Woodall back with tough Polish battle
Steed Woodall…a fighter who oozes ability
FOR former outstanding amateur Steed Woodall – a fighter tipped for very big things – the pro game in Britain has been beyond frustrating.
A promotional deal with Frank Warren failed to bear fruit and the super-middle endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken leg.
On Saturday, in the unlikely setting of the G2A Arena in Rzeszow, Poland, the 28-year-old has the chance to put the bad times behind him and get his show back on the road. A torch needs to be lit under his career.
“The Stallion” faces Glasgow’s Boris Crighton over eight rounds on a Boxxer bill televised by Sky.
The victory is certainly not a given. Crighton took Lyndon Arthur the full, 10 round distance last month and peeled off a win only days ago.
He’s active, while Woodall, in contrast, has been confined to two fights in as many years – the most recent, a one round stoppage last July.
What’s more, Crighton, who has lost only two of 13, can bang, with seven opponents despatched inside-distance.
Steed’s long-time trainer Paul “Soggy” Counihan said: “It’s a 50-50 fight, it’s a risky shot – this is a proper, tough light-heavy. As long as we win – we’ve got to give it our best shot.”
That is what’s needed to kick-start a career that has been near dormant for too long.
Woodall, an outstanding, Eastside amateur who reached the quarter-finals of the worlds, has an interesting cover story as a pro.
He actually “turned over” in America back in 2014 and made his mark. Steed lost only one of 17 – and that came against world class Steve Rolls in a bid for the North American title.
Poster for the surprise shot in Poland
Since returning to Birmingham from the States, where he had his last fight in 2017, the pickings have been slim: one bout at Villa’s Holte Suite, another at Planet Ice, Solihull. A combined five rounds.
His stats are impressive: one loss in 19 (one draw), 11 early endings.
Counihan said: “I’ve had Steed since he was 12. Since he’s been back here, he’s hardly been active at all. He was with Frank Warren and that didn’t play out well, then he broke his leg…
“He’s had two fights. We’ve sat down and I’ve said that’s nowhere near good enough. Last year we got offered Dan Azeez, said yes, but nothing came of it. People may look at him and think it’s too much of a gamble.
“I think he can still make it, everyone at Eastside thinks he can still make it. Ideally, I’d like him to fight at super-middle, but we’ll take anyone at light-heavy.”
Woodall is again in business and itching to show the fight public what they’ve been missing. The Stallion is back at full gallop!