Manning to stage six shows in home city

Anthony Manning: “I realise Birmingham is our headquarters”

HAVING staged two sell-out shows, Anthony Manning has discovered life as a promoter is not all plain sailing.

He stressed his first foray into Wolverhampton after a brace of Birmingham cards was well attended, but there were problems to overcome.

And, as a result, the Hangar show on November 18 was cut to three bouts.

Manning is undeterred. He has already booked six dates – all in Birmingham – next year and will announce two new signing to his stable within days. One, I believe, is respected amateur light-welter Dylan Clift. The other is from a martial arts background.

Manning said: “We had a great turn-out at the Hangar. We had a few pull-outs and that made me realise it’s not all plain sailing. You have to adapt.

“What you’re doing is gaining experience. I know what works for me. We have six shows next year – all in Birmingham because I realise that’s the headquarters.

“We have two new signings to be announced this week.”

I’ve already written about Coventry middleweight Amir Abubaker’s win at the Hangar.

Mykey Lee-Broughton…eased back with four round win

Mykey Lee-Broughton, having his first fight since losing an epic Midlands lightweight title fight in September, eased back with shut-out, four round victory over Kasey Bradnum, 40-36.

Mykey Lee, a fighter who proved himself in the first defeat of an eight bout career, can be forgiven for a fairly routine outing.

His title defeat to Scott Melvin was an absolute war between two Birmingham prospects. Melvin prevailed by stoppage in the very last round.

Bradnum, from Harlow, Essex, has now won only one of 15. “I thought Mykey looked ferocious,” Manning said. “He came forward throughout, he was aggressive.

“He’s got the bit between his teeth. He wants to get straight back in there and show his colours.”

Manning says he’s made approaches for Broughton to face Worcester prospect Ameen Khalid for the Midlands title, which I don’t quite understand.

Scott Melvin holds the title and, as far as I’m aware, has no immediate intention to vacate.

“I can’t see Melvin wanting to defend against us,” said Manning by way of explanation.

I’m not aware he’s been ordered to.

Completing the Hangar bill, Birmingham’s Traie Dubbery, a cruiser who won his debut in quick time, had to settle for a points decision in his second outing.

The 28-year-old won every round of his four rounder with Sheffield’s Perry Howe, 40-36. That was Howe’s eighth loss in 14.

Manning said: “I thought Traie produced a good, skilful performance. The guy (Howe) wasn’t very aggressive. There wasn’t a lot to punch at, he was in a shell. To land a punch you have to take a risk and the guy didn’t take too many risks.

“You have to touch these guys, open them up, make them punch. But Traie used his head and showed a good jab.”