Traie is being tipped for title laden future

Traie Duberry signs pro forms with Anthony Manning

KNOWLEDGABLE insiders – experts with no allegiance to the fighter and stable – are telling me Traie Duberry is one to watch, one for the future.

The Aston cruiserweight has certainly made an explosive start to his pro career. He won his debut in a round, had to settle for a four rounds points decision in his second outing and, last time out, I watched him blast out Bosnian Admir Oglic in two.

Traie certainly looks the part. He’s an imposing physical specimen with an Evander Holyfield like muscled build.

Is he a British champ in waiting? Frankly, it’s too early to make a prediction and I’ll know more when the 28-year-old faces fighters with winning records.

Traie’s ring apprenticeship continues on manager Anthony Manning’s nine bout bill at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, on May 4.

Matching the boxer, who comes with a fine amateur pedigree, is proving difficult as his reputation for destruction grows.

“They are not really jumping to fight him,” said Manning. “I make the phone calls, I make the offers and they want silly money, £4,000.”

No opponent has been named for the Eastside show, but I understand Krzysztof Stawiarski, from Poland, is a front-runner for the scheduled six rounder.

He sports a modest record of three wins in 11, but may be better than the statistics suggest. In February Stawiarski outpointed Watford’s Anees Taj who had won seven of 11 going into the contest.

Manning admits Duberry, who has already caught the eye of major promoters, needs more rounds under his belt before fighting for titles. But it’s not too far away.

“I know he has the talent,” said Manning, “but he’s still a bit eager. He has all the attributes to do it in his own time rather than chasing time.

“He needs a bit more experience, he just needs to get the rounds in. In sparring, he is giving everyone a run for their money. I’d like to see him fight for a title by the end of this year or early next. Either way, it’s less than a year away.”

Simon Ibekwe…finding opponents is proving difficult

If matching Duberry has proved a headache for Manning, finding opponents for his heavyweight Simon Ibekwe appears to be a nightmare.

His last two bouts have been scuppered by pull-outs – one on the very night of the show.

That’s a shame because Ibekwe, trained by Malcolm Melvin, looks a very useful addition to the pro game.

The Redditch boxer has already shown courage and ability. He came through a tough debut, outpointing Lamah Griggs, then overwhelmed Jake Darnell in two.

Ibekwe, 28, is down to fight Darren Sealy on May 4 and should make it a hat-trick of victories. The Croydon fighter’s sole pro outing saw him outpointed by Phil Williams.

Williams has won six of 61 (one draw).

“The problem is the heavyweight division is such a small pond,” said Manning. Ibekwe wants to fight decent lads, decent lads don’t want to take the risk against him.

Manning added: “I had a lad scheduled to fight Simon, but he sparred Anthony Joshua in the week of the fight and damaged his ribs.

“I think Simon is at a decent level and will be in some good fights. He looks one to watch and I’m excited by the way he’s developing under Malcolm and the direction he’s taking.”