Boxing Board – will not happen.

And that, says Broughton’s manager and promoter Anthony Manning, is an injustice. That, says the Birmingham boxing figure, is a body blow for fans.

Broughton and Melvin last year fought out a small hall classic for the Midlands lightweight belt won by Scott in dramatic circumstances.

Trailing on points, he pulled the fat out of the fire in the last round with withering body shots. After taking them, Broughton was violently ill on the ring canvas and the bout stopped.

A re-match was ordered, but Chelmsley Wood’s Melvin vacated and will now campaign at junior-lightweight.

The Board have paired Broughton and Ibraheem “Spider” Sulaimaan for the belt.

In an interview with Fight City, Melvin’s manager Jon Pegg admitted there was no appetite for a return encounter with Broughton. Another win would not enhance his boxer’s reputation and working with Manning during the first fight was not “enjoyable”. It is an experience he doesn’t want to repeat.

“I was the easiest person to work with in British boxing,” Manning said today. “We were so compliant, it was so easy to make the fight, it was ridiculous. The only sticking point was the tickets where I was negotiating the best deal for my boxer.”

Pegg and promoter Tommy Owens disagree. They described dealing with Manning as difficult.

“Scott Melvin didn’t win that fight, Mykey lost that fight,” Manning insisted. “Scott Melvin didn’t win that fight, the doctor stopped that fight.

“There were 97 seconds to go. The decision was controversial because the doctor was unsure – that was the only reason things got a bit heated.”

I wrote at the time that when a boxer is sick in the ring, a contest has to be stopped. No question about that.

“It could’ve been the way Mykey made the weight, it could’ve been what he ate, it could’ve been the body shots,” Manning said of the unusual ending. “We don’t know.

Mykey Lee-Broughton…now matched with Ibraheem Sulaimaan

“Let’s not beat about the bush, let’s say it as it is. The Midlands wanted to see a Scott Melvin re-match with Mykey Lee-Broughton and Scott Melvin pulled out. He pulled out because it was a hard fight. He was being beaten for 10 rounds.

“I’m disappointed because the first contest was a fight of the year and everyone wanted a rematch. It’s not about money, it’s about the principle.

“Scott Melvin hasn’t done anything for a year. I don’t believe his team believe in their lad as much as I believe in my lad.”

There is another collision on the horizon between boxers managed by Pegg and Manning. Ashlee Eales, the Midlands light-middle titleholder signed to Pegg, has been called on by the Board to defend against big punching Amir Abubaker.

Pegg has questioned whether the bout will take place because Abubaker has never made 11st. He’s never been close to 11st as a pro.

That is a fact.

Manning, however, has stressed he will put in a purse bid for the contest.

“Amir has never worked with a nutritionist before,” he said, “and he made light-middle as an amateur with a same day weigh-in.”

Both Abubaker and Eales fought on the major GBM show at Coventry Skydome last month. Abubaker scored a third round knockout, while Eales lost his unbeaten record on points to Omir Rodriguez.

“Ashlee Eales lost to a journeyman in the away corner last time,” Manning added. “He needs this fight to prove he is a worthy champion of the Midlands.”