JE Boxing is the only professional boxing platform in Kent, owned by Joe ‘The Moroccan Machine’ Elfidh – a two-weight Central Area title contender who shared the ring with English, British, Commonwealth and World champions.
As a promoter, he is single-handedly bringing big-time boxing back to the Garden of England and his hometown of Worksop.
Welcome to his weekly column – exclusive to BBN.
Postponement announcment
Two failed medicals has meant that I’ve had to postpone the next show planned for July 1st in Worksop, for now.
I’ve worked hard to ensure that most the other lads have still got a fight after their months of training and hard work.
Rod Smith, Kyle Fox and Chris Reyes will be appearing on Dennis Hobson’s July 29th show in Sheffield instead.
Next Kent show planned for October
I’ve set a date for next Maidstone show in Kent – October 7th.
The shows are always sold out and the boxers on the bill are building big followings.
Unbeaten heavyweight Dave Jones (8-0) will be back in action after returning with a win against Czech heavyweight contender Tomas Mrazek (10-62-6) on points over six-rounds. It was his first fight back from injury after almost a full year out.
Dave, 35-years-old from Queenborough, is a British Challenge belt winner and has already triumphed over a Midlands Area champion when he beat Paul Butlin (16-20-1) on points in March 2015.
So, we are looking at stepping him now that the time is right towards the Southern Area heavyweight title. I’m hoping to give him a significant fight next, hopefully as a final eliminator for the Southern Area belt.
We were offered good money for a big fight on TV against a top prospect but turned it down because I want to bring him on and take those big fights at the right time. Other managers could have looked at the money on offer and grabbed it with both hands but I put my fighters and their careers first, always.
The fight on offer was not right for now but perhaps in a year’s time with a few more wins under his belt and then we’ll look to consider it again.
Martin Hillman will be back in a six-rounder, just looking to get him back in the swing of things with a win. After losing two Southern Area title fights, we will get him back with a confidence boost then look towards another Southern Area title shot soon.
Jamie Chiericato (4-2-1), from Whitstable, will be back after a long injury. He had to have surgery on his shoulder after his last fight but he’s fully recovered now and ready to get back to the ring.
I might look at getting Luke Gibb (2-0) a six-threes fight as well, but only if his trainer Ray Askew agrees. He’s a former Team GB boxer and has a very good schooling so will be looking to push him on to titles quickly.
Essex featherweight Tom McGinley (3-1) will be out again, just keeping busy for now, building up the wins. He lost his debut by one point, but has reeled off three straight wins since.
Chatham’s Charlie Shane and Maidstone’s Chris Matthews are both stepping up to six-rounds next.
22-year-old super-featherweight Chris Matthews (7-0) got a points win over Croatian Antonio Horvatic (10-37) despite having injured his right arm after a slip.
Southpaw Charlie Shane, 25-years-old from Chatham, beat heavier opponent Curtis Gargano (0-35-1) in his last fight, after his original opponent dropped out the day.
Both kids showed their worth by overcoming adversity and the each had to box clever in their fights – one incapacitated with an injured arm, the other against an opponent a stone heavier – so they are ready to step up now.
Grant Dennis on the verge of a big title fight
My unbeaten middleweight from Kent, Grant Dennis, is looking at his next fight soon.
I have spoken to TV promoters to try and get him out there on a big show so we are working hard to get him a fight.
We are looking at Joe Mullender (10-2) for the English middleweight title. ‘Smokin’ Joe’ won the English belt by outpointing Lee Markham in their rematch on June 2nd.
Grant is willing to fight Mullender on his terms in his home town whenever they want to accept the fight, so let’s get it on!
Grant was told to be on standby for the Mullender v Markham fight in case of an injury to either of the fighters, he could have stepped in to fill the gap. We were told we could fight the winner of that fight but now no one’s answering the phone right now to get it signed.
When Southern Area middleweight champion Nicky Jenman didn’t want to fight Grant, I put an application forward to the Board to make him the mandatory opponent and that worked so hopefully the same thing will happen for the English title.
It takes two seconds to answer and phone and say either yes or no, I’m really not interested in the bullshit, I just want it done or not done.
I’ll be working on a lot of stuff in the off-season coming up just basically getting things planned out for next season. I’ll be telling my guys what the plans are and when we plan to step it up and what routes to take.
It’s always positive yet realistic plans to best suit their levels and long-term careers.
For tickets to the next show, visit https://www.facebook.com/JEsportsnetwork/ or call 07883 943994
JE Promotions would like to thank Kent Trade Frames – Campbell Nutrition – Invicta Gym – Fighting Fit Gym – Roofdec – 1ClickPrint and Media Officer Tim Rickson