Pompey prospect is next for Benjamin

Kaisee Benjamin…York Hall date with Lucas Ballingall

KAISEE Benjamin, the Birmingham light-welter with KO power, has been given the opportunity to get back in the title mix.

Eastside’s former British title challenger will face highly regarded Lucas Ballingall at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on May 24. I understand an inter-continental title will be on the line.

Ballingall, from Portsmouth, is the younger brother of world class welter Michael McKinson. He’s lost only two of 19 and last July took the English belt by halting Billy Pickles.

The brace of losses have come against good men on points. In 2021, slick Myron Mills beat him over 10 rounds in an earlier English title shot.

In 2020, the 27-year-old travelled to Minsk, Belarus, and dropped an eight rounder to Arslan Magomedov.

Ballingall has won five inside distance, but Benjamin appears to have the greater firepower.

It’s good to see Kaisee, with three losses in 22 bouts, lighting a fire under his career after spells of inactivity which can blunt a boxer’s edge.

The 28-year-old oozes talent, but, at times, seemed guilty of coasting fights. In fact, I’d say he has all the ingredients needed – power, speed, stamina and a solid chin.

A former Midlands champ at welter, he looked destined for big things after scoring a sequence of TV stoppages.

But Kaisee was outpointed by heavy-hitting Dalton Smith in a 2022 British title bid. He followed that by dropping a decision to Irishman Sean McComb for the WBO European belt.

I felt the McComb bout was one Kaisee could – and should – have won with a little more spite and urgency.

After six months out, Kaisee came back with a lack-lustre victory at Cannock’s Excelsior Club. He told me in the dressing room: “That wasn’t the way I wanted it to be. I need to be more active and I need to keep my weight down. I was at my best when I signed for Hennessy Sports and was fighting regularly on TV.”

Last month Benjamin looked more his old self in hammering out a wide points win over tough Berman Sanchez in Telford.

Kaisee has now been given the chance to again gatecrash the party – and he has the tools to beat Ballingall.

Benjamin, when firing on all cyclinders, is a very dangerous proposition for any domestic light-welter.

And he’ll surely be up for this one.