No title, but Eales is given a tough test on major GBM show

Ashlee Eales…Panamanian opponent looks no push-over

ASHLEE Eales, one of the game’s true showmen, was to have defended his Midlands light-middleweight title on the glittering GBM show this Saturday.

However, a damaged shoulder put paid to challenger James Richardson’s hopes: that injury, insists Eales, has only saved the Scunthorpe man from an inevitable knockout. “I knew I’d got his number,” he shrugged.

Modesty is not an affliction Ashlee suffers from.

Instead of a 10 rounder, Eales engages in a six on the show at Coventry’s Skydome– and faces no push-over in Panamanian Omir Rodriguez.

The 31-year-old may have lost more than he’s won with a 14-19-1 record, but he’s mixed in top, top class.

He went eight rounds with world champ Austin Trout in Germany last year – and took sessions off the American.

Fifteen months ago, Rodriguez dropped a six round decision to British champ Samuel Antwi. Eales, unbeaten in 10, hasn’t been handed a soft touch replacement.

Ashlee, as ever, oozed confidence during our interview, but did admit: “He’s a tough lad. If the knockout doesn’t come, I’ll beat him up for six rounds and show fans where I should be at.”

That is about as humble as the man who calls himself “Real Deal” gets. He’s a master at selling contests.

“I accepted the title fight being cancelled as a part of boxing,” Ashlee said. “You’ve got to roll with the punches. The miserable part was the weeks waiting for a new opponent, waiting to get the name.

“Rodriguez is no journeyman, I call him a gatekeeper. He’s got some good wins and he’s been in with a lot of decent people.”

It’s a risk.

“I’m the bandit boy of boxing, I’m always gambling on myself, always looking to hit the jackpot,” said Eales. “I’m going to show my skills, people are going to say, ‘he should be in big fights’. They are going to see something sensational. I’ve got something special lined-up.”

Say what you will about Ashlee – some love his style, others bemoan his brashness – but the man knows how to whip-up an audience.