Serious beef - that’s Harris and Ibekwe for the Midlands title

Matty Harris poses with Anthony Joshua

ANOTHER month, another dream pairing from the Board of Control’s Midlands Council.

And it’s one that carries serious beef. Coventry’s thunderous punching Matty Harris has been paired with unbeaten Simon Ibekwe for the vacant Midlands belt.

That’s a shot at real redemption for man mountain Matty who looked on course for very big things, with four of his first five wins coming inside a round and a deal with leading promoters Wasserman in the bag. He grabbed national headlines and Channel 5 couldn’t get enough of the wrecking ball action he provided.

Then came a dramatic fifth round loss to Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko that raised doubts. After toppling his man, Matty appeared to run out of steam.

The likeable 24-year-old, now trained by Peter Fury, has bounced back with two wins since the July, 2023, defeat. Last time out he flattened Yury Bykhautsou in two rounds.

That’s the carnage fans expect from the 6ft 8ins colossus.

But Ibekwe represents a step up for Matty – and, of course, the bout depends on purse bids being lodged for the scheduled 10 rounder.

I think Wasserman and Channel 5 will want the bout. It’s has “thriller” written all over it.

Manager Max McCracken said: “It’s a good fight and one we’re confident of winning. It’s one that moves the winner up. Matty is coming on and improving all the time.

“Since he’s had that slip-up, he’s knuckled down in training and working hard. He’s an enormous man, he’s fit and powerful. If he stays in condition, I think he can achieve big things.”

Simon Ibekwe…unbeaten and hungry for titles

Simon, managed by Anthony Manning, has had only three contests, but hits hard and is brave.

Redditch based, Birmingham trained, the 28-year-old believes he’s also destined for big things. Simon told me: “I see no limits. I know for a fact I’m one of the best in the UK and I’ll go as far as I can push myself.

“I’ve had three fights and I have a lot more to show. The better the opponent, the more you’ll see. The only realistic goal I’ve set myself is being in big nights and big fights.”

In truth, they’re two big, ambitious men still learning the ropes. That’s what makes the match so intriguing.

According to the Board of Control bulletin, a deadline of September 29 has been set for purse bids, with the fights taking place by the end of January.

Matty’s journey to date has certainly been eventful. He turned over after only five amateur contests and immediately grabbed the spotlight through a slew of spectacular stoppages.

Then came Dovbyshchenko and the nature of that loss was concerning.

Dropped in the second, the rock chinned East European came back to halt a fighter who had simply stopped throwing punches. Matty appeared spent.

Naturally, the alarm bells rang.

Matty seemed to sum up his own dilemma when telling reporters: “Having the power punching ability, being able to knock someone out with a single shot - that's a gift but it can also be a curse.

"Because I can hit so hard, it's easy to neglect boxing ability.”

When Harris and Ibekwe collide, expect the pavements around the chosen area to shudder.