Joe’s Jab – Issue 34 discusses JE Promotions' exciting new signings
Joe ‘The Moroccan Machine’ Elfidh – a two-weight Central Area title contender who shared the ring with English, British, Commonwealth and World champions – is now an emerging promoter with regular shows in Kent and Yorkshire with an expanding roster of talented fighters.
As a promoter, he is single-handedly bringing championship boxing back to the Garden of England and his hometown of Worksop.
He kindly takes time out every week to write an exclusive column to BBN.
New Signings
“JE Promotions has been very busy already so far this year with a plethora of new and talented signings joining the JE family, whilst preparing for our next show in Maidstone in just a weeks time.
I have signed a couple of unbeaten pros, who need a change for the better, as well as some top amateurs.
Two unbeaten pro’s Jack Budge (1-0) and Jack Raines (4-0) have come over to the JE Promotions family after their current setup wasn’t quite working for them. Neither of the lads have had problems with their former managers or trainers, they just needed an alteration in their current setups to help further their careers.
New signings Lenny Fuller, Danny Barrett, Dave Matthews and Aidan Cassidy have all turned over with JE Promotions following decorated amateur careers. These guys are young, fresh and exciting!”
Jack Budge
Record: 1-0
Age: 23
Residence: High Halstow
Division: Featherweight
Amateur Honours: 2008 schoolboys finalist; 2009 schoolboys and CYP semi-finalist; 2010 schoolboys and CYP semi-finalist; 2011 gold medal in international Denmark tournament; 2011 schoolboys and CYP semi-finalist; 2012 ABA’s champion; 2012 Three Nations gold medallist.
Gym: Brompton ABC and Moore’s Gym in Rochester Health Club
Trainer: Billy Beck and Pat Hawley
Next Fight: May 5
“Jack has one of the best amateur pedigrees I have ever seen. As an amateur, he either reached the semis or finals of any competition he entered, winning lots of tournaments and beating some great lads.
He is similar to JE Promotions’ boxer, Luke Gibb, who fights for the British Challenge belt at the end of this month. They both reached the Team GB Development Squad after a decorated amateur career.
Working as a jockey in Lambourn, he had a bad accident and basically broke his face, but he’s now back home in Kent and ready to reignite his career.
He was initially signed to the Sanigars, who have both wished him well since signing with me. I’d like to give my thanks to them and hope that we can get Jack back on one of their shows in the near future.”
Jack Raines
Record: 4-0
Age: 25
Residence: Sittingbourne
Division: Super-featherweight
Amateur Honours: NABC finalist; GBBU British welterweight title (unlicensed).
Gym: Boxers Stable, Longfield
Trainer: John Cole
Next Fight: May 5
“Jack has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride already in the pro ranks. He first debuted at the York Hall in May 2016 under Steve Goodwin, but it didn’t work out for him, so he just had the one fight with them.
He then had his next three fights under James Paisley, which went well for him, but it was not the right structure for him. There’s no animosity or bad feelings towards anyone that our fighters sign from, the boxers are doing what is right for them and their career and we help them to achieve their potential.
We always keep good relations with everyone that we work with.”
Danny Barrett
Record: Debutant
Age: 25
Residence: Stoke (Kent)
Division: Featherweight
Amateur Honours: Haringey Box Cup gold medallist 2016; ABA Under-20’s Novices finalist; Southern Counties champion.
Gym: Paul Wiffen Academy, Rochester
Trainer: Paul Wiffen
Next Fight: May 5
“Danny started out as a kickboxer originally, but he has a great boxing style that’s perfectly suited to the pros.
He’s the first professional boxer to come out of his Medway village in Stoke, and also the only pro in his boxing gym, so he is destined to be a big ticket seller, which is good for him because it means he will be able to fight regularly with that kind of support behind him.”
Aidan Cassidy
Record: Debutant
Age: 25
Residence: Sittingbourne
Division: Light-heavyweight
Amateur Honours: Haringey Box Cup silver medallist, Kent Novice title
Gym: Kent Gloves Boxing Gym
Trainer: Simon Gildea
Next Fight: May 5
“Aidan used to box for Repton, one of the most famous and respected amateur clubs in the country. As a pro, he will be trained at Kent Gloves Boxing Gym under the tutelage of Simon Gildea, with unbeaten stablemates Oli Edwards and Charlie Shane to aid him. He’s in very good company and I expect him to do well.”
Lenny Fuller
Record: Debutant
Age: 23
Residence: Chart Sutton, Maidstone
Division: Middleweight
Amateur Honours: NABC finalist; GBBU British welterweight title (unlicensed); won titles in IBA, EBA and UKBC (unlicensed).
Gym: Combat Sports Academy
Trainer: Lee Page
Next Fight: May 5
“Lenny ‘The Main Man’ Fuller has got everything all set up already in his paid career – he has a big following, has already appeared in the local papers, has generated a lot of interest in his pro debut, has good backing from sponsors, and is already in the best shape of his life, ready for his debut on May 5.”
Dave Matthews
Record: Debutant
Age: 23
Residence: Maidstone
Division: Featherweight
Amateur Honours:
Gym:
Trainer:
Next Fight: May 5
“Dave joins his brother Chris Matthews in the paid ranks, who is eight bouts unbeaten and on the verge of title fights. The brothers are inseparable and they will support each other during their respective pro journeys.”
Make or Break
“The next show in Kent and first JE Promotions event of the year will be on February 24th at Mote Park, Maidstone.
I’m kicking off with a cracker of a show, which is testament to how far the JE Promotions boxers have come.
This time last year, Luke Gibb made his debut after signing with me and now I have got him a British Challenge belt fight exactly 12 months later, which could put his name into the hat for a Southern Area title shot, should he win.
Luke Gibb, I’ve got a lot of faith in because of his outstanding amateur background. He’s 27 now and doesn’t want to be fighting journeyman. He’s already had a six-rounder in his third bout and now he’s stepping up to eight-rounds in his fourth fight.
He’s up against a good kid – Jordan Ellison – who is known for upsetting unbeaten prospects, so he will have to be at his very best, which I’ve now doubt he will be.
The 22-year-old from County Durham comes in off the back of a points win over an undefeated prospect in Colin Day, who was 4-0 before their fight last December.
He stunned an undefeated 8-0 American prospect, Jacob Wooley, 10-months prior to that, and of his eight victories, five have been shock wins over unbeaten fighters with a combined record of 30-0-1.
Ray Askew and I have put Luke in with him specifically because we believe in him to win.
There’s another top British Challenge belt fight topping the bill, and each one promises to be a barnstormer.
Two-time Southern Area title contender Martin Hillman (10-4) and Tom McGinley (4-1) battle it out for the vacant super-bantamweight strap.
I manage both Hillman and McGinley, so it’s risky for me to put them in together knowing that one has to lose.
They are both super talented and ambitious, so it’s time for them to both step up and fight 50-50 bouts that mean something because they’re not novice pros anymore.
I’ve always liked the lighter weights because its so much more skilful and the fights can go to toe-to-toe. It’s too hard to say who wins, it can genuinely can go one way or the other.
Independent fans that aren’t specifically associated with either fighter have been saying it’s a cracking fight.
The winner will go on to the Southern Area title next and it’s a shame this fight isn’t for the Southern Area title itself because it’d be a worthy fight.
The undercard is just as exciting as the two headlining fights, it’s set to be the best show yet!
Four unbeaten prospects return to the ring – super-featherweight Chris Matthews (8-0); British Challenge belt super-middleweight champion Charlie Shane (5-0); Chatham’s record-breaking amateur star Jordan Dennis (3-0); and newest JE Promotions recruit Jack Raines (4-0)."
Rising Stars
"My March 10th show in Worksop is getting matched up now.
Hatfield’s Kyle Fox (4-0) takes on Hyde’s Dale Arrowsmith in a six-rounder as we look to move him into contention for the Central Area title this year.
Heavyweight Mark Bennett (1-0); super-lightweight Sonny Price (1-0); and bantamweight Chris Reyes (1-0) will all be looking to double their win tallies as they look to build their winning records this year.
Popular Darren Snow (5-19-1) has never lost a fight at the North Notts Arena, and he brings a big crowd with him every time and always entertains.
Omari Grant (4-0); Sahib Mann (5-0); Jordan McLoughlin (2-1) are all also appearing on the show, courtesy of Scott Calow."