Melvin-Broughton - let’s make it happen

Scott Melvin…a real talent itching for titles

THERE’S a Birmingham dream fight that is more than a pipedream, that is not hindered by potential politics and would fill any small hall in the region.

What’s more it would be a cracker.

How about Scott Melvin, from Chelmsley Wood, and Mykey Lee Broughton, part of Anthony Manning’s growing Birmingham stable? Imagine that either as a scintilating, non-title bill-topper or for a Midlands title at either light or light-welter.

On paper, they’re very evenly matched. Both were fine amateurs and, as pros, Melvin is 7-1, Broughton 6-0.

Contests like that are what the grass roots game needs: there are not enough fights between unbeaten prospects because, today, defeat for a young ticketseller is considered near catastrophic.

It’s far from that. Often a loss can be an invaluable part of a boxer’s education. Back in the day, shows would bristle with bouts between young, unbeaten lads. Now they serve their apprenticeship against journeymen with long losing records and little desire to pull off an upset.

Be honest, do such matches tantalise a paying public during a time when finding the cash for tickets is becoming increasingly difficult? Do they fill the paying public with the expectation of edge-of-the-seat excitement?

No.

Remember this – Bunny Sterling, who claimed the British and European middleweight titles in the 1970s, lost his first three professional bouts. That hardly spelt the end of his career.

For the sake of the sport, it’s time to end the paranoia surrounding a points loss.

My understanding is Melvin and Broughton both want the match. It’s down to managers Jon Pegg and Anthony Manning to make it happen.

I enjoy watching 22-year-old Melvin, who trains out of the Second City’s Eastside gym. He’s loose limbed and carries explosive power. His one loss in eight is fairly meaningless, coming via split decision against eventual winner Dylan Cheema over three rounds in a televised Ultimate Boxxer tournament.

Many glowing words have been written about Eastside featherweight Nyall Berry, but Melvin maybe the champ who slips under the radar.

He has endured difficult weeks after being sidelined with a back injury that cost him a slot on last month’s Planet Ice, Solihull, show. Scott stressed the damage has responded well to physio and the fighter’s confident of being back in the ring by June.

“It wasn’t one thing that caused it,” he told me. “I think the accumulation took its toll. It’s unlucky – I was ready to go, ready to explode. I’ve been held back. I’ll take what I can get, really – I want titles. A Midlands fight would be great, but if not, we’ll go down a different route.

“At its level, Mykey Lee Broughton would be a great fight – and he wants it. I know him from the amateur days. I’d take that fight.”

Mykey Lee Broughton…unbeaten and capable of big things

So would Broughton’s manager, Manning.

He said: “We’re really interested in that fight. It’s a fight both fighters would get really well up for. These are the fights that get your city behind you. These are the fights where you can showcase you’re something special and get the public to believe in your product.”

Manning believes 21-year-old Broughton is something special.

He added: “My lad has shown some phenomenal things in the gym and he is doing them consistently. He’s applied himself totally and it’s a pleasure to see a young prospect dedicate his life to boxing.”

In an interview last month, Mykey told me: “It wouldn’t bother me going up to 10 rounds, I’ve sparred it a few times. Every time that I spar now, it’s six to 10.

“We go all over the country to spar, too, and I think that’s one of the most important things. For me, it’s about the whole experience, from sparring to watching the other lads train.

“You get different atmospheres the more gyms that you go to, and that’s good experience, which has brought me on a lot. I want to see where I’m at now.

“I’ve only shared one round as a pro when the other guy came out and just started throwing wildly, so I had to back off. Looking back, I have to be pleased with my progress.

“I’ve had my four-round learning fights and I feel like that no-one can really touch me now, so I’m coming for them all. I want to climb the rankings and get in the top 20 this year.”