Pegg: My list of the most thrilling fights

Jon Pegg…The memorable battles I’ve been a part of

JON Pegg – the face of Birmingham boxing – has, as a former pro fighter, current trainer and manager been there, done it and definitely worn the t-shirt.

The man is a walking encyclopaedia of boxing.

Now he’s shared that knowledge through a list of the most exciting fights he’s witnessed from the closest vantage point possible. These are the thrillers that took place while he was working the corner.

One thing’s for sure, when Jon says a fight was a war, you know it was a real war.

Eggington and Jkitou served up fight of the year

1, Sam Eggington wpts 12 Bilel Jkitou, September 10, 2021, Skydome Arena, Coventry

Eggington, the Stourbridge light-middle whose career is studded with savage contest, had to be high on the list.

And this one, against unbeaten, unheralded Frenchman Jkitou for the WBC silver middleweight crown was possibly the most savage of Sam’s career. It was rightly named the British Boxing Board of Control’s fight of the year.

The pair simply stood toe to toe and punches lumps out of each other from first bell to last. Eggington, his features swollen, always had the last word. That was the difference and the fact he only gained a split decision was a surprise.

The pace never let up and it became survival of the fittest.

When the dust had settled, Eggington said: “I made harder work of it than I should of. I should have boxed more. I switched between boxing and having a war. 

“I reverted to what I know and probably shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t be standing there with a short stocky kid.” 

Isn’t that what Sam always does?

Cunningham celebrates after a truly epic encounter

2, Craig Cunningham wko 6 Ryan Aston, May 21, 2016, Dudley Town Hall.

This one, between Birmingham southpaw Cunningham and Black Country powerhouse Ryan Aston, was so brutal they dubbed it the Midlands own Ward-Gatti.

I’d always considered Cunningham a cagey, tricky fighter – then this explosion of violence took place.

Cunningham simply refused to melt under Aston’s white-hot pressure. He grabbed the early initiative, was almost broken by withering left hooks to the body, then summoned the stamina to close the show in the sixth.

Just as it seemed Cunningham had tamed his tormentor, Aston landed a sickening shot to the stomach that almost rescued victory from the jaws of defeat.

In the end, a huge left hook turned the home fighter’s legs to spaghetti and Cunningham was all over him, like the sauce. The brave Dudley fighter succumbed spectacularly, pitching face-first onto the canvas.

After the small hall classic, Cunningham told me: “I’m a counter-puncher, but you’d never know it watching that fight.”

Cello Renda…one very tough warrior

3, Cello Renda wko9 Leon McKenzie, September 9, 2017, York Hall, Bethnal Green

No footage of this epic Southern Area super-middle encounter exists, which is a great shame. It was an absolute barnstormer.

Former Premier League footballer McKenzie seemed on his way to a points decision, then hardman Rendo came out guns blazing in the ninth.

McKenzie succumbed dramatically and disturbingly. He needed oxygen in the ring and was taken to hospital as a precaution. He retired after the brutal battle.

It was some comeback by Peterborough’s Renda. He seemed spent in the seventh, yet managed to dig deep enough to claim victory from near certain defeat.

Jon Pegg said: “I wish I’d had Renda earlier.

“That fight was absolutely draining. At one point, I only didn’t throw the towel in because I didn’t have it in my hands – then Cello roared back.”

4, Ted Cheeseman wpts Sam Eggington, August 1, 2020, Matchroom HQ, Brentwood

Another day, another Eggington thriller – and another brutal battle named the British Boxing Board of Control fight of the year.

The match took place in near silence – fans were barred because of lockdown. It didn’t matter to the two gladiators who swapped blows through 10 rounds.

By the end, Ted’s nose was bust, Sam’s right eye badly swollen. To this day, the Black Country crowd-pleaser believes he should’ve had his hand raised in victory.

Cheeseman began the better, Eggington imposed his iron will in the later rounds.

The Sun reported: “Ted Cheeseman and Sam Eggington burned down the barn in Eddie Hearn’s back garden in a sensational headliner of his first post-lockdown show.

“The English super-welterweight pair went toe-to-toe in a magnificent clash for little more than reduced purses and bragging rights.”

5, Paul Samuels wrsf 3 Cello Renda, November 13, 2009, Fenton Manor Leisure Complex, Stoke

What a warrior Renda was. This one had everything – including the rarity of a double knockdown.

Renda, cut over the left eye in the first, put Samuels down before both connected with simultaneous left hooks in the second round.

They hit the deck at exactly the same time, prompting commentator Ian Darke to announce: “This could be a new sport – synchronised boxing.”

Both rose on rubber legs, continued to land concussive blows until Samuels prevailed in the third of a scheduled eight rounder.

Pegg said: “It was mental. I was just helping with Cello at that stage, so there wasn’t the same emotional intensity (on my part).

“Watch Hagler and Hearns’ three rounds, then watch Renda and Samuels. Their three rounds are as good, if not better.”