Scott edges towards an English title shot

Scott Melvin…hoping for an English title eliminator

SCOTT “Terrier” Melvin is a young prospect straining at the leash.

The Chelmsley Wood lightweight, who possesses raw power, a boxing brain and razor-sharp reflexes, looks one of the most exciting prospects on the Midlands scene.

He’s peeled off seven wins, with the only defeat coming over three rounds – and on split decision – against Dylan Cheema in last year’s televised Ultimate Boxxer tournament. Cheema went on to win the competition, gain the big cash prize and claim the headlines.

Scott, father to a young son, was designated to the sidelines.

That defeat burns inside Melvin, he hungers for revenge.

Melvin, who sets a frantic pace in contests, is back in action on March 11 at Coventry’s Sport Connexion. Those behind the 22-year-old are attempting to make the contest a 10 round English title eliminator, though nothing has been finalised.

“We wanted a Midlands title fight,” said Melvin, “but no one will fight me at 9st 9lbs. I’m excited about next month’s fight, I want 10 rounds, I think the longer distance will let me set traps. I like to read opponents.

“I could make super-feather, but I’m comfortable at lightweight and the power is there.

“I’ve had to fight bigger men. My debut was against an opponent who weighed 10st 7lbs (Dylan Draper). I knocked him out and nobody had knocked him out before.”

I was at ringside for that pro baptism. Melvin exploded on the pro scene, starching Draper in double quick time.

He is a young man not short on confidence.

Melvin has the amateur pedigree to make a mark. He had around 70 unpaid bouts for Birmingham Irish, then Eastside, won eight Midland titles, took the East Midlands Cup and represented England.

“I had so much energy as a child,” said Scott, “I had so much anger. I told my dad I wanted to box and as soon as I put the gloves on I fell in love with the sport.

“Boxing is my life. I have a girlfriend who supports me because she knows how much it means to me.”

Scott’s progress has been followed by a noisy contingent of Birmingham City fans – and that Blue army of supporters are set for some memorable nights.

“I’m bringing the Lonsdale Belt back to Birmingham, minimum, 100 per cent,” said Scott. “I know how I feel, right now no one will beat me. I feel I can win a world title.”

But someone has beaten him – Coventry’s Cheema – and that loss haunts Melvin. Quite rightly. He won the first, then inexplicably took workrate down a few gears, allowing Cheema to steal points.

He craves for a Cheema rematch, but Dylan, receiving the red carpet treatment following his tournament win, is unlikely to risk all against the dangerous Birmingham fighter.

Melvin said: “That will remain the best win of his (Cheema’s) career, mark my words. I took my eyes off the ball. For me, I’d beaten the most dangerous fighter in the competition (Melvin outpointed fellow Eastside fighter, unbeaten Tion Gibbs in Ultimate Boxxer’s opening encounter).

“I thought it (the bout against Cheema) was going to be so easy. I was too relaxed.”

Melvin paid a heavy price for underestimating an opponent. It won’t happen again, he stressed.

At this stage, he looks a very hot prospect. For him, the future is bright, the future is blue. Bluenose Blue.