Top Boxer - the full line-up announced
Dylan Norman…the Knowle boxer will be among the favourites
THE line-up for Tommy Owens’ blockbuster Top Boxer lightweight tournament is now complete.
And what a night the September 9 show, at Solihull’s Planet Ice, is shaping up to be. An evening dedicated to the lightweight division is topped by the mouth-watering Midlands title fight between Scott Melvin and Mykey Lee Broughton.
What’s more, former outstanding amateur Niall Farrell chases his third paid win at the rink.
The Top Boxer format guarantees thrills – Tommy’s first competition, for welterweights, proved that.
Eight hopefuls will battle it out in three round bouts until only one – a competitor who will have boxed three times on the night – is left. For that winner, a career best payday and fast-track to a Midlands title shot awaits.
Those taking the gamble in Top Boxer – and anything can happen in a bout lasting just nine minutes – include Knowle’s relentless Dylan Norman. The 23-year-old, trained by Wayne Elcock, has won four on the spin as a pro and is emerging as one to watch.
He said: “I think the competition will be a great vehicle to really put myself on the map. I think Birmingham has some of the best young lightweights in the country, so to win would be a real statement.
“I’m not looking at any particular opponent. I’m training to be the best me on the night. So far, people have only seen 40 per cent of my capability. This is my chance to show a lot more.”
Louis Fielding (right)…brings the most experience to the ring
Tamworth’s Louis Fielding will be the most experienced in Top Boxer by a long chalk. The 33-year-old has had three Midlands title fights in an 18 fight career (eight losses).
Black Country Boxing Promotions Ryan Griffiths has also thrown his hat into the ring after two pro bouts, both wins.
In a recent interview, the Dudley 22-year-old told me: “I come from a boxing and kick-boxing background. I’m a left-hander with the ability to switch, to work from both stances.
“I’ve got a bit of backing and I’ve got myself a few sponsors.”
Ryan Griffiths (right)…unbeaten after two pro starts
He added: “Every boxer’s dream is to fight for a world title, but it’s one step at a time, one fight at a time and see what comes.”
DJ Tollerton, from Lincoln, could be one to watch in the competition. The 22-year-old, dubbed The Body Snatcher, is unbeaten in three, all on points, all over the four round distance.
BCB’s unbeaten Daniel Williams has the makings of being Top Boxxer’s dark horse. From Hereford, Dan has won both his four rounders on points. At 34, he’s the oldest of the eight hopefuls.
Leicester’s Seb Simmonds has taken the plunge. He’ll be looking to make a statement after drawing his debut, against Karl Sampson, in May. Interestingly, Sampson went on to lose to Ryan Griffiths – but this is Top Boxer: over three rounds the form book goes out of the window.
Delmar Thomas, from Nottingham, is looking to re-ignite his career through the competition. The 27-year-old is on a three bout losing streak and will have been out of the ring for a year when the Top Boxer bell rings.
Poster to announce the full, explosive line-up
Walsall’s Darnell Duut comes into the competition with only one pro bout under his belt – and that was a draw in February, 2022.
Duut will be considered a rank outsider, but, remember, February’s welter Top Boxer was won by a real underdog in Telford’s Kirk Stevens.
The blue touchpaper has been lit. It’s now a case of simply standing back and waiting for the explosion!
As Tommy Owens said: “This show is not to be missed, there’s going to be fireworks.”
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