Danny 'The Real Deal' Shannon returns to the ring with JE Promotions after three-year gap
Super-middleweight Danny ‘The Real Deal’ Shannon (2-6-1) has signed new contracts with JE Promotions after a three-year hiatus from boxing between 2015-2018.
The 27-year-old from Chatham returns to fight on the road as well as at home shows in Maidstone, aiming to land a British Challenge belt this year and to challenge for a Southern Area strap next year.
“I’ve been signed with Joe [Elfidh] before and the contract ran out and I stopped boxing due to family life and work commitments etcetera,” Shannon shrugged. “I re-signed with JE Promotions straightaway because I trust Joe because he’s a mate.”
Shannon explained his motives for returning to the ring now, “I missed it, I love the sport, and seeing people around me doing well makes me want to be up there as well. I’ve stayed in the gym the whole time, so I’m fit and ready to go.”
The former Southern Counties amateur champion squeezed in eight fights in eight months between his debut in May 2014 to January 2015 against opposition with a combined record of 35-1-2.
After over 70 amateur fights and reaching three national finals, the ‘Upsetter’ debuted against then-unbeaten Aston ‘The Assassin’ Jolly (2-0) in his back yard at the Doncaster Dome, taking him to a draw. Jolly went on to challenge for the Central Area title, when unbeaten in eight fights, against Matthew Mallin, losing out on lifting the belt by just one point.
Shannon went on to lose points decisions on the road to future Southern Area super-welterweight champion Ben Hall (1-0) – who’s last fight was with Carson Jones – and the recent International Challenge belt champion Qasim Niaz (4-0), who is now unbeaten in 11 bouts.
His first victory came in his fourth fight, four months after his debut, with a points win over John Hutchinson (5-1-2) in Birmingham’s Villa Park, who went on to fight for WBC Asian Continental middleweight title after going on a seven-fight winning streak following his loss to Shannon.
Another win came in the same month against unbeaten Joe Daly (2-0) via a third-round stoppage at the Hermitage Leisure Centre in Whitwick in September 2014.
Less than three months later, the Kent puncher was on the other end of a stoppage decision to James Metcalf (7-0) at the Liverpool Olympia, when the heavy-handed Liverpudlian, known as ‘Kid Shamrock’, broke Shannon’s jaw in the sixth and final round.
The last fight before his sabbatical was in January 2015 against Kilrain Kelly (12-0), who ended the year as a World title contender.
Shannon has already had his first fight back last March against debutant Jamie Mitchell in Manchester, which ended in the third-round on a technical decision due to being unable to continue on a cut.
His next fight is against Sam Horsfall (1-0) on May 19 at Woodside Leisure Centre in Watford on a British Warriors Boxing event.
“I’ve always boxed on the road and been successful,” he enthused. “Realistically, I’d like to fight more than ten times per year.
“I was Joe’s [Elfidh] first ever fighter that signed to him in 2014 and we just jumped straight on the road to fight!
“Joe used to train me back then but I’m with Ray Askew and Sam Latham at the Invicta Gym in Sheerness now. I’ve obviously come back with the same promoter, but just a new team and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in my life.
“I’m sparring with Lenny Fuller [a 1-0 super-welterweight also signed to JE Promotions] and [former pro] Mick Mills has been helping me a lot he’s got his own gym called Four Corners in Chatham.
“I’m a whole new different fighter, completely new me, new team around me and I believe I can win the Southern Area title and upwards.
“I’m a journeyman, I like fighting out my depth in the away corner, but in my next home fight I’m hoping to fight for a Challenge belt.”
For tickets to the next JE Promotions show, visit https://www.facebook.com/JEsportsnetwork/ or call 07883 943994
JE Promotions would like to thank Kent Trade Frames – Campbell Nutrition – Swerve City – Basement159 – RoofDec – 1ClickPrint – Invicta Gym and PR Manager Tim Rickson