Owens’ big bid for Melvin-Broughton
Promoter Tommy Owens…offered five figures for title fight
I LOVE it when a plan comes together.
Readers will know I’ve loudly beaten the drum for two potential super-fights: Scott Melvin and Mykey Lee Broughton – a tantalising clash between two unbeaten Birmingham boxers – for the vacant Midlands lightweight title and Chelmsley Wood wrecking ball Nyall Berry against Walsall’s skilful Lewis Morris for the featherweight belt.
They are five star matches that have now been approved by the Boxing Board of Control.
They are super-fights at local level. The news is a shot in the arm for the game in our region.
And I can exclusively reveal promoter Tommy Owens has put a FIVE FIGURE sum on the table to secure Melvin and Broughton on one of his shows.
That’s big money and one that will – at the very least – make Broughton’s manager Anthony Manning sit up and take notice.
Melvin’s manager Jon Pegg is already fanning the flames for a rare collision between two hot prospects.
Scott Melvin…a very big fight beckons
He said: “Mykey Lee Broughton is a very good fighter, but he won’t beat Scott. It’s come too soon.
“If they want to come in with a bigger offer, fine. We’ll go there, take the money and take the belt.”
Melvin, from Chelmsley Wood, against Broughton is just what the game needs in Birmingham.
On paper, they’re very evenly matched. Both were fine amateurs and, as pros, Melvin is 7-1, Broughton 6-0.
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.
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. He may return to a title fight.
“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.”
So would Broughton’s manager, Manning.
Mykey Lee Broughton….unbeaten and highly talented
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 himself 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.”