Promoter Joe Elfidh shares his 'Wish List' for the ever-expanding JE Promotions stable during 2018
Former pro Joe "The Morroccan Machine Elfidh has established an exciting, talented stable of boxers since its humble beginnings back in 2015. With Southern and Central Area champions in their roster, an English title contender, and British and International Challenge Belt champions, plus many unbeaten prospects, the team are all looking ahead to successful year, and here's what Joe has in store for them in 2018:
South Division
Grant "Go-Getter" Dennis, 34, (10-1) Southern Area middleweight champion BOXREC
“We are looking for the English title rematch for Grant next, as there’s unfinished business with Elliot Matthews. We are also open to a fight with Joe Mullender when he defends his IBF European title in March, as well as challenging Tommy Langford for his British title.”
Chris Matthews, 23, (8-0) Maidstone, Kent Unbeaten super-featherweight BOXREC
“Chris has surprised everybody as a pro and continues to improve with every fight. He looks every bit a professional boxer now, his last few performances have been very controlled and neat. He’ll be stepping up to eight-rounds after one last six-rounder in February.”
Dave Jones, 36, (8-0-1) Queenborough, Kent International Challenge Belt champion BOXREC
“Dave had a great learning fight with Dorian Darch last October where he climbed off the canvas to rescue a draw. He’s still unbeaten and we’ll be looking for a big fight in 2018.”
Martin Hillman, 27, (10-4) Sidcup, Kent Two-time Southern Area title contender, British Challenge Belt champion BOXREC
“Martin challenged twice for the Southern Area title, so we are still looking to land that belt. British Challenge belt fight next on February 24th against Tom McGinley, only 50-50 fights from now on for Martin. The victor of the next fight will go on to Southern Area honours next.”
Georgie Wright, 23, (4-3) Loughton, Essex Super-lightweight BOXREC
“Georgie is only young still so the plan is to stay active and to keep learning."
Oli Edwards, 23, (6-0) Sheerness, Kent Unbeaten middleweight BOXREC
“Injury-free now so the plan is to keep Oli active, keep building up the wins, and move up to longer rounds.”
Charlie "D'Animal" Shane*, 26, (5-0) Chatham, Kent British Challenge Belt champion BOXREC
“Charlie is an aggressive, exciting fighter. We are looking at fast-tracking him after winning the British Challenge belt in his last fight. Hoping to challenge for the Southern Area super-middleweight belt sometime in the year. Next fight is on February 24th in Maidstone in a six-rounder against Justin Johnson.”
Luke "Gibbo" Gibb, 28, (3-0) Bexleyheath, Kent Unbeaten super-lightweight BOXREC
“Ex-Team GB boxer so has an outstanding amateur pedigree. He gave it all up to have a paid career when the amateur scene wasn't paying the bills, but he's come back with a bang, winning all three fights last year, finishing the year on a six-rounder so he can fight for the British Challenge belt fight against Jordan Ellison on February 24th in Maidstone. Providing he wins that then we will be looking for the Southern Area belt next.”
Jack Raines, 25, (4-0) Sittingbourne, Kent Unbeaten super-featherweight BOXREC
“Jack is JE Promotions’ newest signing. He’s going to be fighting for the first time in his home county as a pro on February 24th after previously fighting in London and Essex. He has a decent amateur background behind him, unbeaten as a pro and re-energised since signing, so we shall be keeping him busy during 2018 and get him up the rankings towards title contention.”
Tom McGinley*, 30, (4-1) Chelmsford, Essex Super-featherweight BOXREC
“Scored a peach of a knockout in his last fight to set up a shot at the British Challenge belt next. If he wins that, he goes on to fight for the Southern Area title.”
Danny “The Real Deal” Shannon,27, (2-5-1) Chatham, Kent Middleweight BOXREC
“Danny is looking at coming back to the pro ranks this year, so we will be looking at guiding him with the right fights at the right time.”
James Chiericato*, 29, (4-2-1) Whitstable, Kent Super-featherweight BOXREC
“The plan for James this year is to simply stay active and injury-free.”
Ricky Leach, 27, (3-25-1) Margate, Kent Super-bantamweight BOXREC
“Ricky will have a hone fight on February 24th to hopefully record another win on his record. The plan is to keep fighting on the road and staying safe.”
Zeki Hussein, 31, (0-1) Gillingham, Kent Lightweight BOXREC
“Zeki is coming back to give it another go. He lost on his debut over three years ago, but with JE Promotions guiding him, he’ll do well. We’ll stack up the wins, keep him active and take it from there.”
Paul “Bomber” Brown, 28, (Debutant) Margate, Kent Light-heavyweight BOXREC
“Going to introduce Paul to the pro ranks this year and hopefully get to 4-0 by end of the year. First fight is on February 24 in Maidstone against Richard Harrison.”
Lenny “The Main Man” Fuller, 23, (Debutant) Maidstone, Kent
“There’s a lot of excitement around Lenny already and he only signed with us late last year. He had a limited amater career with Westry ABC and switched todes to win titles in the unlicensed. He’ll be kept busy and hopefully reach 4-0 by end of the year.”
Sam Stone, 28, (Debutant) Chatham, Kent Light-heavyweight
"Introducing Sam to the pro's, first of all. Same as any debutant, keep active, stay unbeaten, rack up the wins and then look to step up to six-rounds next year."
Kurt Johnson, 30, (Debutant) Greenhithe, Kent Heavyweight
“It’s been a long and frustrating road to Kurt’s debut fight in the pro’s, but he’ll make up for lost time when he finally gets there. He’s a talented guy and I expect him to do really well. Although he’s only had one amateur fight, he has competed professionally in MMA, Thai-boxing and K-1.”
North Division
Kyle Fox, 24, (4-0) Doncaster, Yorkshire Unbeaten super-welterweight BOXREC
“The plan is to step Kyle up to six-rounders this year, try to build his undefeated record to get in line for a shot at the Central Area title. His next fight is on March 10 at the North Notts Arena.”
Hassan “The Hurricane” Ahmed (7-0) Sheffield, Yorkshire Unbeaten super-bantamweight
“Probably looking for domestic titles for Hassan very soon. He got out last September to shake the ring rust off a three-year hiatus. After his next fight, we could well look at the winner of Brad Watson and Craig Derbyshire fighting for the Central Area super-flyweight title in March.”
Richard Thomas, 32, (5-1) Doncaster, Yorkshire Central Area super-middleweight champion BOXREC
“He’s won the Central Area title when he wasn’t expected to win last July. He’s taken some time out since then due to work commitments, but will expect to see him back in the ring early this year in a six-rounder before deciding what to do next.”
Andy White, 28, (2-1) Worksop, Yorkshire Light-heavyweight BOXREC
“He’ll be boxing on March 10 at North Notts Arena after clearing his medicals, finally. He’s keen to make his comeback after two years out – his last fight was March 2016.”
Darren Snow, 35, (5-19-1) Dinnington, Yorkshire Light-heavyweight BOXREC
“He’s going to have as many fights as he can in this year. He loves the lifestyle, loves being in the gym and around boxing. He’s just got his trainer’s licence and turned someone over to the pros already, so good luck to him in that next endeavour.”
Bart Ski (Debutant) Worksop, Yorkshire Middleweight
“He's a former three-time national amateur champion from Poland. He's due back in the gym with trainer Michael White this week, and we'll look to get his debut done then keep him busy for the year.”
Mark “Bad News” Bennett, 30, (1-0) Edlington, Yorkshire Unbeaten heavyweight BOXREC
“We’ll try to get Mark climbing up the rankings this year in a tough but exciting and lucrative division. Next fight is on March 10 at North Notts Arena.”
Sonny Price, 21 (1-0) Sheffield, Yorkshire Unbeaten super-lightweight BOXREC
“Only had one fight, so far, in November last year. We’ll try to keep him moving on, keep him undefeated for the year, to hopefully end 2018 around 6-0.”
Chris “Razor” Reyes, 24 (1-0) Dinnington, Yorkshire Bantamweight BOXREC
“Exciting talent from the Phillipines who we shall try to move along quickly, especially as he operates in a lower weight category where there’s fewer active fighters. The aim is to fast-track Chris to titles in 2018.”
Law “Kamikaze Kid” H’too, 23 (Debutant) Sheffield, Yorkshire Featherweight
“Law trains at Lower Manor Gym with Hassan Ahmed, Steve Barnes and, previously, Liam Cameron, so he has some good, experienced pro’s to learn from.”