Maidstone show 'Back with a Bang' promises fireworks
Boxing Connected have an incredible night of boxing lined up on the quadrennial date of February 29 at Mote Park in Maidstone, featuring Ultimate Boxxer super-welterweight finalist Lenny Fuller (9-1) who takes a daring leap up in class in the headlining fight against former WBA Fedebol champion Berman Sanchez (29-12-3).
Also in action are five unbeaten prospects, a Southern Area champion, and an exciting debutant.
The ‘Gypsy Warrior’, Lenny Fully, will clash with the experienced Central American champion over eight rounds at welterweight, as he aims to continue his class that saw him reach the Ultimate Boxer super-welterweight finals last September.
The 25-year-old from Chart Sutton in Kent, trained by Lee Page, scored the quickest KO of the tournament within 32 seconds over unbeaten Kingsley Egbunike (4-0), he then followed that up with a unanimous points decision against Southern Area title contender Joshua Ejakpovi (13-1) in the semi’s, and battled bravely against Rio 2016 Olympian Steven Donnelly (7-0) in the final, but was halted in the second round, suffering his first and only defeat since turning pro in 2018.
He quickly bounced back with a four-round shutout points win over MJ Hall (2-46-2) just a few weeks later in November on an MTK Global show at his stomping ground in Mote Park to get straight back to winning ways.
His 11th opponent hails from Nicaragua but now resides in Spain. ‘La Cobra’ kicked off his pro career in 2002 with six straight stoppage wins and only lost two from his first 25 fights, and has clocked up 21 KO’s from 29 victories.
The 36-year-old Central American won the WBA Fedebol super-featherweight title in his 30th contest and has shared the ring with current pound-for-pound superstar Miguel Berchelt (37-1) and three-weight world champion Jorge Linares (46-5) in back to back contests.
His last four wins have all ended early, the most recent of which coming in May last year, so Fuller has a fight on his hands as he aims to make a statement of intent in his first fight of 2020.
Speaking exclusively to British Boxing News, he said, “I watched him fight at York Hall [against Louis Greene] last November and you see someone and know they’re good but you know you can beat them.
“He’s been in with elite world level fighters – not just world level, but elite world level. It gives you a massive boost knowing that.”
After narrowly missing out on winning the Ultimate Boxxer 5 tournament, Fuller is adamant that 2020 is the year for titles.
“I watch loads of Southern Area and English level boys and, to be honest, I’m ready for those fights now. I’m only trying to prove my point and show people how good I can be.”
Co-Feature
Another Ultimate Boxxer finalist joins Fuller on the show – former Southern Area titlist and English title contender Grant Dennis (14-2).
The middleweight from Chatham also scored a stoppage in the quarters of the tournament, followed by a UD win in the semis, just like Fuller, but his defeat in the final to Derrick Osaze (now 10-0) came via a close mixed decision.
In his first fight back from a shoulder injury, he tackles North Londoner Jordan ‘The Brown Eagle’ Grannum (5-69-2) over four rounds.
The 27-year-old journeyman has never been stopped in his 76-fight career so will provide the ‘Go-Getter’ with a stern test on his ring return.
Undercard
Super-lightweight Brooklyn Tilley(1-0) and Jimmy Peckham(1-0) both made their debuts together on Boxing Connected’s last show at Mote Park in September 2019 and now they swap their opponents around for their next fights.
Rainham’s 19-year-old boxing prospect, Tilley, trains with Lee Page and Lenny Fuller, and will go in against Langold’s Luke Middleton (2-9), who Peckham defeated previously on points.
Known as ‘El Chapo’, 24-year-old Peckham will face Carl Turny (0-11), the man who Tilley conquered 40-38 on points last time out.
Three-time Southern Area title contender Martin Hillman (13-6) is back to action after only fighting two weeks before Christmas.
He has already promised fans an exciting fight with Batley’s Nabil Ahmed (0-7) over four-rounds at super-bantamweight.
He said, “Only one week ‘til fight night. I’m coming straight out fast and hard for this fight, my opponent has an aggressive style so we gonna’ meet him with some bombs and knock him back!
Should make an exciting fight!”
Unbeaten super-middleweight Charlie Shane(8-0) also gets back to the ring quickly, having only fought on the last weekend in November last year. Unfortunately, for ‘The Animal’, it was his only appearance during 2019, so he will be raring to go against former Central Area middleweight champion Darryl Sharp (5-71-1) in order to kickstart his 2020 title campaign.
Both boxers are southpaws and this could be one of the best fights of the night!
Light-heavyweight ‘Bomber’ Paul Brown (4-0), 30 from Ramsgate, is another aggressive southpaw, like Shane, who only fought once in 2019 and wants to get the momentum going again. His opponent has yet to be named.
Southern Area title contender Jack Budge (4-1) returns for the first time since his only loss to Ramez Mahmood last September. His fight with ‘The Mathemagician’ was for the Southern Area featherweight title, but Budge had already forfeited his right to contest the belt when he weighed in 2lbs over the limit.
Debutant Kieran Spice will have a four-rounder against an opponent yet to be confirmed.
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