Public pro fight bills return to Cannock

Murray with one of the Excelsior stars, unbeaten Niall Farrell

PUBLIC boxing shows are coming back to Cannock.

They’ll form part of a big year for ambitious promoter Scott Murray, who launched his glitzy Excelsior Sporting Club in 2023. The black-tie club has already attracted big boxing names such as Sam Eggington and Shakan Pitters.

The public shows - and Scott is planning to stage four - will initially also been staged at Scott’s Premier Suite venue.

2024 looks like being huge for the promoter. Scott will also put on four Excelsior dates and plans to unveil the sporting club in London.

With Jon Pegg acting as matchmaker, he seems destined to be a force in the pro game.

Cannock hasn’t seen a pro boxing show since the 1990s. I recall local heavyweight Vance Idiens stopping David Jules at Chase Leisure Centre in 1991.

Back then, the town’s Ron Gray consistently staged top shows in the West Midlands, particularly Wolverhampton Civic Hall, and he is now advising Scott.

The town has its own hope in tall middle Ollie Cooper, who has fought frequently at the Excelsior. But Scott’s expansion of his fight business will provide more opportunities for the region’s boxers.

And he’s already showcased some of the area’s top talents. Birmingham’s Niall Farrell and Nyall Berry have both performed at the Excelsior.

He said: “There’s a big interest in boxing in Cannock – fans just haven’t had a venue to watch pro bills. And it’s booming in surrounding areas, like Dudley and Stafford, as well.”

Scott added: “It’s important for boxers to stay active, Sam Eggington has shown that. My shows will help them stay active.

“And in Jon (Pegg), we have someone with one of the biggest stables of boxers in the country.”